Quick Questions

Hello everyone, Im new to the whole collecting stamps hobbie and I wanted to see if I can get some advice from you all. I already have a few stamps that are MNH and im currently looking for a stock book. what would you guys say that is a good company for stock book that aren't pricey but at the same time they are good? I was looking thru Amazon and and I happened to bump into these two that caught my attention:

http://www.amazon.com/Lighthouse-64...07201&sr=8-8

http://www.lindner-usa.com/index.ph...oducts_id=95

As far as placing the stamps inside the stock book do you guys buy special things like hinges, or use mounts? or could you just put it in the clear strip the stock book brings already? the reason why I ask is because I wouldn't want to mess up the gum in the back of the stamp in any sort of way.

Both are good reliable companies. I use Supersafe stockbooks and Vario stock pages that fit in just about everytype of binder. I do not use mounts or hinges in a stockbook because they could ruin the paper backing. Just place the stamps behind the glassine strips or interweaving. The stockbooks will not damage your stamps as long as you don't overfill them and keep them in high humid area's. I would also suggest a good pair of stamp tongs if you don't already have a pair.

BTW
Welcome. Please tell us more abour your collecting interests.

Welcome ov3rkill.

Neat name. Is that 3 a cubed 3 or have some other meaning? If I can ask?

The stock book names are both good in your links.

The hinges are used to attach stamps to a paper album page, so would change a MNH to a MH (mint hinged) stamp. Not so good usually.

Mounts are good for attaching stamps (mint or used) to paper album pages also.

The stock books (or plastic stock pages) are usually used to sort stamps before you attach them in to an album.

However, Everyone does it differently. Try different ways until you find something you like. Or see someone else doing things in a way you like.

I use plastic pages with strips and stock books as I am somewhat of a random collector. Years ago I did have a couple paper paged albums though.

All depends on how you want to do it and what you are doing. Lots of folks have a little of each, or find a system or way they like and stick with it for a while.

An important thing to get first is stamp tongs. Looks like tweezers but are not tweezers. They are designed not to harm the stamps. Different types and the more pointy are of course the more dangerous for stamps but some (me too) prefer them. I also have a bent spade type of tongs for getting stamps out of the water after soaking.

Sniped by the quick on the keyboard stamperdude!
I must use more oil and grease in my crankcase and axles.
Creak creak creak . . . me typing with two fingers.

Thanks for the input guys really helpful and thanks for the welcome!!
As far as the meaning of the 3 is not much really just have had this name for a while so im just used to using it in every forum I register haha!

For right now im not completely decisive in a certain type of collection that I want to start collecting so im just picking out random stamps that catch my attention until I can make up my mind and then organize them the way it suits me.
I kinda like the stock books idea better than using hinges or mounts in paper albums pages, For now at least. I don't know if that sounds tacky but hehe! As far as the stamps being place behind the glassines in the stock book I figured they would be alright as long as the room isn't super hot enough to start having the gum stick to the material, so at cool temp should be fine. Now my next step is looking for tongs, I've seen many types but in my opinion the pointy ones get me kinda nervous for some reason so I think I might choose one like this one :
http://www.lindner-usa.com/index.ph...ducts_id=997

The ones in the top pic (there are two types shown) I call spade tipped. I haven't seen the bottom pic type yet (but I like them).

Either or would work nice;y.

To really worry about humidity you have to be in a climate like spock1k is (India) or the tropics during the rainy season. Around the temperate latitudes the humidity can curl stamps even so but just keep things dry, away from a lot of direct sunlight (fading) and use a dust cover for long term storage (mildew, other interesting buggies) for any album you may get.

Experiment with cheaper stamp first before you try things with the expensive ones.

I just looked at your first links, at the stock books. The white pages may look nice and clean but black background is usually better to show the stamps. (I find for myself anyway, I know others on here differ in opinion on this matter.)

The stamp's white edges blend into the white background. Which makes it harder to see the little fellows especially when one's eyes are not quite up to snuff. Life is a new adventure every day.

Hey puzzler that is one thing that I didnt think about and I am really glad you mentioned it. I figured white looks nice but I forgot the edges would blend in and it is already bad enough I use glasses hehe!

So im going to shoot for the black one, what type of stamps do you guys collect?

ov3rkill...Follow the answers here to your questions and you'll be on your way. My stock books have white backgrounds but I don't think it makes a big difference, white or black. Welcome.

Allan

white is also usually cheaper

Many valid considerations. I have never tried white stock pages nor seen them in person but I could see how their aesthetic appeal would make them feel cleaner and more pristine. perhaps better for mint stamps (?).

I collect (mainly) stamps like my avatar picture, Canada personalized Picture Postage, that you can create yourself (or buy or trade with others). The creative aspect attracted me. Not to say I have any talents that way at all. I like the animals stamps best. On regular stamps also. You should see some of the ones Bee See on here has done. Nice!

But they have limitations too as I am coming to fund out. No flags, no other stamps (stamp on stamp), no copyrighted stuff naturally. It's fun regardless though.

And I a collecting anything else that happens to come along. I did collect world for quite a few many years, got out of stamps as my eyes got bad and then as my eyes improved somewhat, got back into them again.

I like mostly used because that's how I started out, cheaper that way usually, and I like cancels, but was getting some Canada Post new issues for a few years also, like you are doing with USPS.

ov3rkill aka overkill
Are you a gamer? Just a thought in regards to your screen name.

Yea I usually played games under this name or with the "e" but I havent played any online games in a while.

Yea I usually played games under this name or with the "e" but I havent played any online games in a while.

The stamp pockets are different between black and white pages. In the stock books with black pages, the pockets are made of a clear Mylar plastic, so there is no obstruction in viewing the stamp. On the white pages, the pockets are made of glassine paper which is only partially transparent.

The plastic is pretty difficult to tear, whereas the glassine paper can tear fairly easily. But I find that as the books get old, the plastic pockets don't stay stuck to the page as well and are much more likely to split away from the page. You'll rip the glassine before you ever break the pocket away from the page, but with the plastic pockets, it's easy to push through the bottom of the pocket so it no longer sticks to the page, and then the stamp falls through the bottom of the pocket.

If you're going to use them as a method of displaying your collection, the black pages are better because of the unobstructed view. But if you're looking to use them mostly for storage and organizing, especially if you're going to pack the stamps close together or stack multiple copies one over top of the other, then you'll probably want to use white pages.

Ryan