Beryllium Guy
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Posts: 5,889 
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Jun 21, 2020 21:32:45 GMT
Although I have never made DIY pages myself, I have dithered between pre-printed album pages and stock sheets. More recently, I have been using the stock sheets, because I like being able to arrange the stamps to my liking. I decided to post this example below here, because I have taken inspiration from Mark ( madbaker ) and his DIY album page of this same set of stamps. I have also really appreciated Mark's additional posts showing the pages from the Gibbons book on how to arrange a stamp collection. I had not seen any part of that book before, but I was happy to note that most of the comments in those pages seemed to be in agreement with what I already thought. Not all, but the vast majority. So, I decided to abandon strictly putting the stamps in order of denomination, and I definitely went for symmetry, both choices being similar to Mark's arrangement. But after that, I decided that I wanted to keep like designs and sizes in relative locations, so I have ended up with this arrangement:  I am clearly still missing three stamps from this set: 15c green & black (which will go where the 2sh is now) and the 10sh and £1. Unfortunately, if I ever complete this set, I may end up with a slightly asymmetrical arrangement in the bottom row. We shall see. One point I wanted to make is that I do like to put the stamps a bit closer together than what the book seemed to be suggesting and what Mark did, simply because I like the way it looks, but also because I really like to get the whole set onto one page, which does not happen if you space the stamps out too much. I hope that this image may still be useful in further considering album page arrangement for those of you doing the DIY pages. |
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stainlessb
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qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,884
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 Jun 21, 2020 22:59:03 GMT
France 1955 Marianne series played with several layouts and settled on this one. Not sure if I will keep the stamp w/margin/selvedge.... lacking a printers registration mark or a plate/block number I'm not sure it adds much thoughts/comments always welcome!  |
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Ryan
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Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,741
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Jun 22, 2020 3:42:08 GMT
I am clearly still missing three stamps from this set: 15c green & black (which will go where the 2sh is now) and the 10sh and £1. Unfortunately, if I ever complete this set, I may end up with a slightly asymmetrical arrangement in the bottom row. We shall see. Hmmm - I think I'd gladly accept unfortunate asymmetry if it got me those 10sh and £1 stamps ... ha ha But Jane Siberry says "symmetry is the way things have to be"! Like atoms in a model. Ryan |
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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 Jun 22, 2020 4:09:51 GMT
This is not a DIY page but from my Mystic US Heirloom album. The layout just does not work for me. I have redone quite a few layouts (mostly to add spaces for varieties). Mystic has numbered all the pages so when I inventoried included the page number. If I add pages in between I did xxx.1, xxx. 2. etc. How would you have done it? I have hacked a LOT of Mystic pages. Check out my website and see what I have done. www.stamphacks.com |
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brightonpete
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Post by brightonpete on Jun 22, 2020 12:44:36 GMT
In that case, stainlessb, I'd just move the stamp with selvedge over a tad so that it is centred in the mount. I think that would look better. |
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angore
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Posts: 5,664
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jun 22, 2020 16:08:06 GMT
Andy
It was your hacked pages that got me going on customizing and creating album pages back in 2016. I followed in your footsteps using Scribus. I do not use Scribus with PDF's as LibreOffice Draw has a much better import filter.
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seanfromit
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Posts: 18
What I collect: Select US, Ireland, German and various other stamps (usually space themed)
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Post by seanfromit on Jun 26, 2020 23:50:11 GMT
Hi! I'm relatively new to stamp collecting and found this thread very helpful. I've been trying to find good album page sources to print. I started with the APS public domain pages, from a similar forum found Stamp Smarter, and from this one found the Steiner Pages and Andy Pastuszak 's Stamp Hacks. I also saw a link to philosateleia on Linn's. Has anyone else here uploaded their custom pages somewhere, or know of additional free album page sources? |
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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 Jun 26, 2020 23:52:47 GMT
Hi! I'm relatively new to stamp collecting and found this thread very helpful. I've been trying to find good album page sources to print. I started with the APS public domain pages, from a similar forum found Stamp Smarter , and from this one found the Steiner Pages and Andy Pastuszak 's Stamp Hacks. Has anyone else here uploaded their custom pages somewhere, or know of additional free album page sources? PostmasterGS has great pages in his website germanstamps.net. |
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stainlessb
Member
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,884
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 Jun 27, 2020 0:31:28 GMT
If you should any interest in any of the pages I've shown, PM me and I'll send you the PDF files (or the Scribus file , but I am on a Mac and I cannot seem to move them between OSX and MS)
and Imagine most anyone who has posted in this thread would likely be willing to share
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brightonpete
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Post by brightonpete on Jun 27, 2020 1:54:49 GMT
If you export them as a PDF, they should migrate quite easily! Should being the hopeful word!
