What Are The Best Stockbooks And Archival Quality Sheets?

Hello everyone, this is my first post in the community. A friend of my dad around 6 years ago gave us a lot of rare coins, stamps, and paper currency. Last year, I started collecting stamps by my own (some of them are a bit rare & hard to find), but I would need now a good quality stockbook to house them in permanently (I have them currently in a box with what they came in).

I am just starting in this hobby, so I am asking around to see what the more experienced/professionals say. I have searched in my own, and finish in a confusion. Some say Archival Quality, others say only Acid free, others Acid and Lignen free. I have some stamps that are expensive and hard to find, so I don't want to lose/ruin them at any cost.


Would it better with a black or white background? I am guessing this is more a personal question than archival difference.

I'm not convinced about getting made in the USA or China stockbooks. I had a few experiences with some USA made products (not stamp related) and it was not pretty the result, so I don't trust much.


I guess imported stockbooks would be better. Does anyone know about SAFE Germany or Stanley Gibbons? I can't really pay $100 for a stockbook, so I would like to hear your opinions of your current stock books and experiences.


P.D. By the way, does anyone know also of good archival quality sheet brand? I know there is PET, PE, PP, Polyester Mylar. Which one would you say is the best? Thanks again and sorry for the long question.


Maxime_1758


*** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***

I personally prefer Vario Stock Sheets...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/29049897881...RK:MEBIDX:IT

They are safe for you stamps and come in various sizes, depending upon your needs.

The above link, is from an ebay seller that has a very competitive price for these (but it's up to you who you wish to purchase these from.

I simply place these sheets in a standard D-Ring Binder and haven't had any issues in all the years that I have been collecting.

These will not break the bank so to speak.

they also come in clear sheets for items you may wish to display both sides of.

Regards,
Stampalotapus

Lighthouse stock-books are well-regarded by most collectors. Their stock-sheets - whether the Vario type described above or the larger Grande (and there are more in both smaller and larger formats) - are good, but the ring-binder format means pages are much less easy to turn than those of a stock-book, and the stamps are more difficult to insert or remove.

I buy Vario sheets as Stamalotapus does and get them from the same ebay seller as well.

I use Lighthouse stockbooks, which are top-notch. 64-page Lighthouse stockbooks are available for about $35 on Amazon, including shipping to the USA. Black vs. white pages would be a personal preference, but most collectors probably prefer black as the perforations are more easily visible on a black background.

Maxime
For what it is worth: I am currently storing my entire collection in 64 pgs Lighthouses, white pages. I have had no issues with them whatsoever, but have heard some have issues with black pages after some years.
Still - if I had started from scratch today - I would have followed stampalotapus's advice. Primarily because the vario's offer maximum flexibility. Whatever you choose: Enjoy

I use Vario pages and black Lighthouse mounts on acid-free paper. I've generally avoided stock books because I've always found it difficult to move stamps around without risking damage to perfs. I'm not too familiar with Hagner pages; but I assume they are as good.

i'm not sure of the name of the stock sheets i've used a three ring 12 line
or smaller is always good for duplicates (photo below) , if you check the scott or brookman catalogues usually you'll find dealers with supplies.

I prefer the lighthouse basic S stock books with the wax interleaves.

I have used black Lighthouse stock books for 25 years. Although Lighthouse has a solid reputation, in my personal experience, too many of their stock books show - several different - defects over the years. The quality is not constant. I would not necessarily recommend Lighthouse. As I have only used Lighthouse, I am afraid, I do not have any suggestions for alternatives. Just wanted to give this word of caution.

If you go with stockbooks, then go with the white pagers as black pages (or more precisely the glue used on those) DO HAVE severe durability issues.

As far as thickness goes, avoid 64 pagers as the binding will eventually fall apart (due to weight). And if/when you need to move stuff around, then having four 16 pagers is easier than having one giant book.

As for brands, I'd say Lindner makes IMHO the 'best quality' stockbooks. Leuchtturm/Lighthouse is the without a doubt the biggest name, but you can pretty safely assume that at least one out 10 Lighthouse stockbooks MAY/will have issues (unless you go with their Premium line). Davo, Safe etc are more or less on the same group as Lighthouse. In real world you'll oftentimes have to compromise between cost and quality (and buy Lighthouse/Leuchtturm books at discount prices).

This is based 150+ stockbooks (about 2/3 being lighthouse) I'm using to house my world collection.


-k-

As many other have said, you can't go wrong with German stockbooks. I use a mixture of Lighthouse and Lindner stockbooks for the most part. I also have a few made in the Netherlands and they are pretty good as well. I prefer white pages, but the black ones are ok. Glassine interleaves are my preferred interleaves as well.

I agree with keijo. In bulk lots I have purchased I have come across several black sided stockbooks with problems, not so with the white pages. Something about chemistry I suppose.

Concerning number of pages, I have used my 160 examples of 64 pgs Lighthouses for 15 years without problems, as long as they are handled with care. However, an issue with the 64 pgs is that they tend to be bulging when all pages get well filled up, and the spine obviously get more stressed. Probably less of an issue with thinner albums.

Don't know if it's mentioned, but if you go for stockbooks, select a brand using double interleaving. Single interleaving disturb the stamps much more frequently.

I have been using Vario style too. I have been repunching the holes so they turn better in a 3 ring binder. Even without anything in them, they are hefty (as said can stress binders) so you have less per binder.

Al

I agree with collectors above that Lighthouse has the best stock books and archival quality sheets.

Hello everybody,

Coming back on this topic as I'd really appreciate advise some of you may have for keeping your collection.

Due to the variety of my current collection - Japanese stamps of all sorts and sizes, souvenir sheets, envelops etc - I thought the option to have the great variety and mobility binders and plastic sheets offer could be a good way to keep my collection.
One unique binder containing all my Japanese collection was my initial thought.

I'm more of a classic 60 pgs stock book guy, but the option to have a varied collection in a different system was interesting and would visually enhance my Japanese collection.

After browsing several sources and talking with my local phila-dealer, I was advised Lighthouse/leuchtturm.

I opted for the Grande 4 ring binder.

My problem recently has been with the poor quality of the grande plastic stock sheets:

1- the natural oil from your fingers stains the plastic and makes pages look messy.
2- electricity due to the plastic used makes stamps hard to insert or move and sometimes results in damage.
3- inconsistency of quality.

Now the 3rd point is really the big issue here. I know black pages for some reason I have yet to discover tend to have a shorter life. But the last pack of plastic stock sheets I bought was completely defective. Each and every page had an issue with the glue of plastic band. Both recto and verso.
I emailed Lighthouse to notify them of this defect, I have yet to hear back from them.
Needless to say I'm not impressed with "German quality", 5 out of 5 is a big miss for quality control.

If I come to you today is to get some advice on possible alternatives.
I don't mind trying Lindner's more expansive stock page systems "Omnia". Perhaps some of you could share their experience with that system?
Bare in mind I am currently living in Europe so the options are somewhat limited to European manufacturers.

Thank you in advance.

May you all stay safe.