Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
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Those are probably Crystal Mounts which my father and I (as a child) used long ago. One problem with the mounts is the gum was not strong and some people used scotch tape to affix the mount to the page and that gum is bad for stamps. So if you see any yellowing then I would remove them (as I think you indicated).
The plastic in these mounts can get brittle and it is probably not safe long term for archival purposes, but given the length of time they have probably been in the mounts already, its probably not something you need to address in a hurry. If the stamps are particularly valuable I would remove them immediately.
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Oh by the way, I stumbled in article containing an image of the mounts yellowing due to tape.
http://johnapfelbaum.blogspot.com/2012/10/evolution-of-stamp-mounts.html
I also seem to recall the gum from the mount itself yellowing on occasion as well. Maybe someone can confirm that.
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I think the newer technology is a ton better than the really old stuff. I also used the crystal mounts and got rid of every one of them. Modern mounts are the way to go, but with caution. Don't damage the stamps trying to get them out of the old mounts. There could be some real treasures if this collection is over a 100 years old.
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After reading that about Crystal Mounts, these stamps are coming out of 'em! Thanks for the advice. I got work to do, now...
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I had to remove a bunch of stamps from crystal mounts once. It seemed that carefully raising the top surface from the stamp and cutting it in the middle with small scissors provided the best way to free the stamp from the mount with minimal impact on the stamp. If the stamp seems to be stuck to the mount you have to decide if you want to soak it and turn MH or MNH into MNG, or risk damaging the stamp when removing it. Good luck!
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The old mounts usually are brittle and damage to stamps can happen, unfortunately I've torn a stamp or two with those antiques. Although the new mounts can add up in cost I use them for all stamps, including canceled low value stamps. They look better in the album and keep safe your stamp or philitelic collectable from unexpected accidents. Perry
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I think we have a quorum, "Upgrade" and get rid of the ole mounts. They served their purpose for the day, but provide no value today. Another value of removing them from the ole mounts is being able to really check them out for condition and do watermarking, etc. Many of the old collections were not catalogued properly and this provides a chance to verify. Never know, there could be a rare find in there.
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"Although the new mounts can add up in cost I use them for all stamps,"
That is why they are always on my Christmas lists for Santa!
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07:07:24am
"I had to remove a bunch of stamps from crystal mounts once. It seemed that carefully raising the top surface from the stamp and cutting it in the middle with small scissors provided the best way to free the stamp from the mount with minimal impact on the stamp."
I have found that the easiest (and safest, if you have a steady hand and are careful) way to remove the crystal mounts is by inserting the blade of a small pocket knife between the face of the stamp and the mount, then gently slitting the base of the mount (they are very easy to cut). Then you just need to lift the stamp off the page.
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i do something similar to Bobby, inserting the top end of a tong and slitting the top. never damaged a stamp this way.
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12:03:00pm
These work very nicely.
But don't scratch your nose with them in you hand. They are not called "Lethal 908s" for nothing.
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I've recently received stamps from an SOR auction, and some of them came in mounts. Since only a small portion of the back of the mount is wetted to put in an album, I remove the stamp and turn it over, so what had been the top of the mount is now the bottom That lets me moisten the "new" top and re-use the old mount. I have torn a couple (mounts, not stamps) but being able to reuse mounts appeals to my frugal side.
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I also use the edge of my tongs to cut the old mounts versus a knife. I can kill two birds with one stone, per se. I cut the mount with the tongs and with the next move remove the stamp with the tongs. All in two quick motions, 2-3 seconds max.
I do not re-use the old crystal mounts, only the Scott's or Prinz, and I also occasionally flip the mount over to moisten a fresh portion of the mount. Hey, mounts are expensive too. I would rather spend the money on a stamp than more empty mounts.
Dan
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08:33:43pm
Several times over the years I have seen albums where the money spent for mounts far exceeded to cost of the stamps they held.
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Charlie,
I never showed you my collection that many times.
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LEAVE them Be. They were your Dad's. Or take them out of the old cruddy mounts and remount them just as your Dad put them in. The order. They probably are worth far more sentimental value than monetary value.
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03:26:37pm
I started collecting stamps as a child with my father, who collected his whole life and got me started. Sadly, he lost his life in a house fire and I inherited the stamps that survived. The ones that did are mounted in what appear to be very old cellophane mounts - nothing like the ones you buy today. Thankfully, this protected the stamps from the smoke and water (even those that are almost 100 years old), but I'm unsure whether to take them all out of the mounts and put them in stock pages (which is how I store my own collection), or leave them be since they mostly seem in pristine condition. Some mounts look yellowed and some were brittle (I tossed those), but I don't know if that's because they were in a fire or if they're just old. I took one corner block out its mount because it was "wiggly" and I feared water had gotten into it. The stamps themselves were relatively undamaged, but the ink side was shiny. For a moment I was thrilled that they were printed gummed-side up, but the gum is intact on the back, so that's doubtful. Most of the other stamps are not like this and they easily come out of the mounts. So, my question is: would it do more damage than good to leave them in these mounts, or are they ok to leave? I don't have any sentimentality when it comes to the mounts, I just want to preserve them best I can. Thanks in advance.