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clivel
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Posts: 382
What I collect: Basutoland, Bechuanaland, Rhodesias, South Africa, Swaziland, Israel to 1980, Ireland predecimal, Palestine Mandate
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Post by clivel on Jun 27, 2020 2:50:38 GMT
Hi! I'm relatively new to stamp collecting and found this thread very helpful. I've been trying to find good album page sources to print. I started with the APS public domain pages, from a similar forum found Stamp Smarter , and from this one found the Steiner Pages and Andy Pastuszak 's Stamp Hacks. Has anyone else here uploaded their custom pages somewhere, or know of additional free album page sources? Hi Sean, You might find something useful here Clive |
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angore
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Posts: 5,664
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jun 27, 2020 11:42:19 GMT
Clive, I am waiting for you to add a feature to your program that can take a PDF (not one that is just an image) and convert it to album easy source.
I realize this is likely impossible but wondered if postscript (is that the page description language of PDFs that are not just an image?) could be converted since some programs allow you to edit them.
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clivel
Member
Posts: 382
What I collect: Basutoland, Bechuanaland, Rhodesias, South Africa, Swaziland, Israel to 1980, Ireland predecimal, Palestine Mandate
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Post by clivel on Jun 27, 2020 20:42:32 GMT
Clive, I am waiting for you to add a feature to your program that can take a PDF (not one that is just an image) and convert it to album easy source. I realize this is likely impossible but wondered if postscript (is that the page description language of PDFs that are not just an image?) could be converted since some programs allow you to edit them. Al, that is an excellent idea. I think that it should be possible. I am planning on releasing a new version of AlbumEasy within the next month or two, after that I will look into converting PDF files into AE format. Clive |
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brightonpete
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Post by brightonpete on Jun 30, 2020 1:45:17 GMT
I finished mounting my Prexies today. I scanned the White Ace page that the sheet singles were mounted on when bought from the APS Stamp Store. I thought the page looked quite nice and would look nice with the coil line pairs. So I futzed around with it & this is what I came up with... I should have filled in the three-ring binder holes, found fonts that were closer to what they used, changed the geometry of the sheet, it is slightly longer than letter size. I think It's just fine. And on that note I shall take a leave of absence. I'll be back sometime... |
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stainlessb
Member
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,884
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 Jun 30, 2020 17:24:53 GMT
Yugoslavia 25th anniversary issued in 1943 by then government in exile in London. I see on Colnect single issues of each stamp, but they seem no where to be found, and I wonder if they are "found" by de-constructing a sheet? I do have the 1945 over prints for all 6 stamps (that page is coming next)  |
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stamjay
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Post by stamjay on Jul 10, 2020 15:36:21 GMT
I understand that everyone will have their own preferences when it comes to the style of their album pages, but before I print these, does anyone have any recommendations? Firstly, a double sided A5 page for USA Steam Locomotives and Locomotives.   Does anyone else use A5 and A6 pages? My plan is to drop them into divided pocket pages such as these: www.amazon.co.uk/perfect-line-transparent-segmented-colourless/dp/B07BPR45LL |
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renden
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Posts: 9,148
What I collect: Canada-USA-France-Lithuania-Austria--Germany-Mauritius-French Colonies in Africa
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Post by renden on Jul 10, 2020 15:43:54 GMT
stamjayIt is your choice, different for me but "yours" - However I do not understand the same spaces front and back of your A5, which I have never used myself Great ! René
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stamjay
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Post by stamjay on Jul 10, 2020 15:45:26 GMT
