New To Plate Block Collecting

I inherited several MNH plate blocks (3c) and I know they're not worth a lot, I would like to display them in an album. I am inventorying the material to inform what album and year range to purchase. I come across a few stamp configurations I would love to here your opinions on...

1. Plate block of four with five-digit number in margin - I have the most of these and I consider this the prime example of what should be collected and displayed in a plate block album.



2. Plate block of four without five-digit number in margin - are these considered "plate blocks"? Would it be a bad idea to mount these in an album? Are these "worth" a fraction of the $1.00 the ones with the number catalogue at?



3. Plate block of four with out selvage - Again, mount these in a plate block album or split them up if I need a MNH single in my Scott Pony Express Album? "Worth" what fraction of the Scott catalogue value?



4. Group of 6 or 8 - I read that the more stamps in a group, the more "valuable". If I needed a numbered plate block of 4, should I split this up to achieve that?



Thank you all. I'm new to the forum and would also accept feedback on the quality of my post and image uploading.

~Mike from Colorado

Mike

Hello. They're only "plate blocks" if they have the number in the margin. Otherwise, they're just "blocks"! Whether you mount the latter or break them up to produce a single to mount and three stamps for postage is simply a matter of taste.

Geoff

I would note that most stamps are collected in blocks of 4 but there are some collected in blocks of 6 or more depending on what else is on the selvage such as multiple part numbers.

Welcome to collecting.

Welcome.
If you would like to lookup Plate Numbers here is a link; this database contains every US plate number 1847-2015 including most Back of Book stamps.
http://www.stampsmarter.com/feature...teBlock.html
Don

Welcome Mike,

There are several Plate Block Albums on the market. Such as the HE Harris Album series: https://www.mysticstamp.com/Product...s/DS100/USA/

But frankly, these albums cost about as much as the face value of the stamps you would mount.

I recommend you create your own plate block album either using PowerPoint or some free ware on-line album pages. It would be as much fun or more than buying a Plate Block album on ebay or from a dealer.

That way you are in control of each page and each plate block. Get a big 3-ring binder, some high quality paper and create your own album... one page per plate block with some detail text about the stamp, stamp history, designer, etc.

Mount the stamps in Showgard or other protective mounts - do not HINGE, tape, staple, or glue your stamps to the page.

Make sure you have a fun and a good time do it.

Glad you joined us.



Nice post, clear statements and question, nice touch numbering your photos. The photos themselves are pretty good, but when it comes to stamps, you need a scanner.
1. These are plate blocks
2. Selvage block
3. Blocks of four
4. Right Margin Plate block of Eight.




They aren't scarce (76,455,400) issued, so if you need a pl# block of 4, they're easy to find. You can not put this one back together should you separate it even though it is folded. jmo

I also like collecting plate blocks but I just arrange them in a stock book. The Vario black two sided pages with 3 or 4 pockets per page is another great way to display them and the stamps are easily accessible. Although, I wouldn't want to handle them much because the more handling they get, the greater chance of weakening or breaking some of the perfs.

I'm mildly amused at the post advising, at the same time, "don't buy a pre-printed album, it'll cost more than your plate blocks are worth", and "don't HINGE (in scary all caps!) your stamps". Proper black mounts will also cost more than your plate blocks are worth.

Three cent plate blocks will never be worth more than half-face, hinged or not. I get not wanting to damage or downgrade the condition of stamps in your care, but surely the logical thing is to either HINGE (scary all caps) in an album, or (better) use stock books or cards.

One can get carried away with worrying about the cost of enjoyment. There are many activities that there is no tangible benefit after you pay for it except memories. A stamp in a mount is tangible. I saw where Buckingham and McVie concert tickets here started at $69 to $200+. That can be considered waste. There is no need for a guilt trip induced by others.

Indeed. The great majority of modern stamps are worth less than pretty much anything you choose to store them in or on. Some are worh less than the hinges. Bearing that in mind, do whatever you're comfortable with.

$200 for Fleetwood Mac? Quite cheap to see the walking dead, I suppose ...

I actually agree with this entirely. Accordingly, you might even want to spend money on a really nice album to display your plate blocks.

I've been able to find albums on ebay at a reasonable price

There are these pages:

http://www.stampparaphernalia.com/u...um_pages.htm

Probably overdone for the taste of many but I use and like them. Yeah I spend more on the pages and mounts than the stamps are worth in many cases. So what? I find them pleasing and that's what matters.