Storage of Stamps.

[darkormex]

Originally Posted by Waroff49
Even for the beginner, the way you store your stamps IS IMPORTANT.

If like most of us, you will only have stamps out of storage for a short time, compared to when they are in your album.

There are 5 major considerations in storing stamps,
1. Humidity,
2, Temperature,
3. Light,
4. dust and
5. insect infestation.

Humidity. High humidity and Low humidity are both bad for stamps, high because it helps the growth of a fungus called 'rust' and low because the paper being organic in nature dries out and becomes brittle. This is especially so for mint stamps, as the glue is most at risk.

Temperature. Both high temperatures and great variances in temperature tend to shorten the life of stamps and when combined with humidity can have devastating effects,

Light. Direct light can fade stamps or in some cases change their colours. Some colours are worse for fading than others.

Dust. because it carries micro-organisms which can damage stamps and can cause physical damage to the paper/ink.

Insects- especially silverfish can eat your stamps and make them worthless.

More to follow.....over......

[darkormex]

Another important consideration is the movement of air around the stamps. I know today many people (including myself) use plastic mounts which exclude air but some air movement is necessary. To lock your stamps in a small dark cupboard with poor ventilation is not good.

Albums and stockbooks should be stood up and not crushed. I don't know exactly why but think it has something to do with pressure exerted on the stamps.

more to follow.....over

[Admin Bear]

i have a question on this very issue. my albums stand up but i have noted that my US collection (that does not have dust covers) is starting to sag a great deal and it bulges in the middle.. any solutions?

[cbavier]

Bear add albums. Don't pack so many stamps in one album. I know your referring to the Mystic Albums you bought last year. The three volume set Mystic sells should be spread out to five or six albums so you don't cram so many stamps in one album. I am up to five volumes and they are still starting to sag. Probably the only way to stop it entirely is to put them in covers/Boxes.

[Admin Bear]

that is what i thought.. it will have to wait though.. perhaps i will look for binders that come with the dust covers like my Canada albums have.

[cbavier]

Bear I just looked in the Mystic Catalog and the slip cases are $23.95 each. Talk about choke and croak for a cardboard box. That is highway robbery.

[cbavier]

ok Bear I called Mystic Stamp Company and the slip cases are not cardboard but are a hard plastic. They are $23.95 each and match the Green Album Covers. I am wondering if you couldn't go to an office supply store like Staples or a Teacher School Supply store and purchase slip cases across the counter. Who knows you might even find them in a Green color similar to the Mystic Album Green color.

[Admin Bear]

yes sir it is..

that was part of why i did not want to buy them there..

i will need 1-2 more albums (binders) and slip cases for them all. (4-5) that is more than i paid for the whole 3 album set with pages to start with!!



crooks..

i will find a nice 4-5 binder/slip case set sooner or later for less than buying them that way.

[cbavier]

Bear I have been thinking. Somebody on our last Forum posted instructions on how to make your own slip cases out of a piece of Heavy Poster Board and contact paper. Maybe MR Gordon Lee can remember who posted it. I was thinking maybe Benglepaws but I'm not sure. It might have been on the other Forum I belong to also. It's been well over a year ago that it came up.

[Admin Bear]

hmmmmm i sort of recall that one... it was a youTube video i think ..

i will hunt around and see about trying it.. it does not hurt

[Gordon Lee]

Oct 18, 2013 15:11:26 GMT -5 cbavier said:

Bear I have been thinking. Somebody on our last Forum posted instructions on how to make your own slip cases out of a piece of Heavy Poster Board and contact paper. Maybe MR Gordon Lee can remember who posted it. I was thinking maybe Benglepaws but I'm not sure. It might have been on the other Forum I belong to also. It's been well over a year ago that it came up.

Greetings Rev. Mr. Chuck
.
Gordon Lee has a memory like a steel sieve -- everything passes through it without a hitch.  I remember a discussion in Stamp Bears version 1.0 in which I thought slip cases were plastic bags, but remember nothing else.
.
Mean while, I'm sitting here picturing Mr. Bear's collection sagging under a big heavy pile of dust because he has no dust covers.  
.
Respectfully,

Gordon Lee 

[rbridge28570]

I'm trying to find cost savings storage methods and you all gave me some ideas to look for. Maybe Staples has the slip covers I'll stop there tomorrow. Thanks for the ideas

[cbavier]

rbridge Please let us know if you find something suitable.

[krash]

Lighthouse binders and slipcases! Hands down are the best for the money.