Yikes, "Big Blue" Is Really Big !!

Hi,
Over the last few weeks I've been migrating the contents of a Scotts International Part 1 (1840-1939 ex USA) from the issued Part I binder to the 4 1/2 inch Scotts Blue binder.

With the many thousands of stamps (someday I'll count them), the quadrille blank pages, and the hundreds of glassine pages, it is pretty full.

I smile when I look at it, for it is what I've always wanted. But gee whiz, that thing is BIG and HEAVY!

To those of you that have (or had) one, do they last? Or do you find they are just too inconvenient and you had to split them into smaller binders? Or, did they physically fall apart?

Thanks all!

They fall apart ......I have my master set ,which doesn't get handled or used that often maybe three times a year . Most collectors maybe I should say all worldwide collectors are not familiar with the problems once a collection gets over 300,000 different . At that level you can't be taking down and flipping thru your albums for every new stamp or set of stamps. You need a established system that feeds those new stamps to reduce time and the banging around of your main album set .

I second that the binders fall apart. In addition, the end pages and album pages at the front and the back are prone to rip out. I pretty much have the "ripping" under control with heavy duty reinforcements but have resigned myself to replacing the binders every few years. (Although I do reinforce the binders with booktape that adds some additional life.) I think this has said before, but anecdotally, the thinner binders may last longer as they are under less stress. In any event, my 1840-1940 collection with 20K+ stamps took two large binders with interleaving. It has now spilled over to three with the addition of 1940-1949. I do like the idea of a one volume collection--just don't know how to make that happen.

I'm with floortrader. I split up my collection too.


-IBFS

I'm curious as I don't collect worldwide (yet). Why do the binders fall apart?

Is it because they are too full? That is, would starting with more binders only modestly filled improve things?

And/or Is it the quality of the binders? Scott binders don't look to be the most hard wearing, but I [have] limited experience with them.

Hi HungaryForStamps,

I think the Scott 'Big Blue', 'National' and 'Speciality' album binders are very well made. It is the sheer weight of paper they are made to hold. One 4.5 inch wide binder will hold well over 200 interleaved heavyweight pages. This weight of paper puts terrific strain on 2 post and 3 ring binder systems and the paper punchings, particularly when being lifted. I much prefer narrower binders and use 2 inch wide Frank Godden 'Warwick' and 'Popular' 2 post binders. These comfortably hold 100 interleaved pages and are easier, and nicer, to handle than a building block sized album.

The problem with international collections is the vast number of stamps to be accommodated in albums and the decisions of economy the album makers have to make. Personally I would prefer the Scott 'National' and 'Speciality' albums for my USA collections but the 2 inch is only available now as a 3 ring binder. Scott have discontinued the 2 inch wide 2 post binders which I would much prefer. Bad move that.

Terry

This topic has re-awakened my aborted attempts to get a couple 'National' or 'Speciality' 2 inch, 2 post binders and a set of 1847-1934 leaves. Some while back someone posted the name of a very nice, and helpful, lady at Scott but I have lost my notes. I am minded to contact them again and would appreciate having the lady's name, if anyone recalls it.

Thanks in anticipation
Terry

The blue binder is just not made to both handle the weight of the pages and the regular handling of taking them off the bookcase and opening and closing at the desk .That is why I handle them less than most collectors .I purchase a working set of Internationals and fill them for a year or two and then match it up to my main collection ,after the working set is finish and the missing stamps are added to my main collection. The working set is put up with a auction house and sold . This serves three purposes for me. It first serves as a way to keep the handling down on my main albums . Second it serves as a way to find color shades and replace poorer quality stamps with better copies .Third ,is that I get the best possible price for my extras at auction ....

Hi,
Thanks all for the input; I do appreciate hearing your take on the subject.

I look at that Big Blue and it does make me smile. But I realize it needs to be handled with kid gloves or it will soon go downhill.

I do have reinforced pages on either end, and heavy manila inner covers front and back. My intent is to store it on its side, and to save up stamps for "bulk installations" so as to limit the times it is handled. Even with that, I don't know how long it will "still look good".

As some suggested, I may end up going to two of the smaller albums at some point.

But for now, this still makes me pretty happy!

And that's what it is all about.

Thanks for the information Terry and all. Should I ever start a Scott International collection I'll use some of these tips. (I have been watching WW Scott Int'l auctions for some time, but just haven't had the gumption to pull the trigger.)

All of my Scott Blue Jumbo International binders bought in the early 1990s are in very good condition. Having said that, I handle them quite carefully. I have replaced many of the heavy stock, end, papers due to the ripping. These are much cheaper than buying more binders.

One thing I wish Scott would produce again are the thin cardboard page dividers. They produce those for the specialty albums, but not for the Internationals.