Andy Pastuszak
Member 
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,533 
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Dec 9, 2021 15:39:46 GMT
I got an email from Mystic Stamp today about updates to the Mystic Heirloom Stamp Album.
The album is now 6 volumes and costs $129.95, or you can buy individual volumes for $26.95.
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,533
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Dec 9, 2021 15:49:16 GMT
And the Scott Minuteman now costs $327??
What has happened to the price of stamp albums?
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stainlessb
Member
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,665
What I collect: currently focused on most of western Europe, much of which is spent on France, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain Queen Victoria
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Post by stainlessb on Dec 9, 2021 16:09:42 GMT
When I returned to stamps (this time) my objective was to only keep US and UN. I contacted a stamp dealer in the SF Bay area that my aunts and uncle had dealt with for years to inquire about purchasing a new and current UN album. The cost caused one of those "What?!!!  " moments, although knowing there was a good chance of a near complete collection (my last living aunt received stamps automatically from the UN up almost to the time she passed away), I thought the cost of the album might be somewhat insignificant, but I made the mistake of asking the dealer what he thought the UN collection might be worth and it was less than the cost of the new album.... I looked at some commercial albums as I started re-directing my interest (which have gone completely away from the US and UN stamps (that are still boxed up) This is what pushed me into learning the software to make my own pages, plus I didn't really like how the commercially available albums were laid out. The cost is likely related to demand which isn't what it used to be |
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,018
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Dec 9, 2021 16:17:13 GMT
Shoot, I've already expanded mine to 6 volumes. At least now, from that email, I know what year they want to start each volume. I've felt like I can't ever get that right. I'm always moving pages around. BOB maybe get's it's own volume. It's constantly evolving.
But you're right. it's not the value it was when I first got mine back in the mid 90's.
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,533
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Dec 9, 2021 16:33:10 GMT
I bought it in 2009, and I think I paid $40 for it back then. I remember emailing Mystic when the hole punches on my volume 3 were different than the ones on the other volumes. They sent me a complete set of 3 volume pages for free. It looks like you can still buy just the pages for around $50.00 www.mysticstamp.com/Products/Supplies/GS705/USA/ |
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vikingeck
Member
Posts: 3,295
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on Dec 9, 2021 20:37:05 GMT
""………………… although knowing there was a good chance of a near complete collection (my last living aunt received stamps automatically from the UN up almost to the time she passed away), I thought the cost of the album might be somewhat insignificant, but I made the mistake of asking the dealer what he thought the UN collection might be worth and it was less than the cost of the new album....This is such a frequent and sad occurrence. I have been asked to help dispose of a collection purchased in the 1980s here during the “invest in stamps “boom. 8 or 9 Large expensive albums labelled “ the Sumner Collection “. which appears to have been a monthly subscription where the buyer was sent stamps and covers to insert in glossy binders with lots of explanatory text to accompany the covers.A lot of puff with minimal philatelic substance. Pretty coffee table stuff, Kings and Queens of England, Royal silver wedding, QE2 Silver Jubilee , 50 Commonwealth Covers 1980, Christmas stamps of 1981etc.the binders cost more than the contents, which 40 years on are almost worthless. I have my own collections on pages in protective sleeves stored in box files . Not an expensive pre printed album in sight. That way I spend more on stamps and less on storage. If and when I change a collection or sell, the box files and the sleeves are still reusable. ok, I buy pre-cut sheets and use quite a lot of printer ink but a lot less than glossy binders. |
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renden
Member
Posts: 8,737
What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Dec 9, 2021 21:13:37 GMT
