DKPA Basic Philately : Albums and Stock Books

Now that you have a nice bunch of flat stamps, its time to mount them. You require a stamp album for this. Stamp albums are available in the hobby shops with country names and spaces for them. These are however costly. You can make stamp albums yourself with a printer and PC. There is a lovely site on the internet www.stampalbums.com where you can download PDF format stamp albums specific to a country. These are very nice. Print them on acid free paper and use them. If you have a specific collection then design a stamp album of your own. Be systematic and use all your aesthetic sense to make a neat presentation. It should be pleasing to your sense and worth treasuring. Read more about stamp albums and stock books in Tools and Tips .

	You require stamp hinges to mount the stamps. Fold the hinge about one third of the way down. This gives you a short flap and and long flap. Hinges can be bought pre-folded this way. Moisten the shorter flap with a little water from a paint brush. (Do not lick them - they say it is not good for the health).
	Place the stamp face down and apply the hinge to the back of the stamp. Use stamp tongs. Get into the practice of using tongs from day one. Imagine a surgeon using his bare hands to operate a patient. Feels awful doesn't it. Place the hinge as near to the top as you can. See that the hinge should not show from the front.
	Pairs and Blocks of stamps can be hinged as shown. You can fold the hinge the long side (lengthways) for such stamps. Place the hinge across the perforated joint.
	Triangular stamps should be mounted along the edge nearest to the albums spine. This way they do not catch and crease when the album is turned. Attach the hinge to one side as shown.
	Think where the stamp has to go. Position the stamp carefully on the page. Press down to stick the stamp on the page. Use a clean paper across the stamp while pressing so as not to soil it. Allow a minute or two for the hinge to stick. Lift the stamp gently with tongs to see that the stamp does not stick to the album. Once dry the stamp can be peeled off in case you have made a mistake.
	Some philatelists do not use hinges to mount their stamps. They usually collect stamps with the original gum still intact. These stamps are Mint Never Hinged (MNH). A mount is used to protect the stamp in this case. Mounts are costly and beginners who collect stamps off envelopes need not go in for this. Another method of arranging the stamps is to place them in Stock Books. These are cardboard books with cellophane strips to hold the stamps. These can be used to keep your collection safely. Stamps can be removed whenever required. This way you can show your collection to your friends and exchange stamps without peeling them off your album.