Using Stamp Hinges and Stamp Mounts

Two of the most common questions we receive at our store are “should I use stamp hinges or stamp mounts?” and, if I use mounts, “what size mount should I use?” There isn’t a right or wrong answer to how you should attach your stamps to the pages of an album. Just because I use mounts, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use stamp hinges. There are, however, some things you should consider when deciding which method to use.

Cost is a primary factor. Stamp hinges offer a relatively inexpensive method to attach stamps to your album pages. A thousand Supersafe or Prinz pre-folded stamp hinges can be purchased from most dealers and hobby stores for less than $3.00 per pack. Stamp mounts cost significantly more. To use a stamp hinge, simply moisten the upper portion of the hinge and then securely attach it to the back of the stamp. Once this step has been completed, the larger “back” portion of the hinge is moistened and then attached to the album page. The disadvantage to using hinges is that the minute the moistened hinge is attached to the back of a mint never hinged stamp with the gum intact, you disturb the gum thereby lowering the value of the stamp. In addition, stamp hinges do not offer any protection for a stamp and as noted above their use can devalue mint never hinged examples. For this reason, some collectors choose to use stamp hinges to mount their low value, postally used examples. In contrast, stamp mounts are used to mount post office fresh, mint never hinged stamps and/or higher value used stamps

If your goal is to protect your stamps and you are concerned about devaluing their value, then stamp mounts are the preferred alternative. Stamp mounts are available in two styles. The first is sealed along the bottom; both the top and sides of the amount are open. This is the type of mount commonly used in making hingeless stamp albums. This style of mount is not as secure as the second style of mount (split-back), and while not common, the stamp could fall out. Mounts of this type are sold in the U.S. under the Hawid brand.

The second type of mount is a split-back, strip mount, which is sealed at the top and bottom. This type of mount is split down the middle of the back of the strip. These mounts come in several styles, i.e., as pre-cut, strips and souvenir sheets. The back of this type of mount contains an adhesive that when moistened, will allow the mount to be attached to the page. You only need to moisten the mount along the top edge for the stamp mount to adequately stick to your album page; there is no need to moisten the entire back of the mount. Moistening the entire mount will make removing the stamp from the mount or the page a lot more difficult.

Here at our stamp shop, we stock Scott mounts, although other brands exist. Scott mounts are split-back mounts, which come in a number of different sizes. The mounts are constructed from 100% inert polystyrol foil and are designed to protect your stamps from both dust and moisture. In addition, the clear face of the mount is designed to prevent light reflections, further protecting your stamps from harm. Each Scott mount is constructed from two sheets of polystyrol foil, which are sealed at both the top and bottom. The mount is split across the back, which allows for easy insertion and safe mounting of a stamp.

Scott mounts come in sizes labeled by stamp width and stamp height and the mounts are measured in millimeters. The mounts come in a variety of sizes; for example, the strip mounts come in three lengths: 215 mm, 240 mm and 265 mm. To calculate which strip mount you require, measure the height of the stamp from top to bottom in millimeters. Select a mount that is a little larger (a few millimeters) than the stamp you wish to mount, that way you will not damage the perforations of the stamp when placing it in your album. If you are utilizing the “cut to size” strip mounts, measure the height of the stamp you wish to mount and cut the mount a few millimeters wider than the stamp. The table below lists some of the more common Scott strip mounts ; you can view the entire selection of Scott mounts in our web store.

Table 1. 215 mm Scott Strip Mounts

215 x 20 mm 215 x 33 mm

215 x 22 mm 215 x 36 mm

215 x 24 mm 215 x 39 mm

215 x 25 mm 215 x 41 mm

215 x 27 mm 215 x 44 mm

215 x 28 mm 215 x 48 mm

215 x 30 mm 215 x 50 mm

Scott mounts are available with black or clear backing. Currently, we stock the mounts with the black background, although we offer the clear mounts as a special order item. If you desire clear mounts, simply order the mounts you require, and send us a note letting us know that you prefer the clear mounts. Some philatelists prefer the mounts with the black background because it makes the perforations “pop” and the stamp appears more visible against a dark background. Others prefer clear mounts because the mount blends in with the album page. Again it is a personal preference; we offer both options to philatelists, but generally we sell more of the black mounts, which is why we stock them in our store.

Scott mounts are available in a variety of forms. There are pre-cut mounts, which are already cut to size, e.g., Scott Mount 901 – 49 x 30 mm. Strip mounts come in a variety of lengths, i.e., 215 mm, 240 mm and 260 mm. Mounts for souvenir sheets are available and are constructed to fit a single sheet or collection of sheets. The 215 mm and larger strip mounts you simply cut to size. To use a strip mount to attach your stamp to an album page, measure the height of the stamp. For example, if you have a stamp that measures 40 x 25 mm in size, Scott recommends pre-cut mount 901, which measures 44 x 30 mm in size. Notice that the recommended mount is about 4 to 5 mm larger than the size of the stamp, leaving 2 to 2.5 mm border along the top and bottom of the stamp. If you were searching for a mount for a 20 mm high stamp, and were using a 215 mm long strip mount to mount the stamp to the page, you would select the 215 x 24 mm or 215 x 25 mm strip mount, thereby allowing for a little “wiggle room” so you don’t damage the perforations of stamp.

Scott mounts are easy to cut. We often are asked what is the “best” way to cut the mount for the stamp. Frankly, the best way is to use the method you are the most comfortable with. Some philatelists use a pair of scissors that they have lying around the house, others prefer a rotary or guillotine style mount cutter, and both styles are offered in our store. Some prefer mount cutters over scissors because they make straight, right angle cuts that are more difficult to make with a pair of scissors. Unlike scissors, the use of mount cutters ensures straight, right angle cuts.

Does the use of stamp hinges vs. mounts really matter? In this discussion we identified the fact that stamp mounts are a more expensive option and that stamp hinges devalue mint never hinged examples. The truth of the matter is that it depends on the collector and what his or her objectives are. If you are collecting for fun, have few high value stamps and are not looking to build a collection as an investment, then the use of pre-folded stamp hinges is a fine way to mount stamps to an album page.

We hope that this discussion has been informative and has shed some light on how to mount stamps in your album. As we noted above, there isn’t a right or wrong way to mount your stamps; there are however, things you should consider. Examples of things to consider are the value of the stamp and its condition, i.e., if it is a post office fresh mint never hinged example or a postally used stamp. Other considerations include if you are building a collection as an investment or collecting stamps for fun. Regardless of the method you choose we wish you well and hope you have fun on your philatelic journey!