Question about Stamp Mounts

Welcome to the forum Stamper49

Showgard are 'split back" separated at the center (only affix the lower half to you page) and they hold quite well. There is another type that others seem to prefer that is only 'hinged' at the bottom, (I cannot remember the name) and those whose use these, typically prefer ober the Showgard.

Both seem to keep tamps in place.

I use Showgards and I have never used the other types... mainly because I started with Showgard

now if you are apply strips across the gage, I suspect the Showgards would be a pain yo only add or remove a songle stamp from the row

Ditch the Crystal Mounts ...they are dangerous despite the hype.

You are going to have to sample the rest, and make your own decisions.
I refuse to use "Showguard"  (split back)   for no other reason, than the inability to rapid change stamps in the mount.

I do buy them, cut them in half (Lengthwise) to get 2  "Open Top Mount" strips for the price of one

"Split Back "  aka Showguard


"Open Top"  aka HAWID


I place my stamps in the mounts,  then cut the mounts with the stamps inside and  use double sided tape to adhere to the album page
(the mounts are removable / adjustable for quite some months without damage)

I cut the mounts with my Fiskars


This is by all means, not a recommended routine, other than my own
Tread your own path

What sizes of strips, do you keep on hand?

Everything. I went around the internet and asked dealers for discount mounts, anything they wanted to get rid of, anything but "Crystal Mounts"
I purchased 5Kg of mixed new and used mounts from Canada
Everthing from half inch high, to 12" square for Souvenir sheets.
I just get my stamps, place in a strip that best suits, and cut them in the Fiskars

I will probably be moving my collection to a recently acquired 1950 Scott "The American Album for United States Stamps", up to mid-1949, album,

(Cringe) moving stamps can be a hassle, make sure and plan before you do !
I do not use pre printed Albums, I use Steiner printed album pages
(I have 400 Albums)

Have you got a US source for the Hawid top opening mounts? A cheap source would be best.

Ebay only, I bought some from Germany, and the price was outrageous

rod222 have you compared using a glue stick instead of double sided tape? Thoughts?

Nope! I have a fixed regime and stick to it, double sided tape only


Just using a height off the top of my head for a stamp, say 20mm, what size mount would be used? Is there a guideline so you don't wind up squeezing a stamp into to small a mount?

You cannot squeeze a stamp into an "open top" you just place the stamps in the strip
and cut to shape in the Fiskars.

Good Luck

Note : Mounts come in black and clear, clear are most forgiving, but once you make the choice, you are stuck with it, mostly.

1 stamps in showguard, envelope to show "split back"   now, cut in half with Fiskars lengthwise


Showguard after cut in half, place stamps in now "open top"


Cut off top to suits stamps.


Cut stamps individually off strip


attach with 2-3mm double sided (photo safe)  tape....Voila!

rod222 ,

I would avoid that tape. Scotch makes regular double-sided tape (probably not safe for stamps) and double-sided tape for scrapbooking (safe). According to the UPC code, that's the regular stuff.

Yikes !  Yes  that is incorrect,  PostmasterGS is right, I am using the wrong tape.

I had the correct tape, initially, bought it at Officeworks in Australia
the rolls I bought after that came from a newsagent, and I must have thought they were the same  Sheesh!

Here is the correct stuff     ACID FREE 
 (Thanks PostmasterGS  !  )  

i have used a glue pen/stick on older mounts that the adhesive has lost it's adhesive ability (bought a large lot of miscellaneous mounts from an estate).

I now get them on E-Bay and generally discounts are offered if you buy multiples. I use pre-cut when possible as it keeps everything uniform.

I don't find the water on the pages an issue. I do not pre-load my mounts with the stamp, and I have gotten pretty adept at loading, adjusting and unloading the split backs

I used to get a small bowl of filtered water and some Q-tips to swab a small amount water on the mouynt.... now I just lick the bottom half

Everyone has their own method, so whatever suits your needs!

