Use Of Page Protectors

Here an interesting info, it's more about mount

http://stamps.org/userfiles/file/pc...Plastics.pdf

as I mention the sheets protectors at Staples are made of Polypropylene free of latex and PVC and from the test made one the test I link "Polypropylene pages had no stamps with ink transfer or color changes"

Now, paper have to breath, this is not the case in sheet protector. I still worry about high humidity been trap in the protector. If the collection is kept in a close room it's easy to place a a small aircon in summer to keep it around 50%


Bacteria will damages stamps, so use distillate water with a brush to moist the mounts or the hinges instead of saliva. Tap water and even more water from a well can contain fungus.

Printer Ink is it really a problem ?, the frames are not touching the stamps, they surround it. If someone is so worry about the ink, just don't print anything in the frame that will be under the stamps if you don't use mounts.

One problem with all air-drying inks is outgassing: you never really know when it stops and, obviously, changes in temperature & humidity can re-start it.

But one needs to keep all of these 'problems' in perspective. All stamps that have been kept in all mounts have been 'at risk' of temperature-triggered condensation of trapped humidity (for example), yet folks have been keeping stamps in mounts in albums for many years with few issues.

At some point, amateur risk assessments become more about what we can imagine than what has any chance of happening.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

While my collection might be considered more 'Glorified Stockbooks' than a professional philatelic presentation, below are my responses to some of the issues raised, that I, too, have faced, while 'rescuing the stamps' and attempting to turn an accumulation, into some form of preservation of a collection.




Yes.




I decided to go with 'handmade' albums, since the collection is a mish-mash of stamps, based on the three prior generations who added to the collection, for their own personal interest. A 'standard' pre-printed album would not be a good investment. I would essentially be buying more pages that I would not use, than those I would.

Based on the advice given in this community, I felt my money would be better spent, to use acid free pages, using Showgard mounts, in what is essentially scrapbook albums, that do have protectors, not just for the pages, but the album covers, as well. Periodically, throughout the year, they go on sale for 50% (or even 70%) off, so I go buy one, or two, when they do. While some may think this is still is a bit expensive, (the cheapest I have acquired the albums is $20) I see no other option at my disposal. Either I spend my money on pages I'm not going to use, or on pages I am going to.

I like having the freedom to choose how thick the album will be, and I can arrange the stamps, so they are not laying one on top of another, when stored. I can also have control on how many pages are in it, so the pages lay flat, when the album is open, while being looked at, because the spines are expandable.

I chose the Reflections collection style, which has 12 x 12 acid free, lignin free paper, and protectors. The size of the pages also gives me the flexibility to mount covers, and any contents, without having to worry it might not fit on an 8x11 page. They can be mounted together, on one page, and any info added. This cuts down on the number of pages used (thereby cutting down on the size of the album, without compromising content, or storage space).




My number one reason for using page protectors, is to catch any stamps, that might fall loose, off the page, over time, for whatever reason. That pretty much negates any cons, using protectors might have. I cannot help, but wonder, if any stamps might have been lost, over the generations, because one fell out, unnoticed, during either viewing them, from the album they once were in, or in transport, from one place to another, til they came into my possession.

When I first began viewing the stamps mounted in some of the albums, which were at least four decades old, I did have some that fell out, into my lap, and on to the floor, when I opened it up. One album, I didn't even have to open it, I just picked up the album, and one fell out, much to my alarm and distress. I immediately knew then, I was going to use protectors.

I'd rather face the risk of humidity, (which I think my solutions to mounting and storage have addressed and lowered that risk), than lose a stamp.




Like apastuszak, I, too, do not print both sides, I put the pages back to back, in a protector sheet. It gives the 'page' a thicker stiffness that holds it better, and you see pages on both the left and right sides, when viewing. I'll also add, I do not print on the page the stamps are mounted to. The information is printed and then mounted, itself, next to the stamp, alternating inside edge, to outer edge, to cut down on weight against the stamps when the album is closed, and the thickness. If a stamp mount comes loose from it's page, the stamp shouldn't come in contact with any ink, unless the printed note also falls off.

My spouse, who is an IT geek, sees this as 'an opportunity' (re: excuse) to get a 'new gadget' and find a laser printer that is large enough to print on 12 x 12 paper. That way, if a stamp mount falls off the page, it really shouldn't fall into, or touch, ink.

I can also insert, between the pages, any notes, regarding the stamps, I have not printed on the page itself. This has been a boon, to me, as a beginner, since I cannot retain all the knowledge I am receiving, so quickly. I also can store any family, or stamp, history notes, so when I go back, if I wish to modify the page, they are there, with the stamps, and not in another binder somewhere else. It helps to cut down on number of binders I actually have going.

It was also mentioned, these thicker pages, are easier to turn, and they protect the stamps in the mounts, because they hold the mount flat. When you turn a page, air does not get underneath the mount and 'billow it out', potentially causing a mount to not lay flat, when the page is laid down again. It's not like someone would turn the page at speeds of that of a NASCAR driver racing for the checkered flag, but I think those who have observed small children turning pages, know what I mean. The protector sheet also has the advantage of pages that are opposite one another, the mounts from one page, do not get caught on mounts on the page opposite it.

Addressing the shelf space issue, since I am using larger pages, I can mount more stamps on a page, thus cutting down on the number of pages. I just need a shelf that's deeper, as opposed to one that's wider. Hence, I am storing the collection in a cabinet that once housed my family photos, instead of on a standard bookshelf. This cabinet also has the added benefit of having a glass door, that cuts down on the particles, and possibly the humidity factor issue raised, from the air getting to the stamps.

I am also using this cabinet, since it is furthest away from the fire stove, in an upstairs room, the opposite side of the house from the fireplace, and as far away from any ceiling air vents, windows, and plumbing fixtures. Stamps that have not been ID'd and mounted, are in wooden boxes that look like books, that also were on sale, when I bought the albums, my first trip to get them.


I gave this a lot of thought, of how to store the stamps, while rescuing them from the baggies, envelopes, old photo albums, shoe boxes, etc. I may not have expensive stamps. I know I have more money in the storage of them, than what they are worth. If, however, one or two of them are worth something, and I haven't discovered it yet, I think I have taken the necessary precautions, thanks to the advice given in this community, and based on my own observations, in preserving it (them), until it is discovered.

cet gg,

Thanks so much for the thoughtful response. Catching stamps that might fall out was a benefit of using page protectors that I hadn't even thought about, but great idea!

I use an inkjet printer, but I don't believe the ink issue that that big of an issue since the ink itself is listed as acid-free, archival, no smear, etc. plus any stamp above a CV of $10 or so gets placed in a mount anyway. (not worth buying a large format laser printer anyway)

And, for those of you who just don't like to look of a 8.5 x 11 inch album page, I edit my Steiner pages to remove the border in order to use more of the page and place in page protectors. This gives the look of a larger size page - or maybe it's just an illusion