Storage for worldwide stamp collection (pt5) – Stock pages
So far I’ve focused on “old school” methods for stamp collection storage on this series. Let’s take a look of some of the new (”only” 50 years old) and intuitive ways.
Stock pages (stock sheets)
Stock pages follow the concept of stockbooks with couple of notable differences.
Empty 5-row Hagner stockpage
The main problem with traditional stockbooks is that pages are fixed on the book. Stock pages on the other hand are to be placed on a binder (like stamp album pages), and are thus fully transferrable solution for stamp collection storage.
Stock pages are usually made of (non-PVC archival quality) plastic or card stock. Most stockpages can be purchased either with transparent (showing front and back of the item) or black background with transparent strips. You can even choose whether how many strips you want the stock page to have, as well as if you want single or double sided pages.
Stock pages are a very intuitive, flexible and good solution for worldwide stamp collection storage. There are however also some drawbacks…
If you try to insert a heavy (thick) cover or similar item on a stock page, the page will bend very easily. This can hurt either the items on the page or the stockp age itself… A very common practise is use stock pages where the entire item can be fitted inside the strip; this way there is no need for glassine interleaving pages.
Another very common source of issues are “2nd class” stockpages – these are usually sold notably cheaper price level, but IMO they are not worth the discount (as they will break very easily).
Stored in stock pages a complete worldwide collection of 530,000 stamps would take approx. 18,000 single-sided stockpages or 9,000 double-sided stockpages. As stock pages cost between 4-8€ / set of 5 pages (either single or double sided), the pages alone would cost at least 7,200€ if using double sided pages, or 14,400 for single-sided pages.
In addition one would need a set of quality binders (cost of 5-10€/piece) and possible interim leaves (if using doublesided pages). Assuming a single binder will accommodate 250 stock pages, then 36 binders would suffice; adding 180€ to total.
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Hi Keijo,
there is something about your numbers that I don’t quite understand. In general, you assume to put 30 stamps on every page. Thus, 530,000 stamps divided per 30 would require 18,000 pages. Each stockpage has 2 real pages (since it is double sided), so you would require 9,000 stockpages. As these come in sets of 5, you would require 1,800 sets. As each set has a price of around 4 euro (for example that of Prinz Profil System or Leuchtturm Vario), it comes to 7,200 euros. But you speak about 14,400 euros. Where is the trick?
Congratulations for this wonderful and amazing blog!
Hi,
congrats. You found an error caused by sleepy mind (as I usually write these posts in the late nights)
For some reason I had used single-sided stock pages pages in my calculations (causing twofold-cost)… But I’ll edit the entry.
Hi Keijo,
About PVC:a form of PVC(unplasticized or hard PVC) is widely used in stockbooks, stockpages no matter how cheap or expensive these things are. That includes all major manufacturers. Even hard PVC is potentially dangerous to stamps and covers. Usually stamp mounts and approval cards are non-PVC but one should always be careful.I used to buy the expensive stockbooks with clear strips and acrylic interleaving that as it turned out are made of hard PVC. It is possible that the humble stockbooks with glassine strips and interleaving might be safer after all.
Hi Jimmy,
and thanks for sharing your knowledge. It definitely raises some thoughts.
I like to keep my collection in the basic black plastic two-sided stock sheets. But I am now concerned as to which is safe! I was thinking of just using Lighthouse (Vario) — is that safe — what should I use? Thank you!
Hi Matt,
Lighthouse / Vario states that their stocksheets are free from harmful plastecized PVC and softeners. So I guess it makes them ok.
i use locally available non branded stock sheets. they are priced at Rs 30 / sheet with and are in every which way similar to the branded sheets except that they do not have the filing provision. so what i do is use sheet protectors which i get here for Rs 150 for set of 50 and then put the sheets in a 4D binder.
overall this method works for me lot more cheaper than a branded stock book. the difference is branded stock book – Rs 900 – Rs 2500. my method of stock sheets in protector sheets in binders Rs 400 – Rs 1100 for the same no of pages in comparison with stock books.
obviously my stamps are all stored in these stock sheets and only countries that have or are nearing 90% + completion go into the branded stock books.
my question. should i be concerned with my method of storage in these local stock sheets? has worked well for years.