Secondly, a double sided A4 for Italian Castles As you can see, I've arranged the original series in order of denomination with the full size stamps at the top and the coil stamps separately at the bottom (you may also notice that I've not included space for pairs of coils). The second side is for additions to the series that I've arrange in denomination with the issue date below. 'Date of issue' at the top is not so inspiring but I didn't find any text online to 'borrow'. Also I'm not happy with Variations, Additions and Reissues. Can anyone suggest a better title?   |
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stamjay
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Post by stamjay on Jul 10, 2020 15:47:21 GMT
stamjay It is your choice, different for me but "yours" - However I do not understand the same spaces front and back of your A5, which I have never used myself Great ! René I'm sorry René, I used the wrong link, now fixed  |
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,664
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jul 10, 2020 16:27:30 GMT
stamjay, If you keep the main group in section and then put all variations in a separate group, I would break up the varieties page by adding sub headings so each type is under same heading. This could be different shades, die variations, perf variations.
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JeffS
Member
Posts: 2,804
What I collect: Oranges Philately, US Slogan Cancels, Cape of Good Hope Triangulars, and Texas poster stamps and cinderellas
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Post by JeffS on Jul 10, 2020 19:33:24 GMT
stamjay - I prefer a serif font for blocks of type, easier to read. I think the boldness of your font choice overwhelms the stamps (when they get there) Just me. You might try a couple versions and sizes.
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brightonpete
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Post by brightonpete on Jul 10, 2020 19:40:28 GMT
It might be how the photo's are displayed, but for the trains, is everything centred on the page. It looks like left side/right side for the pages. If they are going to be housed in sheets like you displayed, a centred display would look nicer/ But it looks good in any case.
Same with the Castles. On the extra's page, separate them by type. That's how I'd do it. Not sure though as I don't know the series. Scott's is pitiful on the varieties.
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stamjay
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Post by stamjay on Jul 10, 2020 21:34:18 GMT
Brightonpete, good catch on the margins.
Regarding the varieties, after some more research, I'm going to skip the variations and just collect one of each denomination/unique print.
Thanks
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stanley64
Member
Posts: 1,962
What I collect: Canada, USA, Netherlands, Portugal & Colonies, Antarctic Territories and anything that catches my eye...
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Post by stanley64 on Jul 11, 2020 6:50:38 GMT
Good stuff stamjay; thanks for sharing.
I like the pages and doff my hat to you or anyone else that is ready to explore their own creativity and build their own album pages - all good! Specifically for your pages, in addition to what has already been commented, I would suggest have a review of the following:
- train pages, separate the text into two paragraphs (2nd paragraph beginning with "Depicted are") and sandwich the stamps shown. - like the use of "No." as the abbreviation for the word "number", although consistency trumps.
- less is more, the Italian Castles are a great set and if feasible, I would suggest less stamps per page e.g. different pages based on year of issue?
- give a space at the top of the page for the title - "Date of issue", the text may not be necessary just the date. If not a thesaurus is a writer's best friend :-) - consider using stock pages to mock-up your layout or even use as alternative display if you re-consider the collecting of the issues variations, oddities or re-issues.
Have a play and for inspiration there are some great examples earlier in the thread including pages by madbaker, clivel, angore and stainlessb to name a few...
Happy collecting!
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stamjay
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Post by stamjay on Jul 11, 2020 7:52:39 GMT
 Thank you all for the suggestions, I've taken some into account and decided to switch back to A4 but as you can see there is a lot of white space so my problem now is deciding on vertical spacing. I fear straying from the defaults will lead to inconsistent results. |
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stanley64
Member
Posts: 1,962
What I collect: Canada, USA, Netherlands, Portugal & Colonies, Antarctic Territories and anything that catches my eye...
