The Importance of Safe Stamp Mounting
Stamp collecting is a highly flexible and rewarding hobby enjoyed by millions of people worldwide, from casual hobbyists to famous figures like President Franklin Roosevelt, John Lennon, and Maria Sharapova. As you build your collection of traditional postage stamps, covers, and other philatelic materials, keeping your items in excellent condition is vital. Before mounting, utilizing tools like the StampSnap app can help you organize your inventory by creating a likely identification or collection record.
One of the most critical decisions you will make when organizing your collection is how to secure your stamps inside an album. Using the wrong materials can permanently ruin a stamp's physical integrity and drastically reduce its market value. Understanding the proper tools available is the first step toward safe preservation.
Understanding Stamp Hinges
According to the American Philatelic Society, stamp hinges are small, thin, folded pieces of translucent paper or plastic that feature a special gum on one side. To use a hinge, a collector lightly moistens the gummed side to attach one part of the folded hinge to the back of the stamp and the other part to the album page. This classic method allows the stamp to be held securely in place while still permitting the collector to lift the stamp to examine the back. Hinges are widely available from local stamp dealers and have been a staple of the hobby for generations.
When using hinges, it is important to remember that they are designed for traditional stamp albums. If you are mounting historical items, such as early issues like the 1840 Penny Black from Great Britain or the United States 1847 issues featuring Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, preserving the back of the stamp is highly important. Because hinges use a special gum that adheres directly to the stamp, collectors must handle them with care to avoid decreasing the stamp's value or causing physical tears during any future removal.
Understanding Stamp Mounts
For collectors who prefer not to apply any moisture or adhesive directly to their stamps, stamp mounts offer an excellent alternative. Mounts are clear plastic sleeves designed to hold the stamp securely without the need for direct contact with gum. The stamp is simply slipped inside the protective plastic sleeve, and the back of the sleeve is then secured to the album page. Like hinges, these clear plastic sleeves can be easily sourced from local stamp dealers.
Unlike hinges, clear plastic sleeves do not require any gum to touch the stamp itself. This makes them highly desirable for protecting valuable items, including unused stamps that retain their original gum. By sliding the stamp into the sleeve, you protect the paper from physical contact. The sleeve itself is what gets mounted to the album page, ensuring the stamp remains in its original state.
Why You Must Avoid Household Adhesives
When mounting stamps, it is absolutely critical to avoid using common household adhesives such as standard tape or glue. The American Philatelic Society warns that using tape or glue will decrease the stamp's value and will almost certainly damage the stamps when you eventually try to remove them from your album. Standard household glues contain chemicals that can stain paper, while adhesive tapes can tear the fragile fibers of a stamp.
The warning against household tape and glue applies to all philatelic materials, including traditional postage stamps, covers, postage meters, Christmas Seals, and revenue stamps. If you attempt to salvage a stamp from an envelope or cover using improper methods, you risk ruining the piece. For instance, while older self-adhesive stamps issued before 2007 can often be soaked off paper in water, modern self-adhesives feature an oil-based backing that requires a specialized oil solvent to separate safely. Attempting to force these stamps off paper or glue them into an album will cause severe damage.
Choosing Between Albums and Stock Books
Your choice of mounting tool often depends on the type of storage system you select. If you choose a traditional stamp album, the pages will typically feature specific categories with pictures of the stamps that should appear on each page, requiring you to use hinges or mounts to keep them in place. Alternatively, you might opt for a stock book. A stock book is a type of album designed with plastic or paper pockets on each page. Because stock books do not picture specific stamps, you can organize your collection however you wish, sliding the stamps directly into the pockets without needing hinges or mounts at all.
If you choose to make your own album, the American Philatelic Society suggests using acid-free paper, and warns never to use photo albums with sticky pages, as these sticky pages will damage your stamps. Keeping your storage environment safe and free of harmful adhesives is the best way to ensure your collection lasts for years to come.
Best Practices for Handling and Recording Your Stamps
Before you begin mounting any stamps, always ensure your hands are clean, or better yet, use professional stamp tongs. Tongs look like tweezers but feature a smooth gripping surface designed specifically to handle dry stamps safely, preventing skin oils from causing damage. To keep a secure digital backup of your collection before physically mounting your items, you can use the StampSnap app to create a likely identification and maintain a digital inventory.
When identifying stamps, remember that some varieties appear identical at first glance; visual inspection alone may not be conclusive without checking watermarks or measuring perforations. For close inspection of subtle design details or paper varieties before mounting, a magnifying glass with 5x to 10x magnification is highly recommended. Taking a methodical, careful approach to handling and mounting ensures your stamps remain beautiful and valuable.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use regular tape or glue to put stamps in an album?
No. You should never use household tape or glue. Doing so will decrease the stamp's value and will likely cause permanent physical damage when you attempt to remove the stamp from your album.
What is the difference between a stamp hinge and a stamp mount?
A stamp hinge is a small, thin, folded piece of translucent paper or plastic with a special gum on one side that adheres directly to the stamp and the page. A stamp mount is a clear plastic sleeve that holds the stamp securely without any adhesive touching the stamp itself.
Do I need hinges or mounts if I use a stock book?
No. Stock books are designed with plastic or paper pockets on each page. You can slide your stamps directly into these pockets, meaning you do not need to use hinges or mounts to organize them.
Why should I use stamp tongs when mounting stamps?
You should use stamp tongs because they have a smooth gripping surface designed specifically to handle dry stamps safely. Even if you wash your hands, natural oils from your skin can transfer to the stamps and cause damage over time.