Soft/Hard Binding Stamp Albums Dyi

I think that most people prefer loose-leaf type albums, but I wonder if anyone actually binds their own stamp albums?!

I actually prefer bound volumes.

If you have personally bound your own stamp albums, can you share any tips and tricks for a novice? I have a wood binding press, the appropriate binding tape and glue.

Anyone try soft-binding stamp albums? Hard-binding?

John

I investigated getting bound albums made long ago, but decided my worldwide collection wasn't worth the cost (it still isn't). Nor would it allow expansion for cancels, varieties, newer issues, etc. without a lot of prior planning.

If I had my druthers, I would have made the basic page frame offset with plenty of blank space toward the spine to allow pages to sit flat. To that end, I would have had used linen hinged pages (somewhat cheaper and more choices long ago) or at least had embossed lines impressed in the page margins close to the spine. This follows European album design, though I was thinking of a slightly wider overall page if everything was to be done custom. Also, each album shouldn't be too thick/too heavy to handle comfortably.

You will need spacer strips to compensate for the album filling up with stamps/hinges or stamps/mounts unless linen hinged pages are used. I would not have used thick tagboard/cardboard spacers lumped together, but a spacer between all pages if that was the case. You might also want to add interleaving, but that adds extra thickness to the album quickly.

I think the biggest drawback to bound albums is adding content (stamps, covers, forgeries, text) to the album. I do love the idea of binding your own albums though.

What is the appeal of binding? Appearance? Ease of use? It seems impractical for most situations.

One could have it both ways, make your own bindings, and install the three ring binder mechanics. You get a beautiful album, and you can move and add pages. You also won't have to add spacers.

I use Gibbons' reprinted fast-bound albums for British Empire to 1936 (Imperial album) and for foreign to 1936 (Ideal), neither of which is now produced. The Imperial is highly complete, the Ideal omits officials and postage dues (in which I'm not interested anyway). There are blank pages for additional material. I like them very much, but I can understand why some wouldn't. Creating these things yourself would be a stuff challenge. I picked up a book about book-binding once - scary!

I like the look and feel bound items as well. Easy to look through and more professional look. For my US Collection (#1 - 700). I made the decision to scan each of my pages. I then use staples to print them on heavy paper and "coil bind" them with a nice firm cover/back page. I use this printed version all the time to review and take to shows and it really does work well. Easy to flip through and no concern about security or too much handling of the actual pages. Each Xmas as my present, I redo it to keep it fresh and up to date as I add/replace items.

Obviously this would not work for huge volumes but for specialty or small volume collections (100 pages or less) it works well.

Hobsun

I recently moved all of my album pages to 3-ring binders. My general worldwide collection (to mid-1969) had been on Scott International pages in six International binders. I also had a few country albums (Scott Czechoslovakia; Minkus Germany, British Europe, and British America). I had acquired 3 additional Scott International binders and was going to reorganize the worldwide pages into more binders; the original binders were becoming too full. By sheer coincidence, I discovered that the International pages fit acceptably into larger 3-ring binders (2" and bigger). I ultimately moved ALL of my worldwide collection to 3-ring binders, only having to re-punch the pages with a standard three-ring punch. I am really pleased with the results.

They are certainly not as visually elegant and impressive looking as the commercial binders but I find them much more practical. Pages now lie flat and are much easier to work with. Adding additional pages is no problem (the commercial binders were all two-post, making adding/moving/removing pages difficult). I also use Steiner pages, and some homemade pages, to supplement my International pages. Occasionally, I need spaces for more issues than the International pages contain and there are a few countries I collect post-1969. Yes, these pages are smaller than the commercial pages but I have no problem with that. At a show last weekend, I bought a handful of small country (small quantity, not necessarily small countries) collections, most sets on attractive handmade pages on card stock. Inserting them into the proper country was no problem; it would have been impossible in the commercial binders. As my collections grow, it will be no problem moving the pages to a larger binder and/or reorganizing into smaller country/geographical groupings. I'm really pleased with moving everything to 3-ring binders.

All of my 20+ exhibits and many specialty/topical collections were already in 3-ring binders. Now, ALL of collections/exhibits/topics/etc. are in white, 3-ring binders. I like the consistency on the shelves. As with virtually all things philatelic, we can do things that best meet our personal interests and needs. This approach is meeting my needs quite well and I'm a most happy camper. Of course, your mileage may vary.

Thank you, everyone, for replying to this topic.

John

3-ring binders with custom coverings would be the way to get the best of both worlds.