Philatarium
Member 
Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,032 
What I collect: Primarily focused on Japan, but lots of other material catches my eye as well ...
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Post by Philatarium on Nov 12, 2014 19:38:29 GMT
Ok I threw the crystal mounts out now I'm waiting on some advice what to do with the stamps already mounted. I thought I had bookmarked the showguard seconds place but I am not finding it. I assume you all think I should take them all out of the Crystal mounts and put them in the good black mounts. Am I not correct? I found the web site. Philatarium and Steve. showgardseconds.com/Should I change them all out? I should be able to do it in a week or two. I have personally always liked the Showgard mounts, although some people whose opinion I respect have concerns about them. (I'll explain that in a subsequent post.) I agree with Rod, that if you don't already see damage with the mounts, then I don't think you have it do it urgently. But maybe it could be a project over a period of, say, a year, as time and funds permit. I also still like the black background (Showgards used to come only in black), and that would let you obscure any damage to the album pages by the (careful) removal of the Crystal Mounts. I also agree with Rod that the best way to remove the stamps from the CMs is a sharp knife inserted in the mount (be careful since the stamp is still in there!) and cut the bottom seam of the mount to release the stamp. (More replies in just a little bit ...) |
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rod222
Member
Posts: 11,047
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Nov 12, 2014 20:07:11 GMT
Personally I prefer the split backs. I have used both and the stamps fall out of the ones that open at the top. The stamps have never fallen out of the split backs. The one piece back I have are Hawid not Davo"s. But both Hawid not Davo open at the top and the back is one piece. I'm afraid the Crystal mounts will tear the pages when I try to take them out? I will try a page carefully and see what the results are. Right. In Australia, we use the A4 page format, which slips easily into page protectors. With open tops, and page protectors, the stamps do not move, but I can understand without protectors, the open top would flex as the page is turned and the stamp would move. |
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Philatarium
Member
Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,032
What I collect: Primarily focused on Japan, but lots of other material catches my eye as well ...
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Post by Philatarium on Nov 12, 2014 20:35:41 GMT
Dave, do you think "Showguard" is the most popular choice in US? I don't particularly like them and discarded mine, I prefer the "open at the top" Davo's. Comments? Rod, I hope some other people will weigh in on this, too, because I'm not sure I have a lock on this knowledge. But I think historically Showgard was probably the most popular (or at least the most popular behind Crystal Mounts), until other mount choices became more easily and widely available, and I still think they are pretty propular. (It's what I still use.) Again, back in the day, Showgards were the black mounts, while CMs were the clear mounts. But because CMs were sold by H.E. Harris, they were much more easily attainable by regular folks in areas without stamp stores or who did things by mail order. (I grew up in such a place, where the Harris products were sold at J.C. Penney's -- no stamp shops, no local stamp clubs -- plus Harris had their catalog that made it easy to do mail order. It was only after we somehow learned about Linn's Stamp News, and found out about other options, that we got some of the Showgards. If I recall correctly, the Showgards were more expensive than Crystal Mounts, so they were more of a "special occasion" mount, at least for us in our thrifty household.) I have had the problem that Tinman mentioned, where collections I bought which had ^some^ stamps mounted with the top-loading mounts would fall out of the mounts. But I think it would be different if all the stamps were mounted with top-loaders, such as in your case, because then one would know to have to turn the pages with even greater care than usual. (And, of course, the thicker the paper used, the less this might be a problem as well.) So I'm still a fan of the split-backed black Showgards (or Scott mounts), but it's clearly just a personal preference. The concern that some experts for whom I have a lot of respect have about split-backs is that sometimes the back of the stamp can end up being damaged at the split. It seems like there can be 2 different problems. (1) Too much moisture was used in mounting the mount, and it got into the split and damaged the gum on the stamp and/or caused the stamp itself to adhere to the page. (2) The other risk was mentioned above, that acid from the album page caused the back of the stamp to yellow right at the split. Personally, I haven't run into either of these problems, but I know of expertisers who have encountered that problem with submissions received and for that reason recommend the top-loaders instead. |
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Nov 13, 2014 4:16:29 GMT
I have always used split backs in black,mostly because they do not fall out.Nothing worse than finding a loose stamp floating about.As far as buying them for past ten years or so when supply is low I bid on lots containing many sizes.In the end it saves a lot and you always have variety of sizes to work with.When I saw this was the way to go I started with a lot that contained over fifty different sizes,the price was well over $100 but try to find that many sizes at that price.Since I have bought numerous lots containing ten or so sizes and never costs me more than $5 per pack.As usual you won't win them all but if you plan accordingly and are patient you'll build a supply and almost with out fail have the size you need. Prinz,Scott,Showgard all are nice and they all seem to have some sizes different than each other so don't limit yourself by brand.
