Minkus Global Supreme Album Pages

I have seen several forums and threads referencing the Minkus Global Supreme stamp album pages available from Amos Advantage. I have visited the Amos website but cant seem to find the Minkus Supreme pages anywhere. Are they still available? Does anyone have an URL where I can read about the pages...number, size, cost, years covered, etc?? Would appreciate any help. Thanks.

This should get you what you need.

https://www.amosadvantage.com/Searc...nkus+supreme

Here's the link to the Minkus Global Supreme part 1A:

https://www.amosadvantage.com/produ...ND-1840-1952

Part 1A and 1B will set you back $424 plus shipping. Despite what is says, part 1 covers to 1954. Some countries in part one go as late as 1967, but that's rare.

I have a copy of the MGS pages reprints from Amos, and I can say that I have a love/hate relationship with the MGS. In terms of content, they have vastly superior coverage over the Scott Internationals including spaces for the U.S. Graf Zeppelin issues and other world wide rarities and far more complete sets with attention to watermarks and perforation differences among stamps. On the down side, the pages are excessively crowded and will barely accommodate mounted stamps with judicious planning - it's just not a good look. Would I recommend them? Depends on what you want from a world wide album.

By way of visual aid, here's what I mean:



Oh no! I can't fit in that last row without the mounts overlapping. Ugh.

Every collector has to make up their mind about whether to hinge or use mounts. I do not use mounts on my MSG pages because I wish to avoid them looking like this. If someone is OK with it that's fine but I agree these pages are too crowded as it is, Adding black mounts just makes it more crowded. Just me.

What bugs me is the paper. Good weight but the white paper just isn't cutting it for me. I miss the ivory Scott pages. I have part 1A, countries A-I. I bought this set last year and am still deciding whether to continue with it or try something else. with the MSG I can build up a set of global pages up to 1970 without breaking the bank or my bookshelf.

I'm the converse of Stamps1962. I don't mind the white paper (though I prefer the ivory paper), but I wish the MGS had heavier weight paper. Even Lucy gets sad looking at the MGS Album.

It is true that the Supreme likes to put more stamps on a page than Big Blue, especially for 1840-1952.



Later years, not so much.

What some consider a fault, others might consider an advantage.

I would rather have a space for a stamp than no space at all.

Reference my blog post on the topic..

Is the Minkus Supreme the "Goldilocks" Album for WW Classical Collectors?

http://bigblue1840-1940.blogspot.co...bum-for.html

Again, as often said before, the putting stamps on both sides of the pages is a no-no to a serious collector,

Peter

I'll politely disagree with Petert4522 and I am a serious collector. I use both sides of a page as long as it's a heavier quality stock. Glassine interleaving is a must.

I've posted elsewhere that I use Scott Big Blue Intl. blank quadrille pages for 1840-1940 when I don't have access to Scott specialty pages or others. The G & K blank quadrille pages, from Subway Stamps, are slightly heavier and hold up better than pages from Amos, at least when I got my supply several years ago. I do try to be somewhat inventive as I mount on blank pages. Long rows of stamps on a page get a bit boring. Better to mix in long and short rows.

Climber Steve, you are not disagreeing with me. I agree totally with you - the album that a picture is shown of is without all of the safeguards. I do not believe the album in question comes with thicker pages and interleaving?

Peter

In the case of the albums shown, the mounts provide the "safeguards". Back to back is a problem for hinged stamps without interleaving.

The Minkus pages, as sold by Amosadvantage, are on 80 lb text paper.

Paper is white tint, thick, and has the feel of lighter card stock. Even if stamps are in mounts on both page sides, the paper should be adequate.

Because of stamps on both sides of the page, protection should be provided by mounts and/or interleaving (glassine or clear).

I agree with everything said about the MSG regarding the white paper and overcrowded pages. I also don't like the mixing together of all the 'back of the book' stamps in with the regular issues (I know I'm likely in the minority here!)...it makes it a bit more challenging finding things if you are using a Scott catalogue.

In the end, I think using Scott International album, supplemented with blank/quadrille pages is about the best option for a general, compact, worldwide collection.

Quote: "In the case of the albums shown, the mounts provide the "safeguards". Back to back is a problem for hinged stamps without interleaving."

True, but as it turns out, having the mounts facing each other results in the mounts getting scratched up. I would still recommend interleaving of some kind to keep the mounts looking nice.

Thank you for all your responses. Very helpful!