As to size, you will likely find that you need quite a variety and either one of cutters made for cutting strips, or I just use an old fashioned paper cutter (unless you're really precise with scissors). Sometimes large mounts (blocks, SS sheets) have a tendency to pull and slip a bity, yielding a crooked cut. A piece of 600+ sand paper fromt he hardware store makes a suitable non skid surface!

Stamper49

In case you are interested  (cloudy vision in one eye)
Western Australia news yesterday
"Cataracts are normal !"

I have made an appointment,  maybe I can ditch my glasses forever
What a pain they are 
link

This has been a really interesting thread.

I agree with banknoteguy there really isn’t “one right way” to do this.

And, rod222 is always posting great advice. I couldn’t agree more about using pages instead of printed albums. Cutting mounts using a Fiskars cutter is my jam too.

Here is where I might get in trouble – smile.

I create what I call ‘Study Binders’. For my occupation collection I use lighthouse Classic Grande binders – these are 3-ring binders and they’re big enough to handle any kind of page. For everything else, I buy gently used binders when I go to stamp shows. Sometimes, I get them when I buy a collection. (I’ve even bought a not very interesting collection from a club auction just to get the binder - again, smile).

Anyway, what I mean by a study binder is that I mix stamp album pages, stock pages and other kinds of displays with research notes and articles. Not everything of course, most of my research library is online or in books – as are the catalogues. But, some articles, maps and lists are worth printing and keeping with the stamps. That way, when I’m working or reviewing the albums, it’s like going through a notebook with exhibits – the exhibits being the stamps.

I do make my own pages (and title pages and dividers) but I’m more than happy to use good pages prepared by others. And, I don’t mind mixing them. I just don’t have the time to curate my collection so that it’s all matchy-matchy. I use Scott and Lindner pages, usually trimmed so that all the pages in an album are about the same size. I also use various stock sheets, cover sheets, postcard sheets and full page protectors – depending on the item.

Here are a few examples. Be kind.

Hugh ,

Did you edit the corner flag out of that Hindenburg Medallion page, or do I have a page with a missing flag?

Worry not (smile).

That was one of the first of your pages I printed. I wanted to mount the Donor Strips to show a few colleagues at my local club. However, in the beginning, I was having trouble with the colour printing. So, that's how it came off the printer.

When I started playing around a couple of days later, I solved the problem. I have now printed (sucessfully, with flags) your German Empire pages. I download the specialized version and then selectivly print. I skipped over the (very few) pages that I didn't need. I'm now working on the colonies.  Anyway, thanks for reminding me. I'll print off a new corrected page and move the strips over. 

For paper, I use Lettermark Vellum Bristol 94345 Cream, 67lb 147g/m2 8.5 x 11.

Cheers, 

I use the “permanent” scrapbooking tape. It’s not really permanent. The adhesive isn’t as sticky as the non-scrapbooking version, and for me, it’s the perfect amount of sticky.

The bad ratings are mostly from people who can’t get the backing off. Oddly, I’ve never had that problem. I have an old pair of fingernail clippers that I use to grab the edge of the backing. Peels right off.

And it’s about $5 a roll here (about AU$7.50). At a 300% markup, I should go into business shipping it to Australia.

I would like to politely point out that, as I have said before, most stamp mounts have adhesive on one side, convieniently put there by the manufacturer so that you don't have to use glue sticks or double sided tape.

I put a small ammount of water on the back, away for the edges and gently place on absorbant kitchen roll (paper towel). This gives a fine mist over the back of the mount making it not soak the album page and allows you to accurately place the mount into the correct position.

angore, I have just offered the OP a solution for mounts as you have already offered a solution earlier in this thread. I haven't criticised your method so I'm not sure why you have to criticise mine again.

For the record however after over 400 pages and 1000s of mounts I've yet to have any moisture 'migrating to the album or causing a ripple' when using them as per my previous post.