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Nov 15, 2014 23:40:58 GMT
I have noticed the adhesive strip have yellowed the pages just as you said Andy but the stamps look pristine. The only complaint I have is the stamps fall out of the mounts easy. I only have about ten strips left so I think I will go ahead and use them up if I put any more stamps in the album. Chuck, for what it's worth, and very respectfully, I would suggest throwing those Crystal Mounts away. My mother used them in the 1960's and 70's, and I've inherited her collections. I would say 60-70% of the stamps have been damaged. Either (1) by the adhesive strips on the top turning yellow and staining the stamps (kind of like the way cellophane tape does), or else (2) by the clear plastic mount shrinking, and causing the stamps to get wavy and wrinkled. Also, (3) the gum on the stamps often became kind of mottled opaque and rough. Any one of those three types of damage seems to be irreversible. I don't think it had anything to do with the atmospheric conditions of how the stamps or albums were housed, because the condition of her stamps varied from page to page in the same album. I think there were good batches and bad batches of the mounts. I haven't checked recently, but there used to be at least one dealer who sold Showguard 2nds who advertised in Linn's. I'll see if I can find that, if no one else chimes in first. Others here may know who has the best online prices for 1st-quality ones. (I happened to acquire a bunch in a supplies lot at auction a few years ago, so I haven't had to go shopping for them in a while.) |
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Andy Pastuszak
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Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Nov 15, 2014 23:53:42 GMT
There are, as far as I know three stamp mount makers in the world. They are:
Schaufix
Prinz
Davo
I believe all 3 are located in Germany.
Shaufix/Hawid is rebranded in the US as Showgard/Hawid
Prinz are rebranded in the US as Scott
Davo are sold by Mystic Stamp, and I believe they're sold elsewhere in the US also.
I know Washington Press also sells some kind of mounts also, but I don't know anything about them.
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rod222
Member
Posts: 11,047
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Nov 16, 2014 2:53:43 GMT
There are, as far as I know three stamp mount makers in the world. They are: Schaufix Prinz Davo I have found a Chinese supplier. I have bought a "test" packet of 25 "open at the top" Black mounts , 45mm tall x 210mm for $4.95 (ship $2) I'll do a roadtest when they arrive, and post here. |
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Nov 16, 2014 13:51:45 GMT
Care to share the supplier?
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rod222
Member
Posts: 11,047
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Nov 16, 2014 21:37:41 GMT
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Nov 18, 2014 2:46:06 GMT
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rod222
Member
Posts: 11,047
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Nov 18, 2014 4:35:09 GMT
Looks like he has 35, 40, 45, 55 and 92 He has some exciting stuff, only remains to see his quality. "Acid and chemical free" we have to take his word. 10 pieces, 6 row hagners at circa $6 is half price of Aust. He is selling a 4 ring Black Binder with Slip case for $20 , that appears extremely cheap. (Alas, $26 shipping, way over the top) |
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Nov 18, 2014 4:42:06 GMT
Looks like he has 35, 40, 45, 55 and 92 He has some exciting stuff, only remains to see his quality. "Acid and chemical free" we have to take his word. 10 pieces, 6 row hagners at circa $6 is half price of Aust. He is selling a 4 ring Black Binder with Slip case for $20 , that appears extremely cheap. (Alas, $26 shipping, way over the top) You Aussies and your superior A4 paper size and 4 ring A4 binders....  |
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rod222
Member
Posts: 11,047
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Nov 18, 2014 4:50:34 GMT
 He uses "OPP" material for his stamp pouches, this is all I could find on OPP... OPP Film Molded Products The term OPP Film is an abbreviation of Oriented Polypropylene Film. Here, the word ‘Oriented’ means enhancing the mechanical characteristics by arranging the molecular structure of PP in a specific direction through the process of film elongation. Polypropylene is OK from my experience, I use Polypropylene for my Cover sleeves, and no damage seen so far (5 years) Thanks Andy, for the "heads up" I didn't even consider the Album size, all binders / pages are A4, so that will cut out North American collectors, I should think. |
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BC
Departed
Rest in Peace
Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 836
What I collect: Worldwide USED up to the 1960's, later years from countries that came into existence after then, like Anguilla, Tuvalu and Transnistria.
