Restoring An Old Album

Ok, I've decided to restore the album and stamps for my grandfather's UN collection, which runs complete from the beginning to 1967 or so. All mint, mounted with hinges.

The album is an old Elbe, Washington Album. This is a springback album and its spring has sprung. The spring is no longer effective and needs to be replaced. It no longer holds the paper securely.

Does anyone know a source for a replacement? I've tried my google skills but I haven't turned up anything.

The actual paper is 11 inches wide by 11.5 inches high. The portion of the page that looks like it is intended to be seen is 8.5 inches wide. That makes the mounting field 8.5x11.5.

I'd like to preserve the actual original pages. I like them. As a sample, I am attaching a partial scan of a sample page. Doesn't really do it justice. Maybe you all would think otherwise.

If I cannot repair to locate a new springback binder, any ideas?

I suppose I could slice off the side of the paper and get down to 8.5 by 11.5, but that is still a funny size.

I could photo reduce but given the overall width of the paper, I do not have ready access to a scanner that can handle this. I do suppose I can take two scans and stitch it together, but that is a lot of work.

I'd appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

-Larry

These won't be cheap, but I bet they have what you want Springback Binders. Maybe you can find a reseller.

KirkS

Does it HAVE to be an Elbe springback binder? Or can it be any replacement, any color...? There are a few alternative manufacturers.

Also, I assume you aware that NEW springback binders tend to be the most expensive of all the philatelic binders -- even more expensive than the 13-ring and up binders.

No, it needn't be an Elbe or for that matter any brand. I don't care about the binder. I care about the pages inside.

I'd just like to find a binder that fits. I'm not even committed to maintaining it as a springback. If I could find a binder that fits, I'd happily drill holes in it if need be.

Its just that the paper size, 11.5 x 11 seems weird to my limited understanding and experience.

Kirk,

Thanks for the link. An email has gone off and we shall see. Hopefully I'll hit pay dirt.

Best,

-Larry

OK, not caring about the binder makes it a lot easier and cheaper.

As it turns out, almost all the major album manufacturers will make an album that will fit 11" wide pages. Rather than list them, it's easiest to simply call up a supply dealer and get a quote. However, many of those binders are not standard 3-hole punch.

This would be my suggestion. If you don't mind punching 3 holes in the pages, just go to your local office supply store (Office Depot, Office Max, Staples...) and check out their over-sized binder section. If they don't have it in stock, they can usually special order it. It will save you a ton of money. I don't know what they call them now, but what you are looking for used to be called "extra-long"/"extra-wide" binders. Again, worst case, call a supply dealer and get a quote directly.

On a side note, I frequently check out the clearance sections at the office supply stores. Every once and a while you can pick up some overstock or discontinued large binders and zipper binders, as well as odd-sized binders (including the "extra-long") for $1-$3. I've used 50+ of these large binders for my collection, at a cost of roughly $100 (after factoring in coupons). I particularly love the color zipper binders (binder and dust case in one, and I can color code my collection!). The equivalent philatelic binders would have cost me thousands.

Just a thought...

k

KHJ,

thanks. I will give that a try.

(I had sent out some emails to some of those firms without much luck, but let me try some of the things you're suggesting.)

-Larry

Check with Stanley Gibbons, as they still sell springback albums.

David

A member of our club brought two German springback albums from the 1920's to our club auction and said sell them as club lots..the money going to the club treasury...the engraving and the binders was magnificent.....nobody wanted them for anyprice !! I just have no room or I would have taken them....if you look around..or have access to stamp shows I think you can find one !!

I may have some UN items for you. If interested let me know, I'll dig them out and post some scans. I'm not sure what condition some of them are in, mostly mint. I haven't looked at them in years and not sure when I got them.