Tell Me About Stock Books.

So, as I sort through all these stamps from the 90s and early 2000s and stick them in glassine envelopes and manilla folders, I started to think it would be better to store this stuff in some stock books.

Problem is, I don't know a damn thing about stock books. I've never used one. Don't know what to look for, what brands are good, and even if they'll hold any of the larger sheets that the USPS issues like the civil war sheet.

Any guidance people can provide would be welcome. I'm looking for temporary storage until I can mount the stamps in an album.

I have about 25 or so of the Canadian Uni safe stock books all of which came with the collection I was given years ago. What I can say from basically not having the option is don't buy the white paged ones-- With Black you have far better visibility and if scanning paages they are so much nicer. Most I have are the 16 page (32 sides) and I find that is a good size where the couple 32 page (64 sides) are more dificult to fill staying within a subject .topic or year range. I'm still thinking of buying a bulk lot of black pages and just going with binders to allow easy additions without re working everything else. Problem is to much attention to buying more stamps and not enough to properly housing them.

Are all the pages in a stockbook the same. or do some pages have larger pockets for se-tenants and souvenir sheets?

All pages are the same(I think 8 rows without looking) but you can display blocks or most newer sheets . However they are simply sitting in the one row and open loose other than that. That has alot to do with wanting to go to stock sheets and binders since you can get them in all sorts of sizes.

Is there a better option for temporary storage that stockbooks/stock pages?

I use Linder, Lighthouse and Supersafe stock books. So far the Supersafe is the LEAST liked of the three brands.

My Supersafe is a normal hard bound book style. Very rigid binding on the pages. As you add more and more stamps you get a 'fat side' effect the same as if you stuffed your stamps in any hard cover book.

Linder and Lighthouse use a more flexible binding. Linder has a 1/2" flex joint and Lighthouse is about 5/8". This way adding stamps does not cause the right side to flare out an inch wider than the binding.

I have both white and black page books. Both work fine for me as I do not scan from the book. I use other holders when scanning.

Also, you can use stock books for souvenir sheets by placing them in the lowest slot one per page.

An alternative for temporary storage would be a simple school binder. Buy some manilla and plastic pocket stock sheets as needed. I use manilla for temp storage of used stamps and a few mint. I use the plastic pocket type for holding more valuable stock especially mint. The plastic pocket can be purchased in a wide variety of formats such as one pocket for souvenir sheets.

Like these:

I do use stock book, but very limited. Most of stuff in Showgard Stock sheets
which comes with different pockets. no 5,6,4,3,2,1 works better.
very few 7 sizes I have.
For sheets I use Protector sheets (Avery),point is should be acid free
archive quality.

Showgard sheet are less expensive than Vario and Supersafe.









tikithindi

I ended up getting Vario stock sheets from my local stamp store. I got more than half of my waiting to be mounted stuff put away quickly before I ran out of space. Overall, a nice improvement over the manila folders and glassine envelopes I have lying around all over the place.

Unfortunately here in Artesia, calif area, near Cerritos or
Orange county. there is no local stamp shop. There are some in
proper Los Angles.
I buy on Internet. greendragonsuff.com prices are very competitive
than others. Showgard just for price wise little less expensive.
Vario, Safeguard also I like. For different Pocket sizes have combined.

Binder I use Avery 1 1/2, 2" size.