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Post by BC on Nov 18, 2014 5:02:36 GMT
I wish I could find a good 4-ring binder and page protectors for Letter size  |
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Nov 18, 2014 16:04:41 GMT
I wish I could find a good 4-ring binder and page protectors for Letter size I have never seen a Letter size 4 ring binder anywhere. I really wish North America just used A4 like the rest of the planet. Wouldn't mind the US switching to the Metric System also. For a first world nation, we sure are backwards sometimes. |
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Admin
Administrator 
Posts: 2,676
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Post by Admin on Nov 18, 2014 17:55:38 GMT
I wish I could find a good 4-ring binder and page protectors for Letter size I have never seen a Letter size 4 ring binder anywhere. I really wish North America just used A4 like the rest of the planet. Wouldn't mind the US switching to the Metric System also. For a first world nation, we sure are backwards sometimes. I hear you Andy, much better size, Here in Canada we switch over to the metric system much better system. But its still a 50/50 mix. |
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Nov 18, 2014 21:36:34 GMT
I have never seen a Letter size 4 ring binder anywhere. I really wish North America just used A4 like the rest of the planet. Wouldn't mind the US switching to the Metric System also. For a first world nation, we sure are backwards sometimes. I hear you Andy, much better size, Here in Canada we switch over to the metric system much better system. But its still a 50/50 mix. Man, I wish the US was on the Metric System. It's the US and Burma still on Imperial Measurements. It's laughable. |
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BC
Departed
Rest in Peace
Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 836
What I collect: Worldwide USED up to the 1960's, later years from countries that came into existence after then, like Anguilla, Tuvalu and Transnistria.
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Post by BC on Nov 19, 2014 0:10:37 GMT
Being metric still has not got us the 4 ring binders  . BC is the least metric of the provinces. Most grocery stores still do some advertising in pounds and ounces. I did not see any such in Quebec recently, it was all in kilograms only. |
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rod222
Member
Posts: 11,047
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Nov 19, 2014 0:51:47 GMT
Australia deceptive advertising Small Print = "Image for demonstration purposes only NO slipcase included"  |
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Admin
Administrator
Posts: 2,676
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Post by Admin on Nov 19, 2014 3:31:19 GMT
Being metric still has not got us the 4 ring binders . BC is the least metric of the provinces. Most grocery stores still do some advertising in pounds and ounces. I did not see any such in Quebec recently, it was all in kilograms only. The best is when in the grocery store and they have say beef at $4.99 a pound but the packages of beef are 500 - 600 grams, but a pound is 454 grams. |
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BC
Departed
Rest in Peace
Vancouver, BC Canada
Posts: 836
What I collect: Worldwide USED up to the 1960's, later years from countries that came into existence after then, like Anguilla, Tuvalu and Transnistria.
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Post by BC on Nov 19, 2014 4:57:45 GMT
Exactly what happens here Mr. Admin.
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rod222
Member
Posts: 11,047
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Dec 31, 2014 2:32:10 GMT
Chinese Stamp Mounts "open at the top Black"
Received today (Transit time 48 days)
Value : Very cheap budget mounts
Quality : Both the black backing and the clear plastic is double the thickness of Hawid
Archival? Unknown the plastic is very shiny / reflective
Backing: No Gum (shall remain whether this will adhere to paper with Glue stick
Comments: If the archival quality could be established, I'd probably persevere with these,
although it would add weight to an album of 40 pages or so.
I shall remain with Hawid.
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Admin
Administrator
Posts: 2,676
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Post by Admin on Dec 31, 2014 3:37:58 GMT
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Dec 31, 2014 7:42:04 GMT
Hi In breaking down collections I have never, maybe rarely, seen a Crystal mount that hadn't yellowed. It most cases the stamp was still OK. Does anyone remember the infamous PM mounts? For those who do not, it was a mount with a black paper backing and a crystal face that was sealed on 3 sides. One put the stamp in the mount from the top, very carefully, and either left the top open, or in the worst case, folded over and sealed. If I remember correctly the back was self-stick. Most stamps that were in those mounts, when removed, had "fuzzy" black things stuck to the gum from the backing paper that cannot be removed. In regards to Showgard seconds. In some cases they may be wavy, Do not use the wavy ones as the stamps in them will eventually be wavy also. Been there done that  Jerry B |
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Jan 1, 2015 0:43:56 GMT
Hi In breaking down collections I have never, maybe rarely, seen a Crystal mount that hadn't yellowed. It most cases the stamp was still OK. Does anyone remember the infamous PM mounts? For those who do not, it was a mount with a black paper backing and a crystal face that was sealed on 3 sides. One put the stamp in the mount from the top, very carefully, and either left the top open, or in the worst case, folded over and sealed. If I remember correctly the back was self-stick. Most stamps that were in those mounts, when removed, had "fuzzy" black things stuck to the gum from the backing paper that cannot be removed. In regards to Showgard seconds. In some cases they may be wavy, Do not use the wavy ones as the stamps in them will eventually be wavy also. Been there done that Jerry B I've bought packs of new Showgard mounts that were wavy. |
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Jan 1, 2015 7:21:29 GMT
Hi Andy
I also have bought new mounts there were wavy. Fortunately, they were from my friend's store so returning them was not a problem. In the store a "wavy" package is reduced in price and the buyer is made aware of the fact they are wavy. Some do not care if they are wavy or not.
