I'm somewhat inclined to recommend a new, 2-volume Harris Statesman, and I have a very lengthy explanation as to why, although you might change your mind before you're done reading.
The album conundrum is a tough one for a new collector, there's no doubt. Here was my path: Harris Traveler(childhood album), ran out of space. Mystic Lotta album (about 10 years ago), flimsy pages were a turnoff, plus I don't like blank pages, I want a designated space for every stamp. Canadian Wholesale Supply Phoenix album (about a year ago): poorly executed album by the manufacturer, again, spaces filled almost immediately. And now... I'll tell you about what I do for albums in a bit. However, what you may want to do is explore the available stamps out there first *before* buying an album.
Worldwide mixtures are dirt cheap. You can buy enough stamps to keep you busy for ages on just about any budget. I collected as a kid, but I decided to pick it up again a little over a year ago (I'm 44 now). I knew I liked worldwide stamps, but didn't really know how I wanted to proceed with collecting as an adult. I started off ordering worldwide mixtures and packets. 100 for $3 there, 150 for $4 there. A ounce off paper here, a pound on paper there, etc. Dozens of mixtures and thousands of stamps later, I started to get a good idea of what was out there and what appealed to me. Eventually I decided to collect certain countries, and my buying habits have become a little more focused on those countries.
I now print my own pages from stampalbums.com, AKA "Steiner Pages" as they are often referred to here. Cost is very little concern and I can print a whole country at a time, almost at a whim. They are nice looking pages, and I house my favorite ones in nice Lighthouse binders (on
ebay from about $23 each on up) that are very sturdy and look fantastic lined up on a shelf. Standard office binders also work for $5 apiece, and I house some countries in those, at least temporarily. However, you basically have to have a Scott Catalogue or access to one to use these pages as they are not illustrated and they don't come with catalog numbers. There's a brief description of each stamp or series with a place for them, but unless you know how to read foreign languages, it's not much help on some issues. And you can fill up a shelf with those pretty easily as well, but for me, it's exciting watching my collection grow.
If you want pre-printed, illustrated pages, you first need to realize that there are 2 kinds of albums: inexpensive ones, and comprehensive ones (or ones that at least attempt to be). There is no album that is both, except the print your own option. If you're willing to spend $100 or so, the Harris Statesman (2 volume) is about as good as you'll get for illustrated in that price range. If you want to collect a lot of different countries, but not more than a few hundred of any of them, this will be fine. But there are dozens of countries where you can acquire more stamps than that without even meaning to. If you are willing to spend a bit more, I think Canadian Wholesale has a 4-volume album in the $2-$300 range, but the same caveats apply about space.
From there you go up to either Scott Specialty (country-specific) pages or the International series. If you want to just collect stamps from before 1940, Scott's 4-volume set (very comprehensive) will set you back at least $600-$700 with binders. Further expansions of that after 1940 are similarly expensive, per volume. Individual countries are probably $100 on up with binders.
Again, what I'd really recommend is buying some stamps, figuring out what countries or regions appeal to you and go from there. Search for lots on
ebay or search the classifieds at linns.com The main site at Linn's is subscriber only, but you can access their advertising without a subscription. Go to "marketplace" and then click on "classified ads". Under "classification" search for mixtures and lots or whatever might catch your attention. You can get some unbelievable deals on stamps from some sellers there.
Ironically enough, after the whole process I've gone through over the past year or so, now I've basically narrowed down my collecting area to Germany, at least for the foreseeable future. After going though tens of thousands of stamps from every conceivable country, I decided there's more than enough there to keep me busy and challenged for a long time. I already have a quite comprehensive Germany album printed in 5 volumes, but after all that, I now know enough about what I want to collect, and I could just go buy a nice Germany set from Scott or Lighthouse or the other major album manufacturers, and not worry about getting the right worldwide album.
If you want something to use while you're figuring that out, I'd say get a new 2-volume Harris Statesman. By the time you fill that up, you'll have a better idea of what you like and where to go from there. It's not that expensive and if your interests change, it'll still be useful for certain purposes.
Posted 01/14/2014 5:26 pm
