Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
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you can, but only if the acetate is archival. if you're not sure, you probably shouldn't
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You might also want to make sure that the pages do not have any kind of sticky substance, often used to hold photos in place. Stamps will stick and may never come off.
Mel
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04:25:24pm
There are many different kinds of photo albums.
Some yes, some no.
If you are considering the type that used to be called "magnetic photo albums", with a peel-away plastic cover over a cardboard page that has stripes of adhesive to hold the photos in place, the answer is "absolutely not!"
As a dealer who buys collections nearly every week, I have seen these used many times, and I have come to the point where I will no longer even look at a collection stored in these. After a few years, the stamps are typically unsalvageable and it's not worth the aggravation.
The best solution is an inexpensive stockbook made for stamps.
Roy
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Mike, photo albums are really a no no. Until you decide what direction you wish your collection to go I would suggest you use stockbooks.
No hinging, no mounts, and easy to move stamps around if you need.
They are widely available and can be picked up at dealers or auctions lightly used.
Here is a link to give you an idea price wise.
http://www.subwaystamp.com/White-Pages/products/20/
Meanwhile, welcome to Stamporama and ask away, no questions are too basic and they always help those not wanting to ask.
Vic
(Modified by Moderator on 2017-11-28 20:34:00)
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Thank you for the tips and info...you saved my collection as i had already purchased some used photo albums...will stick with the stock books when I can afford them...I am disabled and only can work 10hrs a week but it gives me plenty of time to spend on sorting and cataloging my stamps.
blessings to all,
Spike
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Spike:
I don't know if you live near a local stamp club, but if it's a stamp club where there are auctions (mine has a meeting every month, where a members' auction is a big part of the meeting), but I often see used stockbooks going for cheap. You might want to check that out. And the real upsides of that are that (1) you can inspect them and see if they'd be in good enough condition for your stamps, and (2) you don't have to pay shipping!
Most of the clubs I'm aware of don't necessarily require you to become a member to participate in their auctions or sales as a bidder/buyer -- though they sometimes do in order to be able to offer up material for auction.
Might be worth checking it out!
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Leuchtturm/Lighthouse Streifen?Strips (Top opening Mounts)
I'm told there are no silly questions here but...
I have been mounting stamps with Split Back mounts for a few years. However I cannot always get the sizes I need for especially for larger stamps and souvenir sheets.
On this last order I went with a few packages of top opening stamps. Some Unisafe "S" series mounts and some of the Lighthouse strips.
the Unisafe are easy enough. They as expected open at the top. The Lighthouse brand though are double sealed top and bottom... The illustration on the package definitely shows top opening... how am I intended to use them as that?
I am probably missing something basic. I'm sorry if this is a "Well Duh" kind of question.
Can anyone who has used these mounts give me some instruction please?
thank you
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further to my post yesterday on the Lighthouse Stamp mounts... that are sealed top and bottom...having looked around the net... I gather that they are a different animal again from the top opening or split back...
They are certainly different for taking the stamps.
Rene
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I don't like the idea of split back mounts.. it hits me that is the side we apply moisture... and there's a crack there directly adjacent to the MNH gum!
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I feel split back mounts are perfectly fine if used correctly per the instructions. That is use small amounts of water, moisten the area in a half-circle shape keeping water away from the edges, and give them a minute or so to dry before mounting the stamp.
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I have seen a huge number of MNH stamps in split back mounts that have had a line of disturbed gum where the line was. They are probably great for the people who know how to use them but a great many do not use them correctly. Most of the split back albums that I have broken down over the years have had 50% or greater gum damaged stamps. Not one of the 8 to 10 albums that I have broken down have had 100% perfect MNH stamps in them.
Jim
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That is very interesting Cactus Jack. I will certainly investigate that. What in your opinion is the cause of that?
I use a small moistened artist brush to 'wet' a bit of the gum on one side of the back, avoiding all edges esp the split.
Thanks guys for your input
Rene
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I use split back mounts. I use a glue pen to attach them to the page. It doesn't take much. I keep my albums upright so there is no pressure on the mount or stamp. I also don't overfill my albums either.
When I did mount using spit it would make a small bump on the back of the page. With a glue pen this does not happen.
Vince
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"That is very interesting Cactus Jack. I will certainly investigate that. What in your opinion is the cause of that?"
