Showgard Mounts Sizes

I am just getting into using SHowgard mounts(or similar kinds). Since I'm new to these, how do I know which ones I would most often use for worldwide stamps? Thanks

Most will fit between 25mm and 35mm for the older ones

Thanks, that helps.

I've found it very difficult to figure that out myself. It was expensive, but over time I've put together a pretty complete supply of Showguard in every size.

One problem is that different album makers may have a differently sized "box" for the same stamp. With the Scott Specialty Series there may even be a small difference from printing to printing or year to year. That matters to me because the demons in me will not allow the printed lines to show outside the boundaries of the mounts.

To answer your question - trial and error!

Also, you will need additional sizes if you intend to mount strips, blocks, plate blocks, booklets, souvenir sheets, mini-sheets, etc. etc. etc.!

Seems like a lot of things I do are "trial and error", sometimes more error than trial . Thanks for the info.

i seem to use a lot of size 28 and size 40..purchase a couple of different sizes and you will get an idea...

You should contact Shogard and get a mount size gauge, There free. Most Showgard dealers also have them to giveaway.

I should have told you this before. Sorry!

When I purchased a "variety pack" to try, there was a gauge on the back where you put your stamp and find the size that fits that stamp best, is that what you are referring to?

That one will work to. I took one from their literature and laminated it. You can get the laminating sheets at Staples. Or, any other stationary store.

Like stampdog suggested the variety pack has many different sizes and a size gauge. It really is great for beginners and price wise it is a decent deal. It comes with a plastic box and flip holders that are numbered. Once you run out or get low just reorder strip sets and keep the box holder for new supplies. Mine has lasted about 15 years now. I just keep refilling with the strips.

The tray pack costs but is worth it in the long run.


The precut packs are nice but will cost more than the strips.

Also, I would definitely recommend a guillotine cutter instead of shears if not already purchased.


Example for US, not World Wide but will give a idea.
Standard U.S. Stamps with the correct Showgard Mount sizes for the various collecting styles.

