Stamp Mount Preferences

Its generally agreed that while more expensive, mounts are far better for collections than hinges.

So, what type or brand of mount do you use?
Do you prefer a clear or black background?
Do you get pre-cut sizes or long strips you cut yourself

Etc.

 

I have an album ( most of my stamps remain in stockbooks ) and it employs clear galssine pouches, very visible and very safe.
What about you Sarah, what do you use yourself?

 

I'm a lapsed collector (collected as a child) getting back into the pursuit, Tu7. When I collected as a kid, I used hinges. I didn't know about mounts and related issues at that time. So I'm asking these questions for my benefit, and that of other newbies, since I am newly getting back into the pursuit. I have limited funds right now, so admit I purchased hinges...but its a lesser issue since most of my stamps are used. Any really goods ones I'd put in a stock book or buy a mount. (I'd probably but the long strips, more affordable = more money for stamps)

 

I used an ordinary album which has a white background when I started to collect stamps.
I now do have some stock books with black background and clear galssine pouches.

 

i always use clear mounts for my albums, and even a for more valuable stamps i have storeed in my stockbooks for more protection

i never use hinges not even on used

 

Is there a good way of getting large numbers of hinges at a good price in Canada( preferably) or the USA?? The problem is their price. I looked on ebay and all the ones i saw were from the UK or Australia ? Its really expensive to buy large numbers of mounts. How many stamps does would a 100g diy strip like this cover, on average. (I know it would be variable, depending on size, how close I cut it etc).

Meanwhile, I am trying to come up with a temporary storage method I can use to separate hinges from stamps, and then replace as I buy proper mounts. I have something in mind, will have to see how it works

 

There's a stamp supply (Subway Stamps, Altoona, Pennsylvania) that carries hinges, but I don't have one of their catalog in front of me, so I can't quote you the prices they charge. Should be searchable on the internet.

I buy most of my stamps supplies (currently) thru Golden Valley Stamp and Coin, 2525 Nevada Ave. Suite #101, Golden Valley, Minnesota 55427. Phone # 763-544-4683or 1-800-815-3868. www.gvstamps.com.

They have Supersafe Hinges @ US$2.21, Prinz @ $2.44, Dennison (canada) @ $3.26, & Lindner @$ 2.56 (all per 1000 count packages). Can't tell you which one is better than t'other. Nothing on the market today (that I've found) offer the peel-ability found with the Dennison 'green' hinges from back in the 1960's.

Golden Valley also offers Hawid, Showgard, Prinz and Scott mounts; stock sheets (Hagner, Lighthouse, and Showgard in 1 to 8 pocket [black or clear]); and Lindner, Lighthouse, Showgard, and Supersafe stockbooks. It would probably be worth ordering from them for at least one order to get on their catalog mailing list.

As to how to get hinges off used stamps, I'd just throw them in a bowl of water and soak them off like we used to be able to do with lick 'em stamps on paper. If you're trying to get hinges off mint stamps, you can make your own StampLifter. Place a wet sponge in the bottom of a bowl, place a non-porous surface on top of the sponge and set the stamp on the non-porous surface and cover the bowl. Leave the stamp in the covered container 15-20 minutes, then you should be able to lift the hinge off the stamp with minimal gum disturbance. BUT, you might need to place the stamp in a drying book to keep the moist gum from curling the stamp(s). I'd recommend the Showgard Desert Magic Drying Book ($6-8) because they have pages that are glossy on one side and generally non-adhering to the wetted gum when the stamps are finally dry.

 

Thanks, Larry

I actually meant large numbers of mounts, not hinges. Hinges are easy to find. That's my mistake. That said, thanks for the links and the tips.

 

My opinion is that sticking a hinge on a mint stamps is not advisable

 

My order of mounts just came in - yay!

They are the variety that opens at the back. Are they supposed to adhere closed somewhat, or do I use tape to do that?
:/

 

The best way is to glue the top to the page Sarah and then raise the bottom of the split, slide the stamp upwards into the top and coax the bottom behind the stamp; thus pressing it to the page.

 

Gluing it to the page wasn't the problem, it was sealing the mount closed.

my Hawid mounts don't have adhesive on the edges, so I use a small amount of my scrapbooking adhesive to seal the bottom edge, this was I can reuse it and slide the stamp in/out.

I ordered these because they were the least expensive, so I could get more. They are OK, but a bit fragile. I'd prob. go with a more expensive brand as I reorder my supply.

 

Here is something you may find of use, I will admit that I have no idea about the cutter you are talking about. This is something I have owned for years @ least 10 or so. It is a Boston brand mini paper cutter. I have used it for years. And they are cheap or relatively speaking about $6.00 when I bout the first one. I currently own 2 of them one lives in the box with the laminating/ID card supplies. The pink card stock is the thickness of 3x5 cards, I have cut the thickness of pad backing on the scratch pads. thin metal foil, double layers of plastic laminating material.

They should be available at any of the big box office supplies store, or the craft big boxers hobby lobby, micheal's,etc. that sells the papercrafting. stamping supplies. Last time I looked they were under $10.00.


The cutting area is 3"x4" 75mmx100mm

 

For cutting I use a beveled steel ruler and a Stanley knife

 

Will have to pull a strip out and see today, I have some ten year old showguard mount strips that I used to mount circus tickets to pages. If it will cut that stuff it will cut the new stuff.
One trick I learned a long time ago and in a galaxy far away, was to use card stock or cover stock like the bussines card weith as backing or worse case is you sandwich it bewteen two sheets and cut. Works 99 out of a 100 times.



The thin strip on the left was cut with out the card stock, the right edge is the side cut with the paper cutter.

The wider strip on the right was cut with the mount sandwiched between two file cards, it is the left edge between the cards, the right edge is the natural edge out of the package.