Mount Vs Stockpage Costs

OK, follow my math and feel free to challenge. I just bough a 5 page pack of 6 row Vario sheets for $3.71. Assuming I can get at least 4 stamps per row that is 48 per double side page and 240 for my package. That makes the cost about 1.5 cents per stamp.

I also bought a package of Showgard strips to cut into mounts. I got 50 for $15.75. If I get 5 stamps per strip I think that works out to be 250 stamps and 6.3 cents per stamp.

That's a pretty nasty difference. Apply the difference to 10,000 stamps and that's $480.00 - I can buy a nice zep with that!

Of course hinges blows them all away but that's another debate.

Stockpages have their drawbacks. I rarely use mounts, so don't assume my comments are against using stockpages). I haven't really kept count, but I'm sure I currently use about 500-1000 Varios to house part of my collection.

Stockpages increase the bulk/weight of your collection more than mounts. Because the strips on the stockpages are fixed, you are limited in your layout (mounts allow for free form). For example, for sets that include a S/S, it's difficult to put the stamps and S/S together on same page without having the S/S sticking out of the strip (which is a very dangerous for the S/S).

If you collect a country/area by chronological or catalog order, I find stockpages are often not practical for modern stamps, which tend to vary significantly in size/shape. Before then, most stamps were pretty uniform in shape, so you could pretty much use 6/8-strip pages for the pre-1900 stamps, and 5/6-strip pages for pre-1950 stamps. After that, you really have to think things through to get the right arrangement of pages. Those are some of the problems I've encountered over the years. So as a result, my collection is sort of a mishmash of stockpages, stockbooks, and country albums.

So I can understand why many collectors go through the expense and time of using mounts. Mounts are not cost-effective, but if you like the look and freedom of using mounts, cost is not always the main factor that is considered. ***I have to admit considerable admiration when I view/purchase albums with mounted stamps.*** Of course, I just as happily tear the album apart to get to the stamps I want! )

In terms of cost effectiveness, you will get some money back for the stockpages when you sell your collection. You will unlikely get any bonus for using mounts, unless they buyer plans on using the same album rather than incorporating the stamps into their own album. Either way, you will lose a lot more money using the mounts during resale.

It does mount up. ( pun intended )

I have a world wide classic era collection with a significant number of stamps that previously had been hinged, and are or close to minimum catalog value or a bit more.
I have no problems putting hinges on them. I save the mounts for somewhat higher catalogue value stamps. Obviously, if you have mint stamps or higher catalogued value stamps, then "my" solution will be a non starter for you.

I agree -- it is a nasty difference. But as someone who lays out his own album pages, I like to use mounts (rather than stocksheets) for appearance. I do, however, use stocksheets for staging the stamps pre-mounting.

Also, buy the longer strips. You get less wastage.

I use both, I like a printed album with mounts. But stock pages a very versatile for moving things around. Nice benefit as the mounts are a one shot deal.

Now for hinges.


Any one seen the increase a a pack of original Dennisons lately.
We might want to start buying them up because they have far outpace the price of even gold!

I would add that one thing I don't like is seeing mounts and hinges on the same page. Do all of one or the other on a page by page basis or have separate pages for unused (mount) and used (hinged) stamps. But there is always an exception I guess.

Because I am a collector of everything, Using mounts or vario sheets are simply too expensive.

By now everyone knows that I am hinger and proud of it. When I first started off I kept my spares in glassines filed in small file boxes from the dollar store. Then I finally figured out that is was cheaper to use stock books. 1000 #2 glassines cost almost 80 buck and 2 32 page stock books cost 30 something and hold about the same amount of stamps.

Dianne

Dianne Earl, Do you also hinge your mint stamps? I also have seen on ebay Showgard mounts quite cheap, but listing says they are seconds without noticeable flaws. Has anyone tried the Showgard seconds?

Yes, and I have yet to detect any flaws!

Thanks, tomiseksj. Many of the offers are for double packs, so it seems like a good deal for me, then.

ncbuckeye

The majority of my collection is used but in a pinch I will hinge Mint stamps. They are usually minimum value, I hope I don't get stoned

Dianne