I've Finally Joined The Album Owning Community

I've finally joined the album owning community. I always kept my US stamps in an album I made of my own consisting of blank pages, and divided up by topic of the stamp. But my collection has gotten huge, and there is no rhyme nor reason to the way they are placed in the album--and there are some sets that are incomplete, and I never left room to complete them, etc. And I have no way of knowing what I missing.

So, after much thought, I decided to get an album. I never wanted an album because those blank spaces would drive me crazy--but I have so many stamps now there wouldn't be many blank spaces. And I pretty much have everything from the mid-90's to now. But anyway, I would like to complete years that I have not complete, and figured an album would be a way to see what I still needed.

I went with the Mystic Heirloom for two reasons--I really wanted descriptions and write-ups about the stamps, and the other reason is that I am cheap--I didn't want to spend alot on an album. I think my favorite looks for an album is the White Ace, but I didn't like their cost, nor actually the way they were set up.

Just got the albums from Mystic, and I like the pages very much. I do not like the binders, primarily because I don't like thick binders. I'll give them a try, but I may move the pages to binders that are only an inch think before I am done--might make more binders, but I would probably like them better.

Now, we'll just have to see how many years it takes me to get them all moved to it. I think it is going to be quite a job, as I really don't know the years that most of the stamps I have are issued from--and I have them from all the way back!

Congrats. The Mystic is high on value but the 3 binders they provide will not be enough when you start adding stamps. You will lead a lot more.

Congrats Esther! Personally, all my collections are in self made albums because I can add what I want to. But to each his ( or Her ) own!
As far as your little problem with not knowing where to put the stamps - Mystic has a nice booklet that lists all stamps. Or borrow a Scott catalog from a library, or better yet buy a cheap used catalog on E-bay. Since about 1995 all US stamps have a date, so you do not need a newer catalog than about that year. And I wish you much stamping pleasure.


Peter

I actually have a Scott Catalog, but it is only to 1983. I didn't realize--I guess I hadn't paid that much attention--that stamps after 95 have a date--that will make it easier!

I, too, have the Mystic Heirloom Albums. As was stated by angore, once you start adding stamps, you'll need more binders. I'm now up to 5 binders.....and I think #6 will be coming soon The Heirloom pages are great regarding descriptions for each stamp. The downside with their pages is that they like to separate the se-tenants from the mid 1990's - present. I've had to modify many pages to keep the se-tenants together. If not, you end up "collecting to the album". If you choose to modify some of their pages, plan on buying some of their blank pages when you order more binders.

apastuszak has a thread on this board, and also his own website where he has Mystic pages that he has modified to download and print:

https://goscf.com/t/25883

Esther,

You can get a catalog for free from Mystic. Also, a nice feature of the Mystic album is that they have "D" rings which allow for having the pages lie flat. A very nice feature indeed. I do think the Premium binders could be a little more robust but are still, satisfactory.

Jack Kelley

I have a preference for 1 1/2" binders, at the largest. I think the Mystic binder is 2", which is a tad too large for me.

You might also want to check out my website for modified Mystic pages. It's in my signature.

apastuszak, your signature appears to be missing.

I see the signature.

Just like cougar01's comments, I'm using mounts on all my stamps and I'm on my 6th Mystic album.

Anthony

Good for you, Esther. I agree with your comments about overly-large (thick) binders. You might look at the Vario F 3-ring binder made by Lighhouse as a really nice substiture. It is padded and very elegant looking, and it comes with a slipcase standard! It's about 1.5 to 2" thick. Depends on how you measure it. Price is not the cheapest (compared to going to Staples and getting something less satisfactory, anyway) but they'll last for years and make you feel good when you use them. Mystic sells replacement 3-ring binders for about $12 which I find really basic and not very impressive. So that price could be your starting point. I think a LH Vario F binder with slipcase might sell typically for about $30. They're commonly sold on ebay and elsewhere by some stamp dealers (maybe iHobb?) and of course by Lighthouse itself (see website).
I'll just state the obvious: It's a lot easier and cheaper in the long run to buy good quality first than to move gradually up to it later, as anyone who's moved stamps from one album to another will agree.

I've seen a lot of comments that the Mystic pages are pretty thin and tend to sag in their binders, especially when the weight of the stamps is added. I can't think of a fix for that, but fewer pages per binder might help as would keeping the pages more closely clamped together. If that's a problem.

But here's another solution that might work. If your pages do sag and you'd prefer that they were on heavier-weight paper, take them someplace with copying machines, typically a print shop or whatever Kinko's is called now. Use your pages as your 'originals' and simply print onto heavier weight paper. Paper of 60# is what I prefer. I use "cream" rather than white (from Staples) because I think that's more elegant looking. Then 3-hole punch the new pages and you have brand new, sturdier album pages for very low cost. A ream of "card stock" heavier weight paper is typically about $10. You can do this most easily if your album pages are the 8.5 x 11 standard size of computer/printer paper. You could also print onto larger pages if you wanted to using a widebed printer but might need to play around to get the image centered just right. No need to do this if you're happy with the pages, though. Enjoy!

As Mystic album owner, I did expand the album to 11 (at the moment) binders to reduce pages per binder. This means less turning when working with the album and also I am careful how I flip pages. I do not flip entire page when search but thumb through them folding partially) to find desired section. This saves some wear and tear on holes as well. I have added hole reinforcers on some pages (usually first and last seem to get the most action). If you have labeling on binders you also will find what you want quicker too.

It was part of the trade off. I do not like protective sleeves and do not want a propriety size, Steiner pages are too crowded compared to Mystic and Mystic has descriptions. It was a clever idea to use back side. Since around 2000, they have catalog numbers and page numbers that is a plus. I had purchased mine in 1997 or so and redo/add pages for varieties not listed similar to Andy's Mystic hacks. Creating pages is part of the experience similar to exhibitors so I consider myself an exhibitor....

It is still the best album for 95% of US general collectors my opinion and you can always get better binders and 4 hole punch them. This will solve a lot of the concerns about pages.