The average person doesn't read or follow instructions. Here's the process for using split back mounts... aka "spit back mounts"...
1. Put stamp in mount
2. Run mount down the length of your extended tongue
3. Affix to album page
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Oh Ben 
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Following on from, amsd's comment in another thread, I found this article on the web about Crystal Mounts. Interesting reading.
https://www.apfelbauminc.com/blog/post/evolution-of-stamp-mounts//
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12:12:14am
Very interesting article, Victor, but I'd take issue
with the remark where they say that the Harris Crystal
Mounts started the craze in about 1950.
I seem to recall some pre-WW II mounts described by
Herman Herst that someone produced that became something
of a monopoly during the war. If memory serves me right
Herst wrote that after the war that companies products
became anathema due to their selfish (?) attitude when
things were difficult.
Now I am sure I read this no later than the mid- '70s
so the thought may be subject to a mis-interpretation
then and a faltering recollection now.
But there was something before 195o.
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The Apfelbaum article does not seem to equate using a stamp mount that can cause damage to stamps and hinging stamps that can cause to stamps.
The statement that hinging does not cause damage to albums again depends on hinges used and person applying the hinges. A previously never hinged stamp (unused or used) is rarely the same stamp after hinging.
Like many advancements, Crystal Mounts solved the majority of one problem but introduced another.
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07:33:12pm
I have question. I quite often buy stamps affixed to pages with hinges. I usually try to remove the hinge remnants before either re-hinging or using crystal mounts. I do not usually waste crystal mounting on very cheap stamps. I have occasionally, not very often since I am very careful, damaged older brittle stamps when I remove the hinge. Should I even try to remove the hinge remnant or should I hinge over the hinge. I really hate to soak the stamp, especially if it still has some of its original glue. What do you people out there do.
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I've got some covers, postcards and miscellaneous loose stamp items in a few wooden cigar boxes. They're all in either G&K stamp cards, glassines, poly sleeves or some other hobby related item.... do you think that's "safe" for longer term storage? thnx.
Ernie
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This may not be a scientific and definitive answer, but I've had stuff sitting around in G&K cards and glassine envelopes for over 30 years and they haven't suffered for the experience.
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"I usually try to remove the hinge remnants before either re-hinging or using crystal mounts."
I've no idea if there's any validity to this approach or not, but I use a sharp knife and cut the hinge at the hinge point, then usually apply the new hinge to the remnant left behind. The thought is that I wouldn't do any further damage this way if it has gum, and it seems to enhance peelability of the new hinge on both MH and used stamps. I'll do this only if there's just one layer of hinge remnant. If it appears this has already been done a number of times, I'll soak the stamp and put it in the drying book for a while.
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" I've had stuff sitting around in G&K cards and glassine envelopes for over 30 years and they haven't suffered for the experience."
I'm actually more concerned about the cigar boxes....
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If you ask a person serious about archival material, the person should detail the risks of anything made of paper - manila cards, album paper, dealer cards. glassines, hinges (yes hinges can be acidic), and other materials like vinyl etc. but seems album paper gets the most attention.
I have tested lots of stuff with a pH test pen. This is a manila stock card I recently received from a seller. It tested acidic. The X should be purple. Many older manila cards seem to test acidic.
Despite all these acidic items collectors use for storage, I cannot identify any real issues with such items. Most collections I see in sad shape clearly had general storage issues or improperly mounted.
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I have used those drying books, but have discovered using coasters, not the glass kind, but the two I am using now advertise Guinness beer. (Love the coaster but yuck to the beer, sorry John). I soak the stamps the usual way, take them out of water and very carefully lay them on the coaster, add the other coaster, then press them down and then open the coaster up right after mashing and remove it and lay it on a clean surface and it dries in minutes and they can be put into the album instead of trying to remember them in a drying book. I have done many stamps this way and not had a failure, or accident yet.
Mike
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re: storing stamps
you can, but only if the acetate is archival. if you're not sure, you probably shouldn't
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this post
re: storing stamps
You might also want to make sure that the pages do not have any kind of sticky substance, often used to hold photos in place. Stamps will stick and may never come off.
Mel
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BuckaCover.com - 80,000 covers priced 60c to $1.50 - Easy browsing 500 categories
28 Nov 2017
04:25:24pm
re: storing stamps
There are many different kinds of photo albums.
Some yes, some no.
If you are considering the type that used to be called "magnetic photo albums", with a peel-away plastic cover over a cardboard page that has stripes of adhesive to hold the photos in place, the answer is "absolutely not!"
As a dealer who buys collections nearly every week, I have seen these used many times, and I have come to the point where I will no longer even look at a collection stored in these. After a few years, the stamps are typically unsalvageable and it's not worth the aggravation.
The best solution is an inexpensive stockbook made for stamps.
Roy
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: storing stamps
Mike, photo albums are really a no no. Until you decide what direction you wish your collection to go I would suggest you use stockbooks.
No hinging, no mounts, and easy to move stamps around if you need.
They are widely available and can be picked up at dealers or auctions lightly used.
Here is a link to give you an idea price wise.
http://www.subwaystamp.com/White-Pages/products/20/
Meanwhile, welcome to Stamporama and ask away, no questions are too basic and they always help those not wanting to ask.
Vic
(Modified by Moderator on 2017-11-28 20:34:00)
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: storing stamps
Thank you for the tips and info...you saved my collection as i had already purchased some used photo albums...will stick with the stock books when I can afford them...I am disabled and only can work 10hrs a week but it gives me plenty of time to spend on sorting and cataloging my stamps.
blessings to all,
Spike
4 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: storing stamps
Spike:
I don't know if you live near a local stamp club, but if it's a stamp club where there are auctions (mine has a meeting every month, where a members' auction is a big part of the meeting), but I often see used stockbooks going for cheap. You might want to check that out. And the real upsides of that are that (1) you can inspect them and see if they'd be in good enough condition for your stamps, and (2) you don't have to pay shipping!
Most of the clubs I'm aware of don't necessarily require you to become a member to participate in their auctions or sales as a bidder/buyer -- though they sometimes do in order to be able to offer up material for auction.
Might be worth checking it out!
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: storing stamps
Leuchtturm/Lighthouse Streifen?Strips (Top opening Mounts)
I'm told there are no silly questions here but...
I have been mounting stamps with Split Back mounts for a few years. However I cannot always get the sizes I need for especially for larger stamps and souvenir sheets.
On this last order I went with a few packages of top opening stamps. Some Unisafe "S" series mounts and some of the Lighthouse strips.
the Unisafe are easy enough. They as expected open at the top. The Lighthouse brand though are double sealed top and bottom... The illustration on the package definitely shows top opening... how am I intended to use them as that?
I am probably missing something basic. I'm sorry if this is a "Well Duh" kind of question.
Can anyone who has used these mounts give me some instruction please?
thank you
Login to Like
this post
re: storing stamps
further to my post yesterday on the Lighthouse Stamp mounts... that are sealed top and bottom...having looked around the net... I gather that they are a different animal again from the top opening or split back...
They are certainly different for taking the stamps.
Rene
Login to Like
this post
re: storing stamps
I don't like the idea of split back mounts.. it hits me that is the side we apply moisture... and there's a crack there directly adjacent to the MNH gum!
Login to Like
this post
re: storing stamps
I feel split back mounts are perfectly fine if used correctly per the instructions. That is use small amounts of water, moisten the area in a half-circle shape keeping water away from the edges, and give them a minute or so to dry before mounting the stamp.
Login to Like
this post
re: storing stamps
I have seen a huge number of MNH stamps in split back mounts that have had a line of disturbed gum where the line was. They are probably great for the people who know how to use them but a great many do not use them correctly. Most of the split back albums that I have broken down over the years have had 50% or greater gum damaged stamps. Not one of the 8 to 10 albums that I have broken down have had 100% perfect MNH stamps in them.
Jim
Login to Like
this post
re: storing stamps
That is very interesting Cactus Jack. I will certainly investigate that. What in your opinion is the cause of that?
I use a small moistened artist brush to 'wet' a bit of the gum on one side of the back, avoiding all edges esp the split.
Thanks guys for your input
Rene
Login to Like
this post
re: storing stamps
I use split back mounts. I use a glue pen to attach them to the page. It doesn't take much. I keep my albums upright so there is no pressure on the mount or stamp. I also don't overfill my albums either.
When I did mount using spit it would make a small bump on the back of the page. With a glue pen this does not happen.
Vince
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: storing stamps
"That is very interesting Cactus Jack. I will certainly investigate that. What in your opinion is the cause of that?"
The average person doesn't read or follow instructions. Here's the process for using split back mounts... aka "spit back mounts"...
1. Put stamp in mount
2. Run mount down the length of your extended tongue
3. Affix to album page
Login to Like
this post
re: storing stamps
Following on from, amsd's comment in another thread, I found this article on the web about Crystal Mounts. Interesting reading.
https://www.apfelbauminc.com/blog/post/evolution-of-stamp-mounts//
Login to Like
this post
Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
21 Apr 2019
12:12:14am
re: storing stamps
Very interesting article, Victor, but I'd take issue
with the remark where they say that the Harris Crystal
Mounts started the craze in about 1950.
I seem to recall some pre-WW II mounts described by
Herman Herst that someone produced that became something
of a monopoly during the war. If memory serves me right
Herst wrote that after the war that companies products
became anathema due to their selfish (?) attitude when
things were difficult.
Now I am sure I read this no later than the mid- '70s
so the thought may be subject to a mis-interpretation
then and a faltering recollection now.
But there was something before 195o.
Login to Like
this post
re: storing stamps
The Apfelbaum article does not seem to equate using a stamp mount that can cause damage to stamps and hinging stamps that can cause to stamps.
The statement that hinging does not cause damage to albums again depends on hinges used and person applying the hinges. A previously never hinged stamp (unused or used) is rarely the same stamp after hinging.
Like many advancements, Crystal Mounts solved the majority of one problem but introduced another.
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
This is my diabetic cat OBI! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
23 Apr 2019
07:33:12pm
re: storing stamps
I have question. I quite often buy stamps affixed to pages with hinges. I usually try to remove the hinge remnants before either re-hinging or using crystal mounts. I do not usually waste crystal mounting on very cheap stamps. I have occasionally, not very often since I am very careful, damaged older brittle stamps when I remove the hinge. Should I even try to remove the hinge remnant or should I hinge over the hinge. I really hate to soak the stamp, especially if it still has some of its original glue. What do you people out there do.
Login to Like
this post
re: storing stamps
I've got some covers, postcards and miscellaneous loose stamp items in a few wooden cigar boxes. They're all in either G&K stamp cards, glassines, poly sleeves or some other hobby related item.... do you think that's "safe" for longer term storage? thnx.
Ernie
Login to Like
this post
re: storing stamps
This may not be a scientific and definitive answer, but I've had stuff sitting around in G&K cards and glassine envelopes for over 30 years and they haven't suffered for the experience.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: storing stamps
"I usually try to remove the hinge remnants before either re-hinging or using crystal mounts."
I've no idea if there's any validity to this approach or not, but I use a sharp knife and cut the hinge at the hinge point, then usually apply the new hinge to the remnant left behind. The thought is that I wouldn't do any further damage this way if it has gum, and it seems to enhance peelability of the new hinge on both MH and used stamps. I'll do this only if there's just one layer of hinge remnant. If it appears this has already been done a number of times, I'll soak the stamp and put it in the drying book for a while.
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: storing stamps
" I've had stuff sitting around in G&K cards and glassine envelopes for over 30 years and they haven't suffered for the experience."
I'm actually more concerned about the cigar boxes....
Login to Like
this post
re: storing stamps
If you ask a person serious about archival material, the person should detail the risks of anything made of paper - manila cards, album paper, dealer cards. glassines, hinges (yes hinges can be acidic), and other materials like vinyl etc. but seems album paper gets the most attention.
I have tested lots of stuff with a pH test pen. This is a manila stock card I recently received from a seller. It tested acidic. The X should be purple. Many older manila cards seem to test acidic.
Despite all these acidic items collectors use for storage, I cannot identify any real issues with such items. Most collections I see in sad shape clearly had general storage issues or improperly mounted.
5 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: storing stamps
I have used those drying books, but have discovered using coasters, not the glass kind, but the two I am using now advertise Guinness beer. (Love the coaster but yuck to the beer, sorry John). I soak the stamps the usual way, take them out of water and very carefully lay them on the coaster, add the other coaster, then press them down and then open the coaster up right after mashing and remove it and lay it on a clean surface and it dries in minutes and they can be put into the album instead of trying to remember them in a drying book. I have done many stamps this way and not had a failure, or accident yet.
Mike
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