I haven't bought a proprietary album for years, but I do think that beginners can benefit from using well-made albums. It is perhaps the best way to get a handle on the issues of any given country, provided you use a relatively recent catalogue as well. However, you should be aware that in a very little time, you'll find varieties of stamps that the album won't have spaces for, and you will no doubt come across used stamps with desirable cancellations that you'll want to keep, as well as covers (sometimes including letters and other enclosures) and possibly collateral items such as cheques, photographs, maps, labels, airmail etiquettes, etc., which will require blank pages.
I still feel that the best album is a stock book with clear mylar strips to hold the stamps, or Vario-type stock pages which perform the same function. Stock books and stock pages have the advantage of allowing the collector to move stamps and covers about, and even add notes about the items in the collection.
Bob
Shannon,
I used White Ace as a basis for my US collection. As I progressed I started making more and more of my own pages to fit my philosophy. I started with the "Simplified" Regular issues and added some stuff. There are now only 6 pages in my Regular Issues album that are original. I made all of the rest myself. The Commemoratives, on the other hand, are almost completely original White Ace. Airmail is about 50/50 now, but only because I decided to add the wet and dry printings recently.
Back of Book (BOB) can include a little or a LOT, so I left that out for now.
White Ace doesn't print Scott catalog numbers on the pages, so that could be a concern for you. I just penciled them in. I like using the White Ace blank pages for the pages I create, which include the borders, for a consistent look. The pages are 8-1/2 x 11 so it's easy to print on any straight feed printer (paper loads in the back).
For Commemoratives, if you go with the Simplified pages starting in 1996, the pages alone are $665.35 retail for Commemoratives! If you want White Ace binders and dust cases, that's another $514.25 retail. Regular issues (simplified) and Airmail is $155.05 for pages. Add $93.50 for binders and dust cases. That's a whopping $1428.15 for albums! (If you use generic 3 ring binders and no dust cases, it's still $820.40).
Others will likely suggest different options, and there are certainly several to choose from. (You can see my collection via the link below). My suggestion is to decide which album you prefer and then keep a watch on eBay under Stamps/US/Collections for the album name you want. I was able to get the bulk of my binders and dust cases for less than half of retail and most of my Commemorative pages for the face value of the stamps on the pages! The big bonus there is it even saved me on the expense for mounts!
If you want to use generic three ring binders, used pages with mounts are a GREAT option if you can sell the excess postage. I do a lot of mailing in my business, so I bought a big chunk of pages (40 or 50 years) with stamps in mounts for about face value. I compared what I had already to what was on the pages and kept the best one. I sold the extra postage to my business for use on mailers and ended up getting those pages dirt cheap. I even received a few positive comments from my clients for the unusual postage!
Good luck with US. There are plenty of folks here to ask questions of.
Cheers!
Lars
My daughter and I print our pages from Bill Steiners web site.
http://www.stampalbums.com/printed_pages.htm
We don't punch holes in the pages, we put them back to back in the plastic sleeves. Then when we want to add other items, covers, postcards, more stamps with nice cancels, etc, we use blank pages with matching titles and borders, and then put those pages as well into the plastic sleeves and then into the section that they fit the best.
Moderator's Note: Link fixed
(Modified by Moderator on 2014-11-17 05:44:22)
doodles is right, although the link isn't formatted correctly. Here is a valid link:
http://www.stampalbums.com/printed_pages.htm
And that's if you want someone to print the pages for you. You can print your own pages (they are already designed for you, so you just need a printer). Go here for info:
http://www.stampalbums.com/
Personally, I like Exact Vellum Bristol 67 lb cardstock for printing my own pages. If you use something different, be sure it is acid-free. If you print on paper heavier than 24 lb, you may encounter problems if it's not a direct feed printer (paper tray standing up in back). There are exceptions, but not many from my experience.
Lars
Hi Everyone;
@ shantige;
If you want to avoid making your own pages, and I don't blame you for that, a good solution that is still affordable, is the Scott's National album.
It has spaces for all major catalog numbers, with some having illustrated spaces.
I saw a Scott's National Kit, for $499.00, and free shipping. It contains all six sets of pages, and 4 large Dark Green & Gold three ring binders, offered on eBay. It also included the US Specialized Scott's Catalog, and some mounts, at no extra cost.
It is very easy to get blank pages for these albums, for some of the material that Bobstamp mentions. I use that same album, but only up to 1976. I don't need to add blank pages, as the pages are laid out with generous white space. So if I have a couple of color varieties, I just fit them off to the side.
