Pushing 330,000 All Different Worldwide Stamps In One Collection .

I do come across albums that look very well put together and if I can make it work, I incorporate them. I'm not shy about removing stamps from mounts and hinging them. Mounts are so bulky and most of the stamps aren't worth the mount. I have scavenged many-a-3-ring-binder from the free table at work. Slip cases can be annoying but they are very good to have to stop dust and dirt falling on the top of the edges of the album pages. If you have a DAISO (kind of like a Japanese 5-Below store) Their paper file boxes are for A4 paper and cost about $2.25 apiece. One of them fits the smaller Scott Internationals. A lot cheaper than a $40 slipcase.

Landoquakes ----- I got to stop at the 5 below and see those slipcases/file boxes and check out if I can use those .

I have another WW issue is modern hinges vs mounts. When I objectively look at a big blue, it looks better all hinges or all mounts. Even with clear mounts mixing and matching looks hodge podge? Many collectors have angst over this. A WW with mix and matches or all hinges or all mounts. Here I am talking about stamps 1941 and newer.

Then again after you hinge a stamp, it gets devalued quite a bit.

"Then again after you hinge a stamp, it gets devalued quite a bit."

That's true, but that will be my kids' problem after I die, not mine. Unless the stamp is valuable (probably $5 CV or more), I will hinge it. To me, the whole fixation on mint never hinged stamps seems unfortunate, so I almost always ignore it.

Greendragon -----We can have a lot of disagreement over the value of paying extra for MNH after 1940 stamps .Everybody can give their opinion and show sales that prove their point .
Each collector ,expert ,dealer and poster can easy prove their viewpoint .

But when we talk about 90% of the stamps in general terms we have only one major reference point . That is the stamp auction firms and from their listing in catalogs of stamp auctions ------ THEY DON'T CARE and don't fiqure a higher price for mnh in the valuations.

This is for 90% of post -1940 stamps , the 10% is still sold at a premium.

The Scott Classic Specialized catalogue inserts a note in the listings when the switch is made to MNH thereafter being the expected condition; for all issues after that note, MNH is assumed and baked into the catalogue value.

For Great Britain, it starts at the Peace issue of 1946. You should not pay any premium for MNH in the Peace issue, or subsequent GB issues.

Has anyone done this? You cut a true Dennison or older hinge and stick it to the back of MNH and then you hinge with a modern hinge on top.

It will still leave trace of being hinged. IMHO, it would technically still be previously hinged, regardless of any magic tricks used.

John

That would definitely be unhinged.

Yes it will still be hinged from MNH to hinged, but you save the stamp from modern hinges. What do you think of the idea for the safety of the stamp. I just like the look of all hinged or all mounted on WW big blue.

Many Countries in the Scott catalog carry a separate value for MNH and these stamps are invariably from the 1920s to 1940s. Russia is a prime example. The reason for this is that hinges were what was used to mount these when they were new issues. Everyone used hinges and stamp collecting was in its heyday. It is genuinely difficult to find these stamps with unsullied original gum. Whether or not you personally care about MNH there are those that want their material as close as possible to a purchase at the post office.

I don't see this being as much of an issue for stamps issued and collected as the decades roll on from the 1950's. Quantities issued were ever greater and more collectors took care to mount with new technology (plastic mounts).

A minimum catalog value stamp is probably never going to see a premium paid for MNH. It will just get passed over. Why pay more when there are thousands to choose from at any given time.

The last thing I would say is before you lick that hinge be certain that you are not degrading something that you will regret down the road. And PLEASE don't lick with a tongue that has been smoking or drinking Coke. The damage will show up years later and it isn't pretty.

John

"And PLEASE don't lick with a tongue that has been smoking or drinking Coke. The damage will show up years later and it isn't pretty."

Is there a study on this? What is the evidence that supports the claim that licking a stamp hinge while smoking or after drinking a Coke will cause damage years later?

floortrader... I've only found those at DAISO, there seems to be more of those stores being built, but A4 size seems to be the key. Snopes, as long as proper hinges are used, I have never realty seen any damage other than too much slobber when hinging stamps with gum. . I don't recommend eating things with cheese powder on them when working on stamps though ;)