I was wondering who is making their own album/pages rather than buying what is commercially available. I have always bought commercial, but decided this time, after returning to the hobby after a 30 year hiatus, to create my album/pages. Actually, it has been real enlightening so far. I am seeing things that I never saw before. One of the real benefits is the fact that every page has stamps on it and mostly complete issues. Anyway, if anyone is interested in discussing this issue, I would be glad to hear what others are doing and share some of my techniques.

why d'you still use stamp albums? Its a obsolete stuff. Take a look at stockbooks with a black pages. looks tidy and cheap solution.

The reason I decided to create my on album/pages is because I like to expand the information about the stamps. For instance, when I am working on my commemoratives, I will look up information about the event or person and add it to my description along with the issue title, issue date, and Scott's number. My collection is not only art, but it is history.

I use my stock book for duplicates and other stamps that I want to keep but not display. I will keep a series in my stock book until I have enough to make a nice page. Of course that is very subjective. Thanks for your reply.

How d'you attach your stamps to pages: hinges or mounts?

Are you ready for a good laugh? I mount all of my stamps in Showgards and attach the Showgards to the page using my wife's double-sided scrapbooking adhesives (very thin 1/4" sq). The adhesives never touch the stamps. My pages are on 60 lb acid free white cardstock mounted on one side only. Would you like for me to upload a page after I get off work?

If I need to re-print a page and remount, the Showgards come right off using care. I try not to re-mount, but it does happen. They are very secure otherwise.

Any pics?

Alex, I am having trouble getting a good clear picture or scan of a page. As soon as I can figure out how to do this, I will post some pictures...this is such a drag...

This one is not focused very good, but you might be able to get an idea of what we are doing, if it doesn't hurt your eyes to look at it....

Looks fine, but if you will find something like this set as pairs or blocks of 4, cheap and excellent condition,what will you do with this page ?

The nice thing about making your own pages is flexibility. I don't generally collect pairs, blocks or sheets. An example of flexibility would be The Champions of Liberty. These 17 stamps were issued between 1957-1961, one large single and 8 pairs (4c and 8c). Commercial albums generally require you place them in the respective year. However, I have put them all together as a series covering five years on a single page. It took some creative placement, but it worked out well. Some may not like that idea, but I like they way it looks. I have done this for several series, so that the complete set can be viewed all at once. I am waiting on some Showgards for this set otherwise I would post a picture for your comment. I always enjoy and value another collectors opinion and don't mind stealing a good idea when one is presented.

By the way, what do you collect? Do you specialize? My wife and I are strictly US mint, but my son collects WW.

Nothing special. all stamps that I like. but I prefer the classic stamps - colonies and early Europe

If you are referring to the British Colonies, I think that Britain produced many beautiful stamps of high quality especially from the days when it was "The Empire on which the sun never sets". I like the older issues, especially from Australia, New Zealand, India and others. Do you have any pictures of your collection that you wouldn't mind posting?

Hi

Good job on the page you uploaded. Really like the way you presented the information for each issue. I was thinking of doing this for my Great Britain stamps. I'm using a Lighthouse Hingeless Album for my Irish mint stamps. I'm waiting on delivery of a Davo Luxury Hingeless Album for my Australian stamps. As you say there is something special about these designs.

This post has been edited by mantisirl: 25.7.2011, 4:32