Horizontal Commemorative

Single…………………………………………………..……..J 40/25

Vertical Pair…………………………………………………..No. 50

Horizontal Pair or Strip…………………………………...….No. 25

Block of 4………………………………………………...…..No. 50

Plate Block of 4- Plate # on narrow selvage………….……...No.105/57

Plate Block of 4- Plate # on wide selvage…………………........No. 106/55

Plate Blocks of 4 from panes of 20 stamps………….….……....No. 63

Plate Strip of 6 to 20 stamps…………………………………….No. 107

Plate Strip of 6 to 20 stamps with floating plate numbers………No.111

Miniature Sheets of 20 stamps with single design………….......No. 204/153

Full Sheets of 50 stamps………………………………………...No. 265/231


Vertical Commemorative

Single…………………………………………………..………...JV 25/40

Vertical Pair………………………………………………….…..No. 80

Horizontal Pair or Strip……………………………………….….No. 41

Block of 4…………………………………………….………..…No. 80

Plate Block of 4- Plate # on narrow selvage…………..………….No.105/57

Plate Block of 4- Plate # on wide selvage……………..………....No. 106/55

Plate Blocks of 4 from panes of 20 stamps with same design…....No. 164/94

Plate Strip of 6 to 20 stamps…………………………………..….No. 107

Plate Strip of 6 to 20 stamps with floating plate numbers………..No. 111

Sheets of 20 stamps with single design…………………………..No. 188

Legends of Hollywood Panes…………………………………….No. 188

Bugs Bunny Type Sheetlets of 10………………………………..No. 229/131

Full Sheets of 50 stamps…………………………………………No. 265/231



Horizontal Regular Issue

Single…………………………………………..…………………EH 25/22

Vertical Pair……………………………………….………….…..No. 44

Horizontal Pair or Strip…………………………….………….….No. 22

Block of 4………………………………………….….………..…No. 44

Plate Block of 4 from sheet of 100 stamps………………………..No. 57/55

Plate Block of 4 from sheet of 20 stamps…………………………No. 260/55

Plate Strip of 6 to 20 stamps with floating plate numbers………...No. 260/59

Sheets and Panes of 20 stamps…………………………………….No. 127

Full Sheets of 100 stamps…………………………………………No. 265/231


Vertical Regular Issue

Single…………………………………………..………….………E 22/25

Vertical Pair……………………………………….…………..…..No. 50

Horizontal Pair or Strip…………………………….…………..….No. 25

Block of 4………………………………………….….……………No. 50

Plate Block of 4 from sheet of 100 stamps………………………...No. 57/55

Plate Block of 4 from sheet of 20 stamps……………………….…No. 63

Plate Strip of 6 to 20 stamps with floating plate numbers………....No. 260/59

Sheets and Panes of 20 stamps……………………………………..No. 127

ATM Self Adhesive Panes………………………………………....No. 68

Vending Booklets…………………………………………………..No. 260/46

Full Sheets of 100 stamps………………………………………….No. 265/231



Horizontal Jumbo Commemoratives

Single…………………………………………..…………………C 50/31

Vertical Pair……………………………………….………….…..No. 63

Horizontal Pair or Strip…………………………….………….….No. 31

Block of 4………………………………………….….………..…No. 63

Plate Block of 4…………………………………………………...No. 127/70

Plate Strip of 6 or 20………………………………………………No. 127

Full Sheets of 32 stamps.…………………………………………No. 265/231



Vertical Jumbo Commemoratives

Single…………………………………………..…………………CV 31/50

Vertical Pair……………………………………….………….…..No. 100

Horizontal Pair or Strip…………………………….………….….No. 50

Block of 4………………………………………….….………..…No. 100

Plate Block of 4…………………………………………………...No. 127/70

Plate Strip of 6 or 20………………………………………………No. 127

Full Sheets of 32 stamps…………..………………………………No. 265/231



Famous Americans and Champions of Liberty

Single…………………………………………..…………………T 25/27

Vertical Pair……………………………………….………….…..No. 260/55

Horizontal Pair or Strip…………………………….………….….No. 27

Block of 4………………………………………….….………..…No. 50

Plate Block of 4…………………………………………………...No. 260/55

Plate Block of 4- 8¢ Champions of Liberty………………...……..No. 63

Plate Block of 4- 4¢ Champions of Liberty & Famous Americans.No. 260/55

Full Sheets…………………………………………………………No. 265/231



Horizontal Semi-Jumbo Commemoratives

Single…………………………………………..…………………AH 41/31

Vertical Pair……………………………………….………….…..No. 63

Horizontal Pair or Strip…………………………….………….….No. 31

Block of 4………………………………………….….………..…No. 63

Plate Block of 4…………………………………………………...No. 70

Plate Strip of 6 or 20………………………………………………No. 107

Full Sheets of 40 stamps…………………………………………..No. 265/231

Classic Collections Sheets of 20 stamps…………………………..No. 192/201


Vertical Semi-Jumbo Commemoratives

Single…………………………………………..…………………AV 31/41

Vertical Pair……………………………………….………….…..No. 82

Horizontal Pair or Strip…………………………….………….….No. 41

Block of 4………………………………………….….………..…No. 82

Plate Block of 4…………………………………………………...No. 107

Plate Strip of 6 or 20………………………………………………No. 107

Full Sheets of 40 stamps…………………………………………..No. 265/231

Classic Collections Sheets of 20 stamps…………………………..No. 192/201



Square Commemoratives

Single…………………………………………..…………………S 31/31

Vertical Pair……………………………………….………….…..No. 63

Horizontal Pair or Strip…………………………….………….….No. 31

Block of 4………………………………………….….………..…No. 63

Plate Block of 4…………………………………………………...No. 100

Plate Strip of 6 or 20………………………………………………No. 100

Full Sheet of 48 stamps……………………………………………No. 265/231

Celebrate the Century Sheets ……………………………………..No. 191/229



Federal Duck Stamps

Single…………………………………………..………….………DH 52/36

Vertical Pair……………………………………….…………..…..No. 74

Horizontal Pair or Strip…………………………….…………..….No. 36

Block of 4………………………………………….….………...…No. 70

Plate Block of 4…………………………………………………....No. 89

Self Adhesive Sheetlet…………………………………………..…No. 66

I get my mounts from Mystic Stamp Co. They seem to have the best deal around. $2.95 for 50 regular sized mounts and $2.90 for shipping for as many sets as you want. When you start getting into larger sizes the price goes up for each pack but they are still the cheapest around. They have a great selection of sizes available and will help you find the right sizes you need.

After mounting about 90% of my Latin America stamps now Showgard goes and comes out with a 26mm size. Many world collectors have found a 25mm is to tight on a lot of the regular issues and the next size a 27mm always seemed to large. Just wish they had done it sooner.
We might eventually see many new intermediate sizes that have been missing for a long time in the near future.

Palo Albums recommends top loading mounts...any luck with them? You can cut the sides and top to size. I think the downside is the stamps seem to slide over and possible out...perhaps they don't frame as well? I haven't tried them but I've see a few in used pages I've purchased.

I didn't know they had a 26mm.

very definitely about buying a guillotine cutter (the larger one) as they will give you a more professional and square cut and are much quicker if you're mounting a lot of material.

I also use their mount file and have run many hundreds of strips in and out of the one I have. It's getting a little ragged but it's a trooper and will go a few more years.

Where might one find a reasonably-priced guillotine cutter?

$62.75 - Subway Showgard Ortho (for strips to 6 wide)
$52.95 - Global (cuts up to 6-inch mounts)
$44.99 - iHobb SAFE Brand (for strips to 6-1/2" wide)
$39.99 - Kenmore (no details listed)
$31.25 - Subway Showgard Ortho (3 5/8")
$25.99 - iHobb SAFE Brand (for strips to 4-5/16" wide)

Any recommendations on model or other/better prices?