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Post by stanley64 on Jul 11, 2020 8:45:20 GMT
With some additional time and playing, you can address the issue of the white space stamjay .
Here is just one example that uses your text and initial layout, just moving things about a bit...
Happy collecting!
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,664
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jul 11, 2020 10:17:04 GMT
stamjayIf you follow keep varieties separate approach, them you cam add pages at any time without having to make decisions on varieties now. It keeps your options open.
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blaamand
Member
Currently creating custom pages until 1940.
Posts: 1,459
What I collect: Worldwide - Stamps and Postmarks - not enough time...
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Post by blaamand on Jul 11, 2020 18:05:25 GMT
stamjay - that's a great start on creating your own DIY pages. And wonderful to see so many seasoned 'DIY'ers assisting with their kind recommendations. I agree in many of the suggestions offered - and would ignore some. Which reflects the nature of creating your personal DIY pages, each of us are making pages to our own liking - and we do not necessarilly like the same style. You are about to find what you prefer, keep that as your only focus - not to please all of us - that'simpossible anyway, hahaha  I would say angore's suggestion to keep varieties seperate and split under several sub-headers is an important one. It will make life much easier afterwards, creating less need for notes under each box - and make it appear more organized. I normally do this, but mind you this approach is not always practical: Some series might have varieties of all kinds, but maybe only one or two varieties of each kind. Creating subheaders for each different type can in such cases just make it look more messy and require much more pages than needed. Ifso, I bring the varieties together in one bulk. I say this to make the general point that there is seldom a rigid solution or fixed recipe that will fit all situations, one need to be creative and also not too rigid. stanley64 is touching on another very important aspect, which I am having difficulties with myself. I certainly agree that less stamps on a page makes the stamp stand out better and the page look more attractive. But it is also the more practical aspect, if using double or tripple amount of space one will need equally added amount of albums, shelves, more cost etc. Personally I also find it very convenient to have one complete series included on one single page, when possible. This makes it easier to work on that series with all being accessible simultaneously. It also creates more of an overview of the series rather than needing to flip the pages. My dillemma with this is that I want 'less is more' in an ideal world - but in real life I often find reasons to include more stamps on the same page than 'ideal'....I am torn between the two goals. Personally I would probably have included all the castles on the same page, without the varieties, just like you did stamjay. Thanks all for keeping this thread vibrant 
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stamjay
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Post by stamjay on Jul 11, 2020 19:00:41 GMT
But it is also the more practical aspect, if using double or tripple amount of space one will need equally added amount of albums, shelves, more cost etc. ... Personally I would probably have included all the castles on the same page, without the varieties, just like you did stamjay . Space is very important to me! I don't have a shelf to store stamps, let alone a bookcase or a whole room My latest revision is here, along with the other pages I'm working on. I've kept the castles in two sections; regular and coil stamps, ordered by face value, one of each unique image. I've added a note with the date for those issued after the initial set but I'm not sure that I'm happy with that. In this case, I've haven't saved any space as it's still two pages but I'm not so interested in collection different perforations. My main concern is finding a consistent style. I used columns in the Post Office Technology page to spread the stamps out as they felt too close but when I've tried that with others, they felt too far apart. |
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brightonpete
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Post by brightonpete on Jul 11, 2020 20:14:50 GMT
I recently adopted the practice off adding extra info within the bounding box of each stamp. Info that isn't pertinent to the display. So, I now add the value and colour (helpful with lots of missing stamps) and catalogue numbers (Scott, Michel, SG etc). I have the header above the stamp with its theme and date of issue (centred). Underneath I add info for what the stamp was issued. I don't have a great mind, less so with age (!) so I find it helpful instead of going back to a catalogue to see why the stamp was issued.
But then everyone has their idea of what looks right. It is all trial and error trying to see what looks right in your eye. I am constantly changing things up. Like my Germany collection. I just changed the page header in the border from "Germany" to the year. Everything in the binder is German, so how often do I have to remind myself of that? I now like the year up top. But I'm not going to change all now, they can stay as they are!
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