Canadian Album Preference

I like those diy pages..are there any special types of paper that you use for the pages. I'm looking into making some also but unsure about the type of paper they should be mounted on. I'm not looking to print out on just regular printer paper. I want something that would last a long time.

I have White Ace pages through 1977. I like the information that is included for each stamp but it isn't a cheap route to go and it is probably not best suited for completist. I use the Steiner pages after 1977. Steiner pages are probably better suited as they are not as simplified as White Ace. Steiner pages are print your own which is not something everyone cares to do:

http://www.stampalbums.com/

Hi Stampnut,

I make my own pages for my best items, mixing mint lightly hinged, used, blocks, covers and so on. After trying various papers I settled on archival / museum quality cream paper with a slight tooth (not shiny smooth) so it would take ink nicely ( I hand write my own pages.) Please note, acid free does not guarantee archival quality, and buffered paper is a cheap-ish alternative. Weight needs to be around 200 gsm/150 lbs if you are using mounts so the paper doesn't buckle on the reverse where the mounts are fixed. I chose a pale cream paper so there would be some contrast for the white margins of stamps that had them, and which were fixed with hinges.

I no longer bother with printing up borders or stamp boxes, I lightly rule up each page with guide lines in soft pencil. I have decided on making up my albums with an individual feel and look, without page borders, in the way that some of the old collectors did. Symmetry in page layout is nice, but becomes boring after a bit, so I let the content dictate the layout. If you are worried about your handwriting, and mine was awful, it can be improved. It is not necessary to be able to write in ornate copperplate style, just a neat slanting modern cursive. Avoid grandiose looping and ornate styles. You just need a bit of guidance and regular practice. It will come. Persevere and you will surprise yourself.

I hope this is of help to you.
Terry

Couple of things to think about:
- Use acid free paper
- Pick a weight of paper that will not flop around, but still can go through your printer (likely between 65 and 110 lb weight (175 - 240 g/m2)
- You can use 8.5 x 11 pages, but you'll either need to punch holes or put them in page protectors
- If you don't want to punch holes, there are 8.5 x 11 springback binders, but they are hard to find (I got some from www.mayapplepress.com)
- If you use page protectors, get archival ones - the cheap ones can harm the stamps and stick to the printing on the pages
- If you have access to a large-format printer or a copier that can handle larger sheets, you can think about using blank or gridded larger pages for an album. I use Stanley Gibbons Senator pages and one of their spring-back binders. These are now available in the US from Regency-Superior in St. Louis (www.regencystamps.com)
- If you want a really classy cover for your home-made album, especially if you're using 8.5x11 pages, check out the albums available from Exposures: www.exposuresonline.com

Good luck

I have been moving away from commercially-available, pre-printed albums and back into stockbooks as I begin the task of creating my own albums for my particular interests: Canada Christmas, Canada Caricature issue (1972-1979), Canada Peace issue (1946-52), Canada Krieghoff stamp (Unitrade #610) and Vatican Sede Vacante (yes, quite timely!)

My pre-printed exceptions are Canada Elizabethan definitives and Great Britain Machins, where I use prepared album pages by Robin Harris, available at http://www.adminware.ca/stamps.htm - some are FREE downloads! Robin is editor of the Unitrade Canada catalogue. He's got a pretty good sense of what needs to be in an album.

Nevertheless, no pre-printed album will ever allow the discerning collector to show each and every specific sample that one might find. That reality no longer frustrates me.

chipg has some great suggestions above.

I have a good, growing Canada collection and was tired of having this and that scattered in stockbooks. Last year, I bought Vol. 1 of the Dominion of Canada Stamp Album and I love it.
It was not super expensive, but offers nice display space and has a solid album. It's much better (and less timely) for me than trying to make my own pages. I just don't have that time, patience or talent. (Bless those who do; maybe someday for me - but will try a less challenging country first).

centerstage98, Dominion of Canada looks about right to be, can't tell though if its mounts or hinges? Or perhaps my ignorance is showing

hello,
I'm a new member to the group.
right now my main Canada album is a 25 year old MInkus that goes to 1980. from then to present I have purchased pages from sellers amd printed some from other sources.
I use Showgard mounts and I believe all my stamps are mint,MLH or MH.
I have ordered the first volume of the Davo hingeless album but I'm wondering if it's worth it since right now everything in is Showgard mounts and I would have to transfer them all to the Davo album.I'm looking ffor thoughts on the benefits of moving al those stamps. is the Davo album a safer way to store the stamps? I know the Showgard mounts are good.
thanks and it's ap;easure to belong to this forum

Welcome mpdiorio. We're glad to have you.
Be sure and post an intro the this formum https://goscf.com/f/11 so we can all get to know you better.

Kirk

Sorry - just getting back here - you can use hinges or mounts in the Dominion album... I mostly use mounts, but I use some hinges, too -

I only have the first volume, but I assume Vols 2 and 3 are of equal quality