If they are wavy, return them. They are too expensive to throw out. As I said before it is not worth ruining a stamp.
Jerry B
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,655
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Jan 1, 2015 11:39:41 GMT
This conversation reminds me why I love using Hagnar and Vario sheets - no hinges or mounts to contend with! One big drawback is that I can't print out a page with annotations - those have to be added on slips of paper. But, they are wonderful for someone like me who likes to constantly compare copies and try to find nicer cancels, etc. I can tuck the new copies into the page and then go back and decide which are the nicest copies. I'm trying to figure out how folks with albums do this. Do you stuff envelopes between the pages? And I like to look at the BACK of the stamp to compare quality - how do you do that with hinged or mounted stamps? Gosh the more I think about it, the more I like my system. BUT I know many people prefer the LOOK of a printed album. I feel like my collection is never "done" - it is always evolving. If I had them mounted in an album, I would put the stamp on the page and that's it. Gosh I'm rambling! LOL New Year musings I suppose. But, does any of this make sense to anyone else or am I a philatelic oddity? LOL
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Andy Pastuszak
Member
Praying for my family and everyone in Ukraine.
Posts: 1,591
What I collect: United States, Ukraine, Ireland
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Post by Andy Pastuszak on Jan 1, 2015 15:31:41 GMT
Hi Andy I also have bought new mounts there were wavy. Fortunately, they were from my friend's store so returning them was not a problem. In the store a "wavy" package is reduced in price and the buyer is made aware of the fact they are wavy. Some do not care if they are wavy or not. If they are wavy, return them. They are too expensive to throw out. As I said before it is not worth ruining a stamp. Jerry B I've had mounts go "wavy" from sitting around. I shelved my collection back in 2001, when my son was born and rediscovered it in 2009. In those 8 years, I had a box of mounts sitting my garage, exposed to the non temperature controlled environment. So, they went from the 90s all the way down to the single digits and different levels of humidity. The box had Scott and Showgard mounts. All the Scott mounts were in great shape. They stuck together a little bit, but peeled apart just fine. About 1/3 of the Showgard mounts were wavy. Now it's quite possible that the Showgard mounts were wavy when I bought them, and didn't think this was an issue, or it might have been the environment that did it to them. After 8 years, I don't remember. But regardless of how they became wavy, I can say that I have never seen a wavy Scott mount to this point in my life. But I have seen plenty of wavy Showgard mounts in the past. Since 2009, I have never bought any wavy Showgard mounts from anywhere but the local stamp store, which has a very low turnover for stamp mounts. So, it's possioble Shaufix has corrected this issue with their mounts and I'm just getting old mounts. |
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Jan 1, 2015 15:48:31 GMT
Philatelia,one of the reasons I went to quadrille pages was to make room for all those little nuances that pop up.It has taken me TWO trips through to find the balance for space.Mostly 'cause I ain't too smart.It also was a learning experience to use glue stick instead of the adhesive the mounts come equipped with.Even an old guy can learn .This may indeed may not be the last time they move but I'm giving it a go.Every one has they're own way some like one space for each stamp and fill the spaces,others like you and I find numerous copies of the same stamp that we like to keep.As always no right or wrong just collecting which is always right.
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scb
Member
Inactive
Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Jan 1, 2015 15:59:47 GMT
This conversation reminds me why I love using Hagnar and Vario sheets - no hinges or mounts to contend with! One big drawback is that I can't print out a page with annotations - those have to be added on slips of paper. But, they are wonderful for someone like me who likes to constantly compare copies and try to find nicer cancels, etc. I can tuck the new copies into the page and then go back and decide which are the nicest copies. I'm trying to figure out how folks with albums do this. Do you stuff envelopes between the pages? And I like to look at the BACK of the stamp to compare quality - how do you do that with hinged or mounted stamps? Gosh the more I think about it, the more I like my system. BUT I know many people prefer the LOOK of a printed album. I feel like my collection is never "done" - it is always evolving. If I had them mounted in an album, I would put the stamp on the page and that's it. Gosh I'm rambling! LOL New Year musings I suppose. But, does any of this make sense to anyone else or am I a philatelic oddity? LOL Yes, it does make a lot of sense.... I love stock books, Hagnars, Varios etc. systems as storage. You can't really beat the ease of them. But the traditional album pages have got the 'Looks'.... My approach has been to create 'digital/virtual' album pages (PDF) whenever the spirit moves me to, and one of these days I'll get some of them printed as photo book so I can admire them without all things digital. -k- |
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. BC is the least metric of the provinces. Most grocery stores still do some advertising in pounds and ounces. I did not see any such in Quebec recently, it was all in kilograms only.
