Stockbooks Or Other Albums For Storage? Advice For A Beginner

Hello all,

Being a beginner in Philately I'd love some opinions and maybe an explanation or two.

From my understanding, and please correct me if I am wrong, the ways to store stamps are by stockbooks, placing hinges on the backs of stamps, and applying the stamps to mounts and then into some type of display.

I've read many reviews and articles on stockbooks and how they're great for sorting or for selling stamps but not for long term storage. Why is that? Wouldn't it be a good, safe option that doesn't require altering the stamp (adding a hinge)?

Are there specific albums/books for stamp mounts? I'd love some opinions on which is (arguably) the better choice for long term storage.

Thanks!

Hi,
You can search this forum and online for 'Vario pages' for an alternative approach for storing/displaying stamps.
Don

Thanks very much Don, didn't even know of Vario pages.

Stock books have little pockets to put stamps in. They are used to store stamps until you have identified them and are ready to put them in an album. Stamp books for mounting your collection come in two main types. Albums with plain pages where you make the captions and plan the layout yourself or preprinted albums. the problem with a pre printed album is the places for stamps never include exactly what you might get. EG British, Windsor albums have a space for a stamp of which less than twenty exist in the world, and many stamps costing over £500 or about $750.00. I use stock books but if it gets shook up bit stamps tend to fall out and either get damaged or need reidentifying. if you drop the book stamps fall out like snow. so I would recommend stock books are kept in their own snug fitting sleeve (called a slip case) also don't let the stock book get too full with stamps overlapping. I would always move on to putting stamps in an album. what type of album you use depends on personal preference and how much money you want to spend.
Hinges are not as good as stamp mounts, mounts hold the stamp but don't involve sticking anything to the stamp. I find the mounts that are only sealed on one edge can easily allow stamps to fall out. I personally prefer Showgard mounts which have a seam top and bottom. If your collection is of inexpensive stamps hinges are still a good option they are cheap, secure, and generally hold the stamp better than a mount. they also mean you are looking at the stamp without clear plastic in the way. I still use hinges for the most common stamps even though it does mar the back a little. get to a stamp show or club or a bricks and mortar stamp shop if there is one close ask people what they prefer and why. See if you can look at a some peoples collections before you decide. Firstly buy yourselves one or two stock books with about 16 pages each (less to spill if you drop a smaller stock book) buy or make some slip cases for them then ask around for advice.

Yes, if you're starting to collect, stock-books will let you arrange the material and decide what you're interested in. Stock-sheets are available from many manufacturers. "Vario" isn't a generic name - it's simply one size of sheet manufactured by Lighthouse. Just my view, but, when it comes to displaying stamps, rather than storing them, hinging or mounting them on leaves looks much more attractive. And the leaves you prepare yourself will be more interesting and individual than most of the dull, printed stuff available.

Hi wheatcent.

I'm currently working on converting my accumulation of worldwide stamps into a collection. My first step is sorting the loose stamps into envelopes. Once I am ready to work on a single country I am going to use stockbook as an intermediate step between envelope and album.

There are some who use stockbook instead of albums for their collections. While I don't think that is for me, I can see how it would provide a degree of freedom that you don't get with a pre-printed album.

Ultimately your best solution will depend on what you collect and what works best for you in terms of storage.

Enjoy the ride!

Dale

I've been a stockbook guy most of my collector life (30+ years). Currently my worldwide collection is housed in 200+ stockbooks, so I think I know a thing or two about them.

Just like any other storage solution, stockbooks have their ups and downs. If I were you, I would list what are the three most important aspects you are looking from storage system, and then rate each storage method by those characters. If you value cheap cost, ease-of-use, speed, or flexibility then stockbooks should keep you happy rest of your life.

-k-