Tips For Using Stamp Mounts

The following Mount tips apply to any of the stamp mounts that are available, both 
“split-back” (Showgard, Scott, etc.) and “Open Top” (Hawid) mounts.  

1. Cutting A Mount to Size
   a. Mount Height
       • When selecting the mount height select a height that does not “squash” the item
         in the mount. If need be select the next higher size. However, there are times
         that one has to use a mount with the split vertical to get the right size. I
         have never had an item fall out when using it this way. Below is shown the 
         Showgard Philatelic Gauge for measuring mount height (right image):
    
      • If the gauge cannot be found, measure the height of the item in mm. If a 
        stamp measure perf tip to perf tip. This should be the height required but
        again one may have to select the next higher size.

   b. Mount Width
      • To cut a mount strip to length use a guillotine. Many styles and sizes are
        available and do an excellent job. For those guillotines that have a “ruler bar”,
        such as Showgard EXCAL guillotines, place the bar at the bottom of the 
        “cutting board”. The guillotine directions show the bar at the top but I
         have found it more convenient to put it at the bottom. These cutters give
         the mount a nice clean look rather than raggedy edges that one may get
         using scissors. The cutters are a little expensive but they last for
         years.

      •	For mounts that are larger than the capacity of the guillotine try to 
        find the following HAWID item. It still exists and will help cutting larger
        mounts neatly:
 

      • To determine the width of the mount measure the stamp perf tip to perf tip
        in millimeters and add 3 mm to get the final width. The extra 3 mm tends
        to make the border around the item look equal since the 2 mount welds are
        almost 3 mm.

      • Never cut a mount with the stamp in the mount. An exception may be cutting
        larger mounts with the ruler cutter shown above as the ruler has a guideline. 
 
2. Attaching the Mount To a Page
   • The most important “rule” of ALL: 
     DO NOT moisten the mount with the stamp in the mount.

   • DO NOT LICK the mount. Moisture may creep in at the mount edges. Use a
     damp cotton swab like Q-Tip (may be called Cotton Bud outside the US). 
 
   • Dip the swab in water and roll the swab in your fingers, or use some other
     method, to remove most of the water. The swab should only be damp. If using
     your fingers you may want a towel nearby to dry your fingers.

   • Apply a little moisture ONLY to the top third of the mount. You do not have
     to wet the entire back.

   • When applying moisture, use 2 or 3 dabs of the swab. If wetting the entire
     width, moisten from the middle of the mount to the left or right edge. This
     will reduce the chance of moisture creeping into the mount.

   • If moisture does creep in at an edge, take a small piece of torn paper and
     use the ragged paper edge as a "blotter".

   • Attach the mount to the page.

   • Put the item into the mount ONLY after it is fully dried.  

   • To insert the item place the item into the mount at the top and gently roll
     the mount bottom over the item bottom.

   • With large items you may want to put a dab of moisture at the bottom of the
     mount and press to the page. This prevents large mounts from “flapping in
     the breeze”.

Jerry B