""………………… although knowing there was a good chance of a near complete collection (my last living aunt received stamps automatically from the UN up almost to the time she passed away), I thought the cost of the album might be somewhat insignificant, but I made the mistake of asking the dealer what he thought the UN collection might be worth and it was less than the cost of the new album....This is such a frequent and sad occurrence. I have my own collections on pages in protective sleeves stored in box files . Not an expensive pre printed album in sight. That way I spend more on stamps and less on storage. If and when I change a collection or sell, the box files and the sleeves are still reusable. ok, I buy pre-cut sheets and use quite a lot of printer ink but a lot less than glossy binders. I am not quoting everything ALEX wrote but I am in total agreement. Have not bought an Album for years - late dad gave me 6 Scott International albums at age 12 + supplements which we stopped after awhile. Also in the transfer were 2 Scott Juniors of the 40s and 50s. I had my small album to start  and this was rapidly emptied to move on with the collections. Now I am not without shame to use Steiner pages (if OK), my own custom pages (if lots of varieties) and the good old binders with Vario pages, not to mention the FDC albums (15) and MS (mint sheet) Album for the special sheets I want to keep - I still have stock Books (labeled with numbers by hand) and about 25 books dad had bought, all stamps numbered (but I check them since the previous 1960s owner did not have all the varieties etc.) and a few boxes full of FDCs (Lux) but my FDCs are in FDC albums (simple and easy reference) - and my memory just stopped working so there is more (like these 25 binders I got from a friend's late dad) last year - good to fill spaces and do giveaways. I make my binders now ex: Ivory Coast binder=complete classic series.....cheaper and more fun than pre-made stuff that are incomplete. BTW my Canada binder+pages (+many others) are all Custom, the way I like I think I am going to have a glass of wine......René |
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hdm1950
Member
Posts: 1,635
What I collect: I collect world wide up to 1965 with several specialty albums added due to volume of material I have acquired. At this point I am focused on Canada and British America. I am always on the lookout for stamps and covers with postmarks from communities in Queens County, Nova Scotia. I do list various goods including stamps occasionally on eBay as hdm50
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Post by hdm1950 on Dec 9, 2021 21:29:09 GMT
I had typed a long reply and then lost it but my sentiments are similar to the last few posts. I have not bought a new album of any sort since my late teens. I have not gone to printing pages as I have 6 Scott WW to 1965 that I either inherited or added to from stamp auctions with enough stamps included to exceed the value of buying the albums. I created specialty albums from old empty spring backs that I repurposed. Maybe If I have the urge to specialize in another country I will try the printing route. I have many countries that have overly populated my Scott albums especially amongst the classics. I guess I have earned the title of a jaded old man. Albums are like frames on paintings. They add little value. I think they serve a purpose for a beginner or maybe if you are collecting only a few countries. In the end though I guess we have to do what feels right for each of us.
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renden
Member
Posts: 8,737
What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Dec 9, 2021 21:45:56 GMT
I had typed a long reply and then lost it but my sentiments are similar to the last few posts. Very nice to have another collector's view of the State of Stamp collecting - Thanks for following my previous "rant" -BTW the wine is still good, not an expensive Cabernet tonight. We are "stampers" and we do what we want. I do not follow trends - I make my own as you do - Liberty (Canadian) is on our side - Have a great evening - I am going to watch a Netflix since my giveaway has all its ingredients now, having chosen some nice pre-moderns PBs, and blocks (USA) René |
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,388
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Dec 9, 2021 23:03:57 GMT
I have a Mystic from the mid-90s and then again around 2003 that had Scott numbers. The cost of supplements to catch up drove met to just buy a new set for $45 plus it included 3 binders. The 3 binders in the base set was obviously not enough so one really needed to buy more. I am sure they sold it as a loss leader to hope you continued to buy stamps (overpriced in my opinion). They may not be getting that follow on revenue (like from me) and now want to recover costs and/or make a better profit.
Given the span now of stamps issued from 1840's to now with the modern period dwarfing the earlier period, any country alum is going to be a lot of pages ($$$) and hard to justify a new pre-printed album for a beginner. Forget an abridged worldwide album.
Added: I am not sure if the album costs are an inhibitor for beginning stamp collectors.
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" moments, although knowing there was a good chance of a near complete collection (my last living aunt received stamps automatically from the UN up almost to the time she passed away), I thought the cost of the album might be somewhat insignificant, but I made the mistake of asking the dealer what he thought the UN collection might be worth and it was less than the cost of the new album....
