Stamp Hinges?? Are There Any Decent Ones Made Anymore??

Here is the package recently sold.

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I use Dennison on my older used stamps, but prefer the tougher 'non-peelable' modern hinges for mounting the modern adhesive backed stamps with paper backing still attached. The backing makes the stamps heavier and thus more likely to work loose with older style hinges.

Even modern "bad" hinges will work reasonably well if you don't over-wet them. A very small amount of moisture applied to only part of the third of the hinge you're going to apply to the stamp should be enough to hold well. The same for the part of the hinge that attaches to the album page. They'll work.

They can "sort of" peel off the page if you need to remove them. But you are very likely to do at least a little damage to the page -- more if you over-wet the hinge. The main question is will the hinge also peel off the back of the stamps? "Sort of". Be sure you wait until the hinge is completely dry before trying.

Either someone needs to reinvent the older hinges that worked well -- or someone needs to invent a method for removing the new hinges cleanly and easily. I'm not holding my breath, though.

Drew, I noticed that a lot of the newer stamp hinge packages do not say peelable anymore like the older ones. Shame really, that such a small and innoncent looking but dangerous item can do so much damage. Dangerous to stamps that is!

The only true method invented or found to safely remove the new hinge is to wet it until it basacily falls off. This is going to be a pain for a lot of people having to then put the stamp in the drying book for several hours so it does not curl afterwards. Or worst, leave the hinge remnant behind.

Mike

DrewM wrote: "even modern "bad" hinges will work reasonably well if you don't over-wet them." So true, and not just now. I've purchased collections in the past; when I was expanding instead of down-sizing; that must have been owned by "slobber kings." Even quality Dennison hinges won't easily peel off if there was too much moisture. I've had to soak old Dennisons off stamps, and lose the gum, as the hinges were beginning to warp the stamps.

Regarding pricing of Dennison and Fold-O hinges, I'm now up to 8 packs purchased, from my source. Just added three more for $45, including postage to send them to me. I've paid $14-15 per pack; their asking price, without any negotiation. ebay isn't the only place to buy. I've gotten all of my packs from a source I met at a smaller stamp show.

When I see a collection done with modern hinges I either avoid it or bid very low since I know it will suck time to soak them all. I never assume that the previous owner had a light touch, I assume that I will be soaking stamps for days.
Don

I find Prinz stamp hinges all the time at Hobby Lobby (use the weekly 40% coupon to save money). Sometimes I will see the Dennison stamps at shows and buy them. I believe the latter has a kid on the cover with the slogan: "Just like Grandpa used!"

(the old original peelable hinge)
(Modern day Dennisen from Canada)

Dennis stamp hinges with Dennis pictured on the package is another brand. This was a failed attempt by Subway Stamp Supplies to copy the old original Dennison hinges.

After touting Prinz of Germany as the sole manufacturer of all modern day hinges I now can report that a new version of Dennisen hinges are being manufactured in Canada. They have the look of the old original Dennison hinges package. (see the picture above)

Interesting side note for the hinge pkgs above, one is Dennison, with an 'o' and the other Dennisen, with an 'e'.

Yes the discussion can get confusing but as GJ points out correctly it is the "o" and the "e" that is an important differentiation.

As I have gathered stamps from older albums I have noticed time and again how easy it is to get the greenish ones off. Either narrow or wide they cause no problem. What was the brand name of these greeny colored stamp hinges please?

And then you have the old paper hinges applied with flour paste. They are my arch nemesis.

Louise411, there were several pale green types. You do indeed mean Dennisons, which came in different sizes over the years. But there were also Fold-Os that were similar looking for a time and (I thought) not as good, and much darker bluish green ones (I think Fold-Os also from a later time) that were not as peelable as Dennisons. Dennison hinges were available all over the place since they also dominated the mailing/office supplies business in the variety stores.

Unfolded square corner Dennisons, getting old.