Mounting Covers Question

I am starting to suppliment my stamp collection with covers. I keep my collection on custom-made album pages. I'd like to mount covers to pages in my albums. So far, I have used regular split-back stamp mounts - big ones. What is the preferred way to mount covers? I've seen little corner mounts like people used to use in photo albums, but I can't imagine those work well to protect the cover from light or other damage. Am I doing it right with the mounts?

I use self-adhesive corner mounts both for exhibit pages and album pages and have never had a problem with them. Subway Stamps sells larger-sized ones that are archival quality made for heavier items such as covers. These don't tend to cause album page wrinkling as can happen due to the moisture used when applying split-back mounts. Neither option really protects from light damage. That said, if split-backs are working for you, go with them, the 'preferred way' being whatever works best for you.

I have used large "lick and stick" corner mounts in the past. So far they have worked well for me. These were mounted at least 35 years ago. I would imagine current self stick corners will work at least as well. I have not used the ones from Subway that docgfd suggests, but would think that would be the way to go.

Nice pages gslaten

I use Lighthouse's self-adhesive corner mounts - the larger size is the right one for covers. Take care, as they are VERY adhesive - if you accidentally drop one onto a page, or, worse still, a cover, it won't be coming off in a hurry.

Using mounts seems a very expensive way of mounting covers, unless the cover is very valuable.

Like Philazilla, I'm also adding some postal history (covers) to my collections. I haven't had good luck with corners in the past, so am using split back mounts. Most of the covers I'm adding are old, like 19th century Angra and Horta; early 20th century from Pago Pago (American Samoa), etc. So, it seems worthwhile to spend the money for the split backs.

One caveat, at least for me, is to make sure the Scott Big Blue International blank quadrille pages are strong enough to hold large split backs, for covers, souvenir sheets, etc. The blank pages I've gotten from Scott are rather flimsy. Subway's G & K brand pages are thicker.

I use photo clear corners; two or four depending upon the condition/size of the cover. I also use sleeves to hold the pages. They seem to work OK for me. I use a 67-lb. card stock paper.

Thanks everyone! I think I'll keep using the split-back mounts, but it is good to know there are options. I really want to protect them from light and accidental damage. The cost of the mounts seems like a small price to pay for that. I may post some scans later today or tomorrow.

Another option is Vario 2s sheets in a Binder. They have clear and black varieties. There is also a cheaper brand Anchor selling on ebay, similar to Vario.

I have a preference for these G&K corner mounts. They are water activated (Touch of saliva) and with care moistening can be removed and reused my moistening an unused portion. I've even used a glue stick on the adhesive side (in a pinch) when all the adhesive has been used. Prudent shopping online will pay off.

No way would I put a self-adhesive mount anywhere near a cover of mine.

The G&K (Subway) corners are now peel and stick.
I've used them on all of my exhibits/pages and have never had a problem with them.
Chip

Bolaffi (an Italian dealer/auction house) makes an excellent mount that can be used for covers. They are called Kanguro mounts(Italian for kangaroo) and are sealed at bottom and left and are open top and right, so they can be cut to size. The mounts are available with clear or black backgrounds and in a variety of sizes from single stamp up to cover / minisheet sizes of 260x230mm (about 9"x10")
The downsides are that they are expensive (over a euro each for the largest sizes) and they are not sold in the US, so you need to order from Italy or stock-up when traveling in Italy.
information on sizes and prices is here https://www.collectorclub.it/catalo...7-fondo-nero

The only problem I've noticed with corner mounts is not the mounts but the area of the cover which is left uncovered. That exposed area tends to oxidize/sulfurize faster than the area protected by the corner mounts. I've noted this is several collections I've purchased.

One other note is that if you use corner mounts, DO NOT use those little foil fronted corner mounts commonly seen in photo albums. These will leave a nice little outline of the mount in each corner, as these are evidently and obviously not archival material. The types of mounts shown above will not cause that problem.

When I get around to creating my album pages, I'll be using the split back mounts to put my covers on the page to keep the inevitable aging consistent across the entire cover.