If that is more than you can afford, you can buy the pages one or two sections at a time direct from the publisher Amos. And if you subscribe for just one year to Linn's Stamp News, you get a discount from Amos. I don't know if Amos still offers them but the national used to have two sets of US Revenue issues, and also cut squares for postal stationary.
Good luck with your collection.
TuskenRaider
Shannon without a doubt the best is the Mystic Heirloom. It's three volumes. Printed on one side only. Uses the Scott Numbering System. The opposite page has a brief description for each stamp. It's only $39.95 and includes 1000 hinges and 200 U.S. Stamps. Just Google in Mystic Stamp Co. I have the American Heirloom Collection and have expanded it from three volumes to seven. If you have any questions just P.M. me and I'll send you my telephone number.
Chuck
Chuck is right on this one. I use the Scott National because that was the only option around in the Jurassic age (when I purchased my album). If I were beginning over today, I would go for the Majestic album. They must sell these at or below their cost to entice collectors into their fold; regardless, it is a great bargain in today's market.
Bobby
I use the Mystic Heritage Albums. I like them and they have the Scott numbers to help you identify your stamps. I'm not sure what the difference in in the Mystic Heritage and the Mystic Heirloom. When I have looked at them in the catalog they look a lot alike. My Heritage albums are 3 right now but I can see where they could become a lot more. The one thing I noticed about the Heritage is that they do not have every single version of the stamp but I am not sure any album does. Example a tagged or untagged they would just list the Scott number and you could put either in the spot.
Oh and you can order blank pages also to add your own items if you wish.
Carolee
I use a CWS U.S. Seal Album. It's printed in black and white with a deep blue border; on heavyweight letter-sized paper. There are blank pages available, and I have matched the typeface and made my own for varieties, marginal markings, etc.
I use a White Ace album for my US Airmail collection. Same thing, I matched the typeface for my own pages.
David
I have just recently added the US to the list of stamps I am collecting. Does anyone have a suggestion for a US album that uses the Scott numbering system and is beginner friendly? I don't mind if there is several volumes - I will simply have to buy them slowly over time as I can afford them.
I was going to try doing my own thing but I think that would be overwhelming for me. I think it would be more relaxing to use an album that is already set to go.
Any help/suggestions is greatly appreciated.
Shannon
re: US stamp album suggestions?
I haven't bought a proprietary album for years, but I do think that beginners can benefit from using well-made albums. It is perhaps the best way to get a handle on the issues of any given country, provided you use a relatively recent catalogue as well. However, you should be aware that in a very little time, you'll find varieties of stamps that the album won't have spaces for, and you will no doubt come across used stamps with desirable cancellations that you'll want to keep, as well as covers (sometimes including letters and other enclosures) and possibly collateral items such as cheques, photographs, maps, labels, airmail etiquettes, etc., which will require blank pages.
I still feel that the best album is a stock book with clear mylar strips to hold the stamps, or Vario-type stock pages which perform the same function. Stock books and stock pages have the advantage of allowing the collector to move stamps and covers about, and even add notes about the items in the collection.
Bob
re: US stamp album suggestions?
Shannon,
I used White Ace as a basis for my US collection. As I progressed I started making more and more of my own pages to fit my philosophy. I started with the "Simplified" Regular issues and added some stuff. There are now only 6 pages in my Regular Issues album that are original. I made all of the rest myself. The Commemoratives, on the other hand, are almost completely original White Ace. Airmail is about 50/50 now, but only because I decided to add the wet and dry printings recently.
Back of Book (BOB) can include a little or a LOT, so I left that out for now.
White Ace doesn't print Scott catalog numbers on the pages, so that could be a concern for you. I just penciled them in. I like using the White Ace blank pages for the pages I create, which include the borders, for a consistent look. The pages are 8-1/2 x 11 so it's easy to print on any straight feed printer (paper loads in the back).
For Commemoratives, if you go with the Simplified pages starting in 1996, the pages alone are $665.35 retail for Commemoratives! If you want White Ace binders and dust cases, that's another $514.25 retail. Regular issues (simplified) and Airmail is $155.05 for pages. Add $93.50 for binders and dust cases. That's a whopping $1428.15 for albums! (If you use generic 3 ring binders and no dust cases, it's still $820.40).
Others will likely suggest different options, and there are certainly several to choose from. (You can see my collection via the link below). My suggestion is to decide which album you prefer and then keep a watch on eBay under Stamps/US/Collections for the album name you want. I was able to get the bulk of my binders and dust cases for less than half of retail and most of my Commemorative pages for the face value of the stamps on the pages! The big bonus there is it even saved me on the expense for mounts!
