Mounting Stamps

My 2 cents on mounts. I also had the dilemma way back of whether to use clear or black mounts. I came down on the Showgard black mounts for a number of reasons.

They show off the perforation detail nicely.
They set the stamps off from the album page.
They aren't as shiny as some other mounts.

But the most important reason for me is that I collect mint and used, often shown on the same page. To me an album page with a number of used stamps seems to look a bit untidy when the stamps are mounted in clear mounts. Putting them in black mounts not only separates the stamps from the album page visually, but also from each other, making a more satisfying arrangement. Just me being fussy, I suppose.

Terry

Hi Terry

I have been chastised a few times for putting relatively inexpensive used stamps in a black Showgard mount. However, like you, I mount used stamps on the same page as mint stamps.

I may not have a mint stamp to complete a set so I will temporarily insert a used copy. Besides, eventually I may replace the used stamp with a mint copy and voila! I already have the mount in place. This turns out to be important to me as I use blank quadrille pages exclusively.

I feel the page looks a lot better with every stamp in a mount than a page mixed with mounts and hinged stamps. I personally use Showgard mounts. I tried Scott mounts but they seemed thinner than Showgard. The advantage of Scott is that they are not as shiny as Showgard.

Jerry B

Hi Jerry B,

Yes. As you clearly do, I feel that presentation should be the best you can achieve at reasonable cost. Also some used stamps are worth more than their MNH equivalent. So mounts it is for all my stamps. I have a few packs of Dennison's original peelable hinges in reserve though, should I ever need them.

PS. Had to go with Showgard, can't get the Scott mounts in the UK. But I like the thickness and stiffness of the Showgard mounts.

Terry

Hi Terry

Are you able to get Prinz mounts in the UK? I think they are similar to Scott (I heard that Prinz and Scott are the same, just different names, but that is a rumor).

Jerry B

Hi Jerry B,

Yes, Prinz mounts are readily available here. And now you mention it I recall reading in several sources that Prinz and Scott are the same mount. The Prinz mounts I have seen were a bit thicker than the Showgard product. Showgard do the job well.

Terry