To Hinge Or Not Hinge

I like Sid Vicious' version better...just sayin'
(I did it my way)

I use mounts for my older U.S. collection, hinges for my bureau precancels, and a combination of stock books and vario pages for my South Korea collection.

I use hinges or mount+hinge.

Mount+hinge is using a hinge to attach the mount to the page.
I create custom pages, so stamps are frequently moved from page to page.
The hinged mount faciliates this by keeping the stamp inside the mount at all times.

Stockbooks and varios are just not as interesting to look at as a page with a write up.
Also, I've damaged more stamps (perfs usually) putting them into stockpages and glassines than I have when removing hinges or inserting stamps in mounts.

But that's just me.

I've started using that methodology as well. Hinging the mount makes it really easy to move a stamp around on my home made pages too.

Anyone have experience with these stamp hinges? Found them in a store today (yes, in 2011) and although the packet says "(R) 1955", the address uses a 5 digit ZIP code, so I suspect the product is more accurately dated to the mid 1960's.



Even if I should decide not to use these hinges, the colorfully printed envelope makes for a nice looking stamp-related collectible (and for Americans, it refreshing to see a product that was "Made in USA" and "Printed in USA".

wt1,

I used those in the 1970's. When the time came to remount the collection (in the early part of this century) there were no problems.

As with all hinges, use as little moisture as possible (don't be sipping anything while hinging). Use light moisture, not wet. Basically just breathe on it.

Not that I'm against sipping - I just wait until I'm admiring my work.

Thanks for the information. As an aside to this, I came across these "testing" results of various brand stamp hinges, including the ones mentioned above. Interesting analysis and special note for the "Fold-O-Hinge" was that results may vary from package to package, so they should be tested on expendable stamps on a trial basis before use:

http://www.stamps.org/care/subp19.htm

wt1,

I recently purchased ten packs of the 1000 ct Fold-O-Hinge's for my bureau precancels. I have read a lot of great things about these and I have not had any problems thus far. Seems to be comparable to the old Dennison hinges, but easier on the wallet.

If I may ask, how much was the store selling those packs for?

No more of the old 25-cent packages; the store was selling them at $1.95. Still reasonable in my opinion, as I typically cut them in half anyway and get 2000 stamps mounted for the price of 1000 hinges, which comes out to less than 1/10ths of a cent.

My intended use of these stamp hinges are exactly the same as what you are using them for: My collection (accumulation) of precancels that is starting to get out of hand. I'm slowly printing album pages for each State and mounting the stamps by town and type.

i prefer a postally used stamp..so the hinge causes little harm..i do not like to hinge a original gum stamp..prefer to let it remain virgin !!

wt1,

Wow, $1.95 for a pack of 1000? The cheapest I have seen these on ebay is for around $8.00 per pack. I think $1.95 is VERY reasonable! I wish I had the opportunity to snatch a few packs at that price. Nice find.

NEVER!

I would use hinges mounts or stock books to store any and all mint stamps. The volume of stamps that I have that are used or worth very little above catalog minimum are the only stamps that I would hinge into an album.

I didn't realize it was such a bargain. Maybe I'll go back and buy up the other 2 or 3 packages they had on their shelf at the $1.95 price.

So hinges are the ugly pieces of .... that I have been seeing on most of my newly acquired stamps?

I was wondering what those were and who would do such a stupid thing to a perfectly good stamp...

Mounts...defo.

Yes, that's right,
I am one of those people who do
such stupid things, I hinge all my mint unhinged stamps,
You see it as stupid because it does not
conform to your way of thinking.
You have a closed mind.
I am here to say collecting is a democracy.