Gluing Stamps To Bond Paper

Greetings!
Before I proceed any further, just thought I would request some opinions and comments from you out there

Long long ago and so far far away, I somehow have built up a couple of shoe boxes of loose stamps, The process by which I did it then, is to immerse all my stamps and their partially torn parts of envelopes in water, then the following day take out the loose stamps, dry them out and put all in a shoe box, thats how these shoe boxes of loose stamps came about.

Now active again, my long time interest in stamps rekindled and inspired by SCF friends, to sort out and arrange this mess of so much loose stamps.

I started gluing the loose stamps on clean bond paper, then insert it into plastic A4 sized fillers and file in binders. Just finished four pages, of about 25 stamps/page, this makes it easier to locate a particular stamp, as well as view it

My question- By today's standards on collecting stamps, is re-gluing back on paper acceptable? (Way way back, it was alright because we can always immerse it in water again, and the following day get the loose stamp back, it's water soluble glue)

Please feel free with your comments, Thank you!

You should collect and arrange your stamps in the way you enjoy them the most. I once knew someone who taped their stamps (and I don't mean videotaped)!

However, you should be aware that most common glue and plastic holders are not archival. Also, I would suggest using acid-free paper, if you are not already doing so. Normally, if collectors are affixing their stamps to a page/album, they either use mounts or hinges. Mounts are more expensive, but the stamp is not affect and is kept protected.

But given that you are spending money on plastic holders, you may want to just spend the money and buy a stamp stockbook or stockpages (such as Lighthouse Vario, for example).

You can consider the advice of fellow collectors. But whatever you do, always remember to do things so that YOU enjoy your stamps. The lady I knew that taped her stamps enjoyed her collection immensely. She wasn't worried about spending a lot of money, or the catalog values of the stamps -- enjoy your stamps, and no matter what you do, it will be right.

k

FOr me,I avoid using glue to my stamps as it would ruin it

Copy info, thanks! Before I buy any new binder, just another question....
aside from NOT gluing stamps on, what is the most common way of mounting in binders? (I'll be going out to buy one)

nic I use alot of these

Sounds to me like you need to discover stamp hinges.

To nic... Stock books and stock pages are definitely the way to go forwards. They are a) archive safe b)easy-to-use c) flexible d)relatively cost effective. You might also want to check out the the seven part article series about stamp storage I wrote some time ago in my blog at http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/...-summary.php

best,
-keijo-

Glenn I do I dont even know what they look like or how they work. Everything I know about stamps I've learned here and nobody has touched on that subjuct yet.Would you enlighten me?who explains things better than you and Dave N. to me?

HI Nic

I use binders and pages I print myself on line. I hinge my stamps since I collect only used. It's the most economical way for me to have the collection I would like to have.

Hope this makes sence. Here's a scan of what hinges look like and a couple of my finished pages.

If you like I could send you a Package of hinges to get you started I have to send away for them so I can only spare one pack right now. But next time I order I will keep you in mind

Dianne:

I hinge everything, too. I am a used collector.

The Canada pages are very nice. Good cancels on the 1935 high-values. For whatever reason, the 20-cent Niagara Falls issue is tough to get nicely cancelled.

David

Nice Diane. Very Nice. I'm not familiar with the Canadian hinges you're using. Where do you get them? Are you pleased with them? How 'peelable' are they?

Thanks David and cgrotha

I get these on line from Arpin Philately. They are peelable as long as they are fully dry. I am pleased with them.

Dianne

Wow! Thanks guys! I have been out of the loop for so long that I really have'nt discovered the current technology in commercial albums that are now available.

I learned a new word today "hinge" , which makes "glue" obsolete, and that is what I'll be going out to look for

Thanks again to all! just another question, does anyone use glass in mounting their really special stamps? You know, like picture frames? I'll be posting a pic of my framed stamp in glass, soon as my scanner arrives, done way way back as a teenager

Some people like to frame certain stamps in this manner. Make sure you put it in a spot in the room that won't get daily exposure to direct sunlight (or else use material that filters UV, either for the glass in the frame or on your window).

k

Use hinges for used stamps and showguard/scott clear or black backed mounts for unused stamps. For an album, look on ebay for a scott international set for sale that someone else is selling cheap.

If you buy a used album, I strongly recommend you buy from a reliable dealer or be able to check it. Some of these used albums have been in storage. It's pretty easy to introduce a mold/mildew outbreak if you aren't careful. And you may not see it right away.

Bottom line: NEVER NEVER buy a album/collection that shows any sign of water damage or improper storage. You are simply asking for long-term trouble. You won't notice it right away, but it shows up years later.

By the way, long-wavelength (365nm) UV light is excellent for spotting mold/mildew problems in stamps.