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re: Old mounts: Keep or toss?
Those are probably Crystal Mounts which my father and I (as a child) used long ago. One problem with the mounts is the gum was not strong and some people used scotch tape to affix the mount to the page and that gum is bad for stamps. So if you see any yellowing then I would remove them (as I think you indicated).
The plastic in these mounts can get brittle and it is probably not safe long term for archival purposes, but given the length of time they have probably been in the mounts already, its probably not something you need to address in a hurry. If the stamps are particularly valuable I would remove them immediately.
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re: Old mounts: Keep or toss?
Oh by the way, I stumbled in article containing an image of the mounts yellowing due to tape.
http://johnapfelbaum.blogspot.com/2012/10/evolution-of-stamp-mounts.html
I also seem to recall the gum from the mount itself yellowing on occasion as well. Maybe someone can confirm that.
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this post
re: Old mounts: Keep or toss?
I think the newer technology is a ton better than the really old stuff. I also used the crystal mounts and got rid of every one of them. Modern mounts are the way to go, but with caution. Don't damage the stamps trying to get them out of the old mounts. There could be some real treasures if this collection is over a 100 years old.
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06:03:14pm
re: Old mounts: Keep or toss?
After reading that about Crystal Mounts, these stamps are coming out of 'em! Thanks for the advice. I got work to do, now...
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this post
re: Old mounts: Keep or toss?
I had to remove a bunch of stamps from crystal mounts once. It seemed that carefully raising the top surface from the stamp and cutting it in the middle with small scissors provided the best way to free the stamp from the mount with minimal impact on the stamp. If the stamp seems to be stuck to the mount you have to decide if you want to soak it and turn MH or MNH into MNG, or risk damaging the stamp when removing it. Good luck!
Login to Like
this post
re: Old mounts: Keep or toss?
The old mounts usually are brittle and damage to stamps can happen, unfortunately I've torn a stamp or two with those antiques. Although the new mounts can add up in cost I use them for all stamps, including canceled low value stamps. They look better in the album and keep safe your stamp or philitelic collectable from unexpected accidents. Perry
Login to Like
this post
re: Old mounts: Keep or toss?
I think we have a quorum, "Upgrade" and get rid of the ole mounts. They served their purpose for the day, but provide no value today. Another value of removing them from the ole mounts is being able to really check them out for condition and do watermarking, etc. Many of the old collections were not catalogued properly and this provides a chance to verify. Never know, there could be a rare find in there.
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this post
re: Old mounts: Keep or toss?
"Although the new mounts can add up in cost I use them for all stamps,"
That is why they are always on my Christmas lists for Santa!
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They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
27 Aug 2013
07:07:24am
re: Old mounts: Keep or toss?
"I had to remove a bunch of stamps from crystal mounts once. It seemed that carefully raising the top surface from the stamp and cutting it in the middle with small scissors provided the best way to free the stamp from the mount with minimal impact on the stamp."
I have found that the easiest (and safest, if you have a steady hand and are careful) way to remove the crystal mounts is by inserting the blade of a small pocket knife between the face of the stamp and the mount, then gently slitting the base of the mount (they are very easy to cut). Then you just need to lift the stamp off the page.
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re: Old mounts: Keep or toss?
i do something similar to Bobby, inserting the top end of a tong and slitting the top. never damaged a stamp this way.
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
28 Aug 2013
12:03:00pm
re: Old mounts: Keep or toss?
These work very nicely.
But don't scratch your nose with them in you hand. They are not called "Lethal 908s" for nothing.
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re: Old mounts: Keep or toss?
I've recently received stamps from an SOR auction, and some of them came in mounts. Since only a small portion of the back of the mount is wetted to put in an album, I remove the stamp and turn it over, so what had been the top of the mount is now the bottom That lets me moisten the "new" top and re-use the old mount. I have torn a couple (mounts, not stamps) but being able to reuse mounts appeals to my frugal side.
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like this post.
Login to Like.
re: Old mounts: Keep or toss?
I also use the edge of my tongs to cut the old mounts versus a knife. I can kill two birds with one stone, per se. I cut the mount with the tongs and with the next move remove the stamp with the tongs. All in two quick motions, 2-3 seconds max.
I do not re-use the old crystal mounts, only the Scott's or Prinz, and I also occasionally flip the mount over to moisten a fresh portion of the mount. Hey, mounts are expensive too. I would rather spend the money on a stamp than more empty mounts.
Dan
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this post
Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
04 Sep 2013
08:33:43pm
re: Old mounts: Keep or toss?
Several times over the years I have seen albums where the money spent for mounts far exceeded to cost of the stamps they held.
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this post
re: Old mounts: Keep or toss?
Charlie,
I never showed you my collection that many times.
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this post
re: Old mounts: Keep or toss?
LEAVE them Be. They were your Dad's. Or take them out of the old cruddy mounts and remount them just as your Dad put them in. The order. They probably are worth far more sentimental value than monetary value.
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this post