Hinges From The 1930's; Question

I bought an old Nicklin album that the original owner used larger, rounded corners hinges. I'm certain this is from the 1930's.

Are these type of hinges available today? I can't seem to find referrence to hinge size / shape.

I doubt they are still available today, although you may occasionally find something similar on ebay, etc.

The type of stamp hinges used in the 1930s likely predated "peelable" stamp hinges that were so common in the succeeding decades. I think the old "rounded" type of hinges were the ones that you often see on old time stamps that became very brittle and could only be soaked off the stamp for removal. That is, of course, assuming that the stamp hinges were purchased in the US. Other countries had an array of different stamp hinges and manufacturers that were exclusive to certain other regions of the world.

welcome BETTAGUY2 ,WT1 answer I agree with . Also the early firms didn't sell direct to the public. They wholesaled to other firms and stamp companies so you will find a huge number of hinge packets with various names .

Occasionally you'll find them in old collections. Usually, the collector would keep a small stock of hinges, and he may not have used them all before the collection was sold.
If you do find some, I don't suggest using them. Those hinges are hard to remove and could damage your stamps.

Hi,
Have to agree with the previous posters. Also gotta say....... you are very fortunate those peelable hinges were used. In the past year I've picked up about 15 old albums, and some had hinges made of tape, others had "oil" in them which affected the stamps, and so on.

bettaguy2,

I'm not sure if your original question was aimed more at trying to estimate the age of the stamps OR if you were intending to get new hinges and put them on the back of the stamp.

If the latter, my own unsolicited opinion would be to not put hinges on the back of stamps but instead mount any stamps in either stock books, or hingeless mounts. I suppose that some on the community would disagree and still endorse and use hinges on used and mint stamps. But I am not in that camp because I believe protecting the front and back of the stamp, and doing no more damage is good for the value and the future. As Canadian Ace said.

just my viewpoint, apologies in advance if this was not your intent.

Thank you for your responses Everyone. I found an auction on ebay for an OG hinged Scott #650. The top of the hinge is still attached.

The stamp is from the time frame I referred to, and the hinge remnant looks like the hinge type I am inquiring about.

So this is likely that the hinge is not removable unless soaked in water?

The reason I asked about this hinge type is my Wife and I want to continue to collect in this old album as the original owner had. The collection is used US stamps. We acquried the album from a dealer.

One reason to collect used stamps with hinges is mounts for mint stamps would make the pages bulge too much. The album is hard bound.

The original owner wrote her name and date on the opening page. Certainly, this modest collection meant something to her. I'm assuming she didn't sell the collection, but perhaps she did.

As odd as this may sound, my Wife and I want to continue to collect in this album in her memory. Certainly, we can do so with hinges sold today.

Thanks again for Everyones replies.

bettaguy2,

your approach is understandable. and I suspect every collector approaches the organization and storage differently.

in my case, I had an uncle who was an old time and massive collector, and I ended up selling his entire collection, but taking his newfoundland stamps (and so relate to your comment about continuing in the memory). my only particular approach to all the stamps that were hinged, might be different or heresy to some but I mention it in case you might consider it : I slowly and deliberately removed each and every hinge from the stamps. in some cases quite easily with tongs. in other cases, with approved liquids. but in this way, I reduced the bulge issue and presented them much better (i went for simple stock books initially, then lighthouse hingeless pages). you can also still collect hinged stamps, and remove them too. its an investment and time, but in the end for me, it presents the stamps much better for the eons.

just my approach, but there is no right or wrong.

enjoy

bettaguy2, you've given me warm fuzzies. =) I'm sure you and your wife will enjoy working on the collection together, however you decide to proceed.

Hi bettaguy2,

Welcome to this place. There is a product called "STAMPLIFT". Apply carefully with a small art brush at the back of the stamp, but only to the stuck part of the hinge. After a few seconds you can ease the hinge away gently with the edge of stamp tongs without too much disturbance to the gum of mint stamps. This works just as well on the part of the hinge stuck to the album page and eliminates damage caused by peeling the dry hinge off the paper.

I now use hinges for mint mounted and used stamps as I still prefer the look of this traditional method of displaying stamps. Mounts have their advantages, but they do seem to dull the stamp appearance a bit. I guess I just like to see the actual stamp. Mounts for precious mint stamps only.

Good luck with your project.

Terry