Do You Use Black Or Clear Mounts? Why?

I like the focus to be on the stamp, not the mount.



The ideal would be if no mounts (or hinges) were used. Note how the pic shows the stamp in all it's realistic glory.

Sadly, something needs to hold the stamp.



I used hinges at first, but didn't like today's not very peelable varieties.

The next best thing are the clear mounts, which are fairly unobtrusive.

(Black mounts are fine too, I just prefer the more subtle clear mounts. What doesn't look good is putting black and clear mounts on the same page.)

One unintended benefit of clear mounts is that they are more forgiving to the eye, so they do not need to be cut as straight or mounted as perfectly.

I use black mounts for my MNH and hinges for my used. My preference is black mounts because I like the way it frames the stamp.

jkblue above gives the exact reasons why I use clear ones.

They are unobtrusive and are forgiving on the not-so-straight cuts.

Cheers
Ram

I use black mounts. I like the way they frame the stamps. I originally used hingeless pages, but the stamps didn't really stand out with white/cream paper and clear hingeless mounts.

I tend to agree with the "PostmasterGS". They make the stamp stand out from the page.

Well, I use clear, only because when I started back into stamps a couple of years ago, I had some old Crystal Mount left over from my youthful collecting days. So I started back in with that. But when I ran out I found I couldn't get it anywhere except ebay, so I continued with the top loading clear. I like it, compared with the back loading stuff, because you can trim to fit.
I do kind of agree with jkjblue, that the stamp itself makes the page, though the black does highlight the perfs.
If I were to start over, I don't know which way I'd go really. Certainly I'm finding the black easier to find in brick and mortar shops.

I have used black Showgard mounts until now, but have always been dissatisfied by the way they dull the appearance of the stamp on the album page. This seems to be the same whether the mounts are black or clear. I have a supply of the original green Dennison hinges which I use for mounting my postally used stamps and have always been taken by how much better and brighter the stamps look when mounted and written up on the page. As I have usually bought mint stamps as lightly hinged I am now seriously considering dumping mounts completely and laying in some more original Dennison's hinges. They really are easy peel and leave virtually no trace.

Terry

I have used black Showgard mounts until now, but have always been dissatisfied by the way they dull the appearance of the stamp on the album page. This seems to be the same whether the mounts are black or clear. I have a supply of the original green Dennison hinges which I use for mounting my postally used stamps and have always been taken by how much better and brighter the stamps look when mounted and written up on the page. As I have usually bought mint stamps as lightly hinged I am now seriously considering dumping mounts completely and laying in some more original Dennison's hinges. They really are easy peel and leave virtually no trace.

Terry

I use black mounts whenever possible. I think black background brings out the color of the stamps better than clear ones.

Hi

Since time immemorial I have used black Showgard mounts. As some posters state I feel they show off the stamp better, especially on blank pages.

In my collecting area there are stamps that are imperforate, perforated, sewing machine perforated and privately rouletted. Also there are colored papers and color shades. All this shows better with a black mount.

Jerry B

I use black mounts for everything; mint, used or fillers. I use black for the same reason that you want to scan a stamp using a black background, the stamp shows up better, IMHO.

Art

I use black mounts for my MNH and I use hinges on all of my used. My preference is black mounts because I like the way it frames the stamp and makes it stand out. My choice is Mystic and Scott mounts BLACK. The stamps are shown crystal clear and it makes it so much easier to distinguish between the mint and the used. I only keep used stamps long enough until I can replace them with Mint anyway. I rarely buy used stamps unless they are old or are stamps difficult to find.

I've bought the first two Lindner albums for Poland, but not I am regretting that I chose a album based on Michel instead of Scott. Might switch to mounts.

I use the clear mounts as well, but I make my own pages using black heavy paper. I like the way they stand out against the black but as mentioned like the clear mounts for the above reasons as well.

sirruspoe, I'd never considered mounting stamps on black paper (I make my own pages too). I'd love to see some, and how they look. Would you consider posting some (if you haven't already)?