Which Stamp Mounts Do You Prefer?

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Peter


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If you want to include mounts readily available in Canadian stores you may want to add Lighthouse and Uni-Safe.

I've been using the Davo Easy Mounts (self adhesive). Buy 'em from Palo. It's a small convenience but one I like.

Davo easy mounts are my preferance, a bit pricy, but I prefer them to Lighthouse and Prinz

It would be nice to hear what are the differences between the various mounts and why people choose them. Personally, I use Hawid (clear), because they are top-loading, which I prefer, and as far as I know they are the only top-loading mount. But I am open to something new if there are better options. I thought basically the only difference was top-loading vs splitback (and clear vs black). I have used splitback mounts from Showgard. I didn't know there was a big difference between all of the different brands being mentioned (Davo, Uni-Safe, Prinz etc..)

When I first started using mounts in the late 1960s to early 1970s, the only ones available to me were the Hawid top loading and the Showgard split backs. I started using the split backs since I liked the idea of being able to lift the bottom part of the mount and see the imprint on the page below for catalogue number, etc. However, no matter how hard I tried I would usually end up with some moisture entering the seam and damaging the gum on the stamp. So I switched to top loading Hawids. The Hawid mounts in those years were more of a dark green than a black which I didn't realize until Lighthouse mounts became available to me. Since then I have replaced all of the greenish mounts, which by the way popped off easily.

I have stuck with Lighthouse and Uni-safe which from a colour point of view appear to be identical. Out of those 2 my preference is the Lighthouse mounts since I have never had an issue with them of not holding or the stamps shifting. Removing either of them without damaging the page, well that is another topic.

The ones I have in large numbers. Hawid. The price tags on them are very small so I figure they are from the 90s. Still sealed so I will use them up.

Me too!
I bought 5Kg or 7Kg a few years ago
I emailed all dealers requesting old / unwanted stock .

Dislike Showguard split backs, as a WW collector frequently udating damaged or heavily pmk examples.

I do take Showguard, I slice them in half lengthwise, and use them as Hawids.

My preference is for HAWID top loaders up to around 33mm. I like Prinz/Scott due to true black back and cheaper than Showgard.

I was a split back collector most of my life until about five years ago when I ruined a pricey stamp going through the clumsy contortions these mounts require. Went top load and never looked back. Hawid baby! So much faster and easier.

A reason I prefer Showgard vs Prinz/Scott is their 25mm mount. There is a difference with space being used for the glue at the top and bottom.

A lot of French and French colony stamps need a 25 mm mount . They both measure 25 externally but the Prinz mounts have less room for the stamp than the Showgard . The stamps won't fit in the Prinz mounts.

I find the Prinz/Scott black background mounts to be the best for my needs. I never use stamp hinges; I mount all of my stamps. I don't use the top loading mounts as prefer the security of the Prinz/Scott mounts.

I find the Prinz/Scott mounts to be superior to the Showgard mounts. Prinz/Scott mounts have a black background where as the Showgard mounts have very dark blue or blue/black background. The Prinz/Scott mounts have a slightly matte clear front finish thus reducing glare and making stamps easy to view; where as the Showgard mount have a high gloss clear finish with a highly reflective glare. The overall quality of the Prinz/Scott mounts seems better as the lay flat in their packaging where as the Showgard mounts often come out of there packing looking wavy, especially as they age.

My pet peeve about both manufacturers is defects; little bubbles or pimples and other various blemishes in the strip mounts. It is aggravating when you take a fresh strip from the package, especially the expensive larger sizes, and find a bubble or pimple in the middle of it, making is unusable as is and having to be cut into shorter sizes.

Note: Lighthouse took over Hawid and now manufactures the Hawid Brand mounts.

I have seen this with Showgards I was given. I assumed they had been improperly stored. They were so wavy many were unusable.

Hawid top loaders.