Big Blue 1840-1940 Scott Album Opinions

Hello everybody!
I'd like to focus in the next years in the Classic period 1840-1940.
I've been considering the possibilty of storing the stamps in stockbooks, or in the Steiner pages, but after visiting this forum, and others, I am already convinced that the Big Blue is for me the best option for many reasons, I will never can afford the expensier stamps, and I don't want to have too many blanks in my album. another reason is the Big Blue has become a Standard and therefore, there is a very active market of big blue collections.
The question to anyone who can help is,
Would you buy a new one or a second hand? The price for the first hand Big Blue is really discouraging, how much do you think is a reasonable price for a second hand empty big blue?
The prices in ebay differs very much, and I would live to know the opinion of somebody more experienced.
If this question breaks any rule of the forum, I regret in advance, and I will inmediatly remove this message.
Thanks

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

I would buy a used Big Blue with as many stamps already mounted as I could find and afford.

I agree with randy. Get a head start by acquiring an album and starter collection at the same time.

I agree that acquiring a good used Big Blue is the best way to kickstart a collection, but please consider buying a new album to transfer your stamps into. You can find plenty of threads here and elsewhere explaining the advantages of this. I know that we all (myself included) would rather spend money on stamps than albums, but you will have far more flexibility in minimizing the disadvantages of the Big Blue if you keep your collection in the latest version. If money is an object, I would suggest buying each of the four parts over the space of however many months you need. It will take time to transfer the stamps from your ebay purchase, so you can start enjoying your collection immediately even if you only start with Part One.

Used copies on ebay are old version on thin paper and the holes are more near the margin making them prone to tears.

I couldn't agree more. You will thank yourself in the end by buying a new set of Big Blues. Since they come in 4 parts, you can spread your purchase out over time.

Although I certainly agree that starting off with a new thick paper Big Blue would be ideal, if cost is really that discouraging, then by all means buy an older Big Blue and enjoy yourself! Many (most) of us did the same thing to start our WW collection.

I believe a completely logical and rational way to handle good material in the current the situation considering the current market and a cogent way to handle wild fluzulations in unstable times without loss os sanity along the way….remembering good material will always be good and junk -- well you may put lipstick and a dress on a pig,, however in the end… she's however is now a pig with lipstick, and a dress and still smells bad! So what did you accomplish. Answere -- use your head dRESSING THE PIG!
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Thank you for all your wise emails, regarding hal comment, my english is not as good to understand exactly what he means, you mean you should always buy a new album?

I believe that Steiner is a reasonable alternative to Big Blue, especially if "money is an object". The upfront cost of binders and the Steiner pages is a better fit for my stamp budget. I also like the process of adding individual pages to my collection as I catalog stamps, and that every page in my collection has at least one stamp on it. YMMV.

That said, all of the pros for Big Blue are valid, and if your druthers leans towards them, then it, rather than Steiner, would be the way to go.

druthers....a new word for my lexicon.

Agree as long as you don't get discouraged by all the blank spaces and blank pages, and if you don't mind the large number of binders and large amount of shelf space needed. I actually find that I look at my collection more when it is in 2-3 large albums as opposed to spread out among 20 or more binders. Of course, everyone is different, this is just something to think about if you are just starting out.

Do you directly make holes in the Steiner pages, or put it into plastic. And, if I printed all the Steiner 1840-1940 how many pages could be? (Only if somebody keeps this number in mind).

From the Big Blue 1840-1940 blog:
A WW collection housed on Steiner pages for 1840-1940 (-1952 British Commonwealth) will take up some 44 1 1/4" binders (or some 60+ Vario F Binders), about 6,500 pages.

Most of us just use a two or four-hole punch directly on the pages, I suspect. No need to print ALL of the Steiner pages - just focus on those that interest you.

You could try these before you pay for Steiner. All of the French area, and many more

http://www.album.france-timbres.net

And here - I think many if these are "borrowed" from Steiner.

http://tim.mond.free.fr/listepays/listepays.html

So a full set of printed Steiner pages, with plastic sleeves, for a WW collection 1840-1940 (6500 pages) would be north of $1000(US). Around .14 per page for paper, printing, sleeve, plus cost of binders.