@Vivin… I think it all comes down to trust. If you know that the materials on the non-branded stock sheets and stock books are stamp safe and of archive quality, then You have no problems. But I think anyone’s who has seen”old” cheap Chinese stock books with stamps, knows what kind of damages can/will occur in 10-20 years with wrong kind of materials (especially under extreme conditions).
I think the expression “Too poor to buy cheap” says it all. If not for anything else, then for increased peace of mind.
Hi Keijo,
I started with Vario Brand stock sheets.. recently here
I came across Supersafe Brand … Both of these are PVC,
Lignin and Acid free…also there are by Avery Stock Pages
double sided. 200 sheets/around 16 to 20 USD. but these
are for Full Sheets.
I plan most of my stamps in these type of Stock sheets
BTW they are two sided. I put 37 lbs Paper or 67lbs Card
board in full sheet Protector sheets.
for me still Lingering question is What Type of Binder
I should use. Till I decide I will use Avery 1 1/2′ and 2″
binders. Other stocks I keep in Glassine Paper Books
I got Bidden in India.Each of 90/100 Pages. of Defferent sizes.
Regarding Chinese Make… what I see critics.. to me
little surprise.. Recently I have seen many of the well
known Companies.. are making goods in China.
e.g. I saw in Micheal’s Craft Store 12″x12″ Protector
sheets PVC,Lignin and Acid free. Made in China.
Even Martha Stewards Brand Made in China.
May be Recently they are making these goods specially for
USA according to specifications by US companies.
Certainly I will Go with US company which specify Acid and Lignin Free Material. It good to know what other people are
Using for Storage.
cheers
N.B. The Papers and card boards by Wausau,Boise and Hammer
Mills are Acid and Lignin free. for Paper 30/67 Lbs
and Cards 70/110 lbs are stiff enough. Card boards
for the Printing Album Pages. If one want to make Album.
cheers
Keijo, I was wondering if you were interested in combining your various posts on stockbooks, stockpages, etc, into one topic regarding costs and benefits of storage methods, or something like that. The reason I asked is I am having a hard time finding that information related to Vivin’s post immediately above under storage for ww collection – stock pages (pt. 5)??? Just a thought and if you think this is not worthwhile, I perfectly understand. Thanks again. PS the last cover has lots of good stuff for me!!!
First, for everyone wondering what plastics are safe, and what are not. Read this: http://www.stamps.org/Newsletter/StampsPlastics.pdf
I think I’ve linked this one earlier on some post, but this is always worth a re-read. It makes a good general introduction to topic of stamps & plastics (and anyone interested of more details can Google for more information; and trust me there’s plenty of knowledge out there).
@Tikithindi… Re, the binder question. Personally I’d pick a product that matches the number of holes in sheets / pages (usually 7,8,9 or 14).
Re, my criticism against “made in China” stamp accessories. I agree they are catching up with quality in general, but as long as there is no “brand” to guarantee the ingredients, methods etc. used in production, I would not touch them with 100ft pole.
Like said earlier, I’m too poor to buy cheap.
Re, ” Acid and Lignin free.”… But are they of Archival quality (and preferrably alkaline buffered)? I have a feeling a lot of collectors don’t know/realize, that this is different parameter in addition of products being acid & ligning free. Archival quality means that the product has been specially tested to measure their acidic and buffered content, and it has been shown to fall within acceptable parameters/safe levels.
@Rick… It would make one gigantic post, with way too many comments. More than combining, I might consider splitting the topic even into smaller topics some day… Happy to hear You’re enjoying the stamps
Keijo,
Not to be difficult, but I am not sure I explained myself very well. What I had in mind was in euros the cost per, say, 1000 stamps to store on stckpages, stockbooks, diy albums, etc.
@Rick… But there is such already: http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/storage-summary.php
Just divide the stated costs with 530,000 stamps, and you’ll get a cost per mille stamps.
