Plastic, Plastic, Plastic Everywhere -- Some Thoughts About Modern Mounts And Pages.

I can't find a thread where this would fit well, so I thought I'd just post it separately -- informationally, let's say, and not to start a big debate. This comment is from John Apfelbaum's (the Philadelphia stamp dealer) website. I thought it was interesting about how modern stamp albums tend toward overkill at times, and especially in our use of mounts, stock pages, Vario storage pages, and so on, made of plastic. I've always assumed this modern approach made the stamps safer, and that we were caring for stamps better this way. But maybe old-fashioned stamp hinges on paper pages is better in some ways?

Here's what John Apfelbaum wrote:

"All of the above is an irritation compared to the main problem that occurs with stamp mounts. Originally created to better protect your stamps, they are now the leading cause of stamp damage in the hobby. Collectors damage more stamps taking their stamps in and out of mounts that any other way. Comers are creased at an alarming rate, and over moistening of mounts leads to many thins. An increasing issue is over-protection— stamps within mounts which are then on stock cards which are placed in acetate pages. One collector we saw recently had five such layers of protection for each of his stamps. We wanted to remind him that this is stamp collecting, not family planning. Like any fetish, the mounting fetish takes away from real enjoyment of the hobby."

Here's a link to the page this came from FYI: https://www.apfelbauminc.com/blog/m...lems-stamps/

I might agree with you if "old-fashioned stamp hinges" were still widely available. As we know, they now cost $20-25 for a 25-cent package of good Dennison hinges. In my experience, most all other hinges cause some degree of damage to the back of the stamp.

In terms of mounts, I agree that it is easy to damage a stamp using the split-back mounts, but much less likely using Hawid-type (open on 3 sides) mounts, which is what I use.

Yes some mounts can damage stamps if not used properly. Of course, some mounts like Crystal Mounts had fundamental issues.

This is why some prefer mounts like Hawid and do not like split back mounts like Showgard/Prinz. It is all about risk. Hinging seems to be the worst since you are adding something that does not really belong. You are physically attaching a piece of water using a water activated adhesive.

I've found that mounts open on three sides allow the stamps to fall out more than I'd like. If you wedge the stamp into the bottom of the mount it's supposed to be held there tightly. Usually that works. But too often, I've found stamps falling out loose on the album pages -- or on the floor. And I hate jamming a stamp into the bottom of the mount to get it to hold tightly. I worry about damaging the perfs. Usually "one-sided" mounts work fine, and album manufacturers use them, so they must think they work well.

In my experience, split-back mounts seem to hold the stamp a little better because they hold at top and bottom. Or they're supposed to.

One problem with split-back mounts is that too often people don't have the right size, so they use a mount that's a little too big which ends up not really holding the stamp well. With the "open on three sides" mounts (we need a better name), you can trim the top of the mount to fit the stamp. You can't do that with split-backs, hence the "too loose" problem too often. When a split-back mount is the right size, it generally holds the stamp pretty well. Putting stamps into a split-back often bends the stamp and that can do damage especially with more delicate older stamps.

Stamps can fall off hinges, too. But I haven't found that much of a problem. With hinges it's best to use the least amount of liquid as possible to attach the hinge. No slobbering all over the hinge. Just a very small amount of moisture seems to improve the chance of removing the hinge well later. Don't wet the entire surface. Just a small amount goes a long way. This won't solve the problems of modern hinges sometimes not coming off stamps or album page cleanly, but can mitigate it a little.

I've tested nearly all the currently available hinges -- plus Dennison and other oldies like Fold-O-Hinge, lining up ten or a dozen of each, letting them dry overnight, and then removing them. The results confirm what everyone says. Dennison (and Fold-O) are best. But some modern hinges aren't quite as awful as people say -- if you are careful. Always remove the hinge from the album page first. If it damages the album page, removing it from the stamp will most likely damage the stamp, too. In that case, you're better off leaving the rest of the hinge on the stamp and trimming off what you can. Not ideal, but you don't have to damage a stamp. Hinges are certainly no good for collectors obsessed with the back of their stamps, a fixation I've never understood. I couldn't care less about the back of my stamps, as long as there are no thins or other damage.

I do wish someone could come up with a good modern hinge. The problem can't be that impossible to solve. Older hinges may have used animal-based glues which today are a no-no. Apparently those glues could hold without being permanent. Whoever makes "Post-It Notes" ought to produce stamp hinges. They've got glue that's easily removable.

Post-it notes are not archival. The adhesive will degrade the paper over time.

As a general rule, I treat every stamp as though it's the most valuable in my entire collection. Every mount is carefully placed, wiped down (inside the mount) for any residual oil that may have been on my fingers, and all moistening removed. I also make sure to record every aspect of the stamp (gum, condition, etc.) before placing it in the mount so I don't have to remove it later to verify what's on the back. Finally, I gently lift each mount on a rotating quarterly basis to ensure that there are no adhesions to the mount.

Having a great collection takes more than just throwing stamps on a page, we need to focus on caring for our collections for the long run.

That's my 2¢.

Lighthouse Vario stock pages for me. Get pages where the plastic pocket is taller than the stamps, and you are set. Don't overlap stamps and I find they will not shift in the pockets. Store pages in binder and slipcase and dust is no problem. And best of all, you get to organize your collections as you see fit, and don't have the constant recurring cost of mounts.

Top loading stamp mounts would be the terminology.

All modern day stamp hinges in the world are manufactured by one company "Prinz" in Germany. They then may be repackaged for various companies for sale. Prinz has assured me many times that all of the hinges should be and are expected to be the same.

Dennis's hinges no longer manufactured was an unsuccessful attempt at reproducing Dennison hinges on the original machine by Subway stamp supply company.

Please contact Prinz at info@prinz.de for confirmation on my above statements. Let me know if email is still good as everything Prinz Publications seems to be going to the UK specifically Vera Trinder.


Anyone needing more confirmation about Prinz and hinges should contact iHobb stamps supply.

https://www.ihobb.com/c/STAMP_COLLECTING.html

I like the "stamp collecting is not family planning" comment from the original article!