Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
I'm not that creative of a person. That being said, I'd like to start collecting topically, mostly right way with Ships/Aircraft, Insects and Flowers/Plants.
I have several stock books with the "glassine" strips, but I'm not convinced that these are my favorite way to store/start a topical album.
What are some of the ways that you all are doing it?
I am computer savvy (Manage an IT department) so could design my own pages I suppose, but I'm not sure I want to reinvent the wheel when it might just be easier to purchase.
Thanks!
JR
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You might try freestampalbum.com It gives you a basic border and text, you can add any size frames you need for the stamps you're working with. It's limited, but easy to use. I've used it a few times for pages I couldn't find elsewhere.
WB
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Hi JR,
I am not aware of many easily available topical pages, but If you are interested in creating your own pages, take a look at AlbumEasy (link in my signature).
If you do end up creating your own, and if you don't mind sharing them, I would be happy to host them on the http://www.thestampweb.com/albums.html page. Unfortunately, after a letter from Amos (Scott publishers), I have recently had to removed a whole bunch of albums because they included Scott numbers.
Clive
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@WB,
Very cool software. I have created a page that is pretty decent. Now I just need to get some heavier paper to print on.
@Clive,
I will be downloading AlbumEasy and playing with that tonight. That looks quite exciting and could be just the ticket!
Thanks to you both!
JR
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Hi Clive,
I just downloaded AlbumEasy and found it VERY cool and VERY easy to work with.
I have already created my first "beta" page for my "Flowers/Plants" topical page.
Thanks for the cool software, this is really neat!
JR
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Hi JR,
I am pleased that you find AlbumEasy useful. please shout, either via this forum or via the contact page on my web site if you have any questions.
Clive
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"Now I just need to get some heavier paper to print on."
I use 67 lb card stock. (What I use specifically is called Exact Vellum Bristol). Normal printer paper is typically 20-24 lb, so this is about 3 times thicker. If you want heavier than that, I have also used 110 lb card stock for other applications. The real problem is finding a printer to handle the heavier paper. Most direct feed ink jet printers can handle the 67 lb paper. If the paper path has to go around a roller and reverse directions, I find even 67 lb paper to be troublesome. 110 lb stock will work in some direct feed printers, but I tended to blow them up after about 200-300 sheets. (I was using them for a small business, not stamps). I also like the effect of using a 3/8" corner cutter available from any scrap-booking store or online.
I like to lay out my pages and fine-tune on printer paper. When I'm satisfied that I have a page worth printing, I print on card stock, cut the corners, punch 3 holes, and mount the stamps. So now you have to decide what mounts you want to use!
Lars
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For me, the first step in topical collecting is to make a list of what stamps fall into your chosen category. For this, a stamp catalogue is a necessity (online catalogues will do the job, if you find that easier). I am no fan of random accumulation of topicals.
It may be sensible to define limits for your topical collection. You may confine yourself to specific countries, or to a specific time-frame. My 'Russian Art' collection ends with the