Perfect! Thanks!
Hey Keijo,
This is a great blog i have found very helpful in trying to get a handle on my stamp collection. I have tons of stamps!! I do not like dealing with stamp hinges and albums but i had a few 8-row plastic sleeves i kept stamps in and found that method my favorite since its easy and i can see a lot more stamps at a time. I have thought about making a custom stamp album for the U.S. collection based off these plastic stock pages. I found a website that sells the stockpages but after reading this discussion i wanted to get your opinion on this. here is the website. scroll down to the 8-row page
http://www.bagsunlimited.com/c-614-3-ring-binder-pages.aspx
Will these be safe? Is $40 a good price for 50 sheets? Is there a better buy online you can steer me towards. Help would be much appreciated, thanks
@Tucker… They sell collector accessories, so I would assume they are safe
Like with any plastic product I’d be a bit cautious with long term effects. What I’ve read archival polypropylene should be one of the few plastics that is somewhat stable on the long run. APS CARE website states that PP plastics have had some issues though…What worries me most is the fact they are unbranded (or I didn’t notice manufacturer information).
Pricewise…Not cheap, but not deadly expensive either. But for $40 I could buy a similar number of brand (Lighthouse, Prinz,SAFE, Linder, Hawid etc) stock pages – and sleep well knowing that they are reliable and durable… So my advice – shop around a bit more. Most stamp shops / dealers should have these easily available; the only difference is how much profit they try to make out of You (and sometimes there may have a sale of 2nd grade pages – these are nowhere as durable as real things)
I am usually handle this material for my collection, the stuff Tucker show above, don’t familiarize with the brand, but seems to me the price is OK… considering the pages are double side, you save pages and money. Example; In UK, the package of 5 pages single side cost you £ 3; if they are double side will be about £5 or 6…
Of course I’m talking of renowned names: Prinz, Lighthouse etc;
Considering the relation Dollar/Sterling, for me would be an advantage but…I have to consider others factors as well… keep in touch about this matter!
Blimey Keijo…for $ 40 you don’t buy 50 sheets (double side) of Prinz, Lindner et al; …at least not in UK…ja,je,ji,jo,ju!
Blimey indeed… Something’s cheaper in Finland than in UK
Uh yep, and on my next visit to see the aurora borealis, in Lapland, I’ll be sure to get a lot thou…LOL!
@Fred… In that case You’d better head to southern Finland instead. All the stamps shops are there; nothing up north (except Santa’s Post Office, and they definitely don’t sell anything cheap)
If you are truly after a deal, then try heading to Germany or Netherlands instead… I Googled for some prices, and they are way below Finnish price levels: a set of 10 double sided Optima sheets start from 5€ etc!!! Of course ordering online is an option but the international shipping fees can get outrageously high if ordering small amounts.
Tucker: $40 looks like a decent price to me. My current fav for mounts here in the U.S. is GlobalStamps.com. Their prices are good on mounts, but they get $50 for the same number of sheets you listed (Safe-T brand). Global ships fast (free over $25) with lots of nice stamps on the package
You might look at TradewindsSupply.com. They are charging $3.65 per pkg of 5 double sided (no free shipping). According to them Vario, Safe-T, and Lighthouse are all made by the same company. I have been tempted by some of their offerings but I have never ordered so no idea if they are reputable. The fact that they have links on their front page to two other sites with the exact same merchandise/prices does seem odd. I have seen the same thing with car parts online – multiple sites that appear to be run by the same company. Probably just to get more search hits.
Global mounts prices are way less than anywhere and if you order $25 worth of goodies shipping is free!
Hi Keijo
You mentioned “quality” binders for use with stock sheets – could you please tell me what a quality binder is.
Also, I would very much appreciate a copy of your Excel template.
Thank you for your time and for this wonderful website – it has been very inspiring!
@Maryann…. With quality binder I refer to binder that has at least 4, preferably 6 or 8 rings. These usually have also a different (more durable) open/close mechanism than the cheap (2-ring) binders.
A copy of template file also on the way…