If you want to use generic three ring binders, used pages with mounts are a GREAT option if you can sell the excess postage. I do a lot of mailing in my business, so I bought a big chunk of pages (40 or 50 years) with stamps in mounts for about face value. I compared what I had already to what was on the pages and kept the best one. I sold the extra postage to my business for use on mailers and ended up getting those pages dirt cheap. I even received a few positive comments from my clients for the unusual postage!
Good luck with US. There are plenty of folks here to ask questions of.
Cheers!
Lars
re: US stamp album suggestions?
My daughter and I print our pages from Bill Steiners web site.
http://www.stampalbums.com/printed_pages.htm
We don't punch holes in the pages, we put them back to back in the plastic sleeves. Then when we want to add other items, covers, postcards, more stamps with nice cancels, etc, we use blank pages with matching titles and borders, and then put those pages as well into the plastic sleeves and then into the section that they fit the best.
Moderator's Note: Link fixed
(Modified by Moderator on 2014-11-17 05:44:22)
re: US stamp album suggestions?
doodles is right, although the link isn't formatted correctly. Here is a valid link:
http://www.stampalbums.com/printed_pages.htm
And that's if you want someone to print the pages for you. You can print your own pages (they are already designed for you, so you just need a printer). Go here for info:
http://www.stampalbums.com/
Personally, I like Exact Vellum Bristol 67 lb cardstock for printing my own pages. If you use something different, be sure it is acid-free. If you print on paper heavier than 24 lb, you may encounter problems if it's not a direct feed printer (paper tray standing up in back). There are exceptions, but not many from my experience.
Lars
re: US stamp album suggestions?
Hi Everyone;
@ shantige;
If you want to avoid making your own pages, and I don't blame you for that, a good solution that is still affordable, is the Scott's National album.
It has spaces for all major catalog numbers, with some having illustrated spaces.
I saw a Scott's National Kit, for $499.00, and free shipping. It contains all six sets of pages, and 4 large Dark Green & Gold three ring binders, offered on eBay. It also included the US Specialized Scott's Catalog, and some mounts, at no extra cost.
It is very easy to get blank pages for these albums, for some of the material that Bobstamp mentions. I use that same album, but only up to 1976. I don't need to add blank pages, as the pages are laid out with generous white space. So if I have a couple of color varieties, I just fit them off to the side.
If that is more than you can afford, you can buy the pages one or two sections at a time direct from the publisher Amos. And if you subscribe for just one year to Linn's Stamp News, you get a discount from Amos. I don't know if Amos still offers them but the national used to have two sets of US Revenue issues, and also cut squares for postal stationary.
Good luck with your collection.
TuskenRaider
re: US stamp album suggestions?
Shannon without a doubt the best is the Mystic Heirloom. It's three volumes. Printed on one side only. Uses the Scott Numbering System. The opposite page has a brief description for each stamp. It's only $39.95 and includes 1000 hinges and 200 U.S. Stamps. Just Google in Mystic Stamp Co. I have the American Heirloom Collection and have expanded it from three volumes to seven. If you have any questions just P.M. me and I'll send you my telephone number.
Chuck
re: US stamp album suggestions?
Chuck is right on this one. I use the Scott National because that was the only option around in the Jurassic age (when I purchased my album). If I were beginning over today, I would go for the Majestic album. They must sell these at or below their cost to entice collectors into their fold; regardless, it is a great bargain in today's market.
Bobby
re: US stamp album suggestions?
I use the Mystic Heritage Albums. I like them and they have the Scott numbers to help you identify your stamps. I'm not sure what the difference in in the Mystic Heritage and the Mystic Heirloom. When I have looked at them in the catalog they look a lot alike. My Heritage albums are 3 right now but I can see where they could become a lot more. The one thing I noticed about the Heritage is that they do not have every single version of the stamp but I am not sure any album does. Example a tagged or untagged they would just list the Scott number and you could put either in the spot.
Oh and you can order blank pages also to add your own items if you wish.
Carolee
re: US stamp album suggestions?
I use a CWS U.S. Seal Album. It's printed in black and white with a deep blue border; on heavyweight letter-sized paper. There are blank pages available, and I have matched the typeface and made my own for varieties, marginal markings, etc.
I use a White Ace album for my US Airmail collection. Same thing, I matched the typeface for my own pages.
David