Older Stockbooks: Acid-Free Concern

Hi all,

I just received two older (not sure how old but would guess 20 yrs old perhaps) Lighthouse Stockbooks. Found them on ebay and didn't really think about this until they arrived, but is there an easy way to determine if they are safe to use from an archival paper standpoint? I'm not planning on putting any expensive stamps in them, but even a pile of old dirty used Dominican airmails deserves a safe home, eh?

I may have to email the company, but thought it might be worthwhile asking here first (given that it seems to be a limitless resource of philatelic knowledge!)

thanks...

I posted a link recently on "acid free" paper and stockbooks
Very few passed the rigid test, but that should make no never mind,
lighthouse is going to be the best you can get
without going overboard.

If they have glassine strips on white background, then they are very likely still doing fine.

The most of the stockbook related problems I've read have involved the ones with transparent strips (either on black or white background). These have had issues with glue and plastic softeners used in days gone by. Not so many issues with paper acid (though it does increase over time if I recall properly).

But if You get in touch with Lighthouse (or Leuchtturm as they are known in Europe) folks, please do share their response. It would be very interesting to know from the official source.

I have a couple of the new/modern Lighthouse books with the transparent strips, very recently purchased as new. Hopefully they are okay.

This thread was more focused on these two older books and yes, they have white pages with glassine strips, so it sounds like they should be fine from what I am reading...

thanks...

I'd be reluctant to use secondhand stockbooks. I replace mine about every 10 years (along with hagner sheets).

There have been significant technological advances and new stockbooks are cheap given the potential value of what they will hold.

I'll chime in and agree with all the comments made. Good stamps deserve good stock books to keep the investment safe over the long term.

This may be a bit off the subject, but before trashing non-archival stockbooks, thought I'd show this Elbe "stamp wallet" I still have that dates back years ago. While it's no longer used as a "stamp wallet", the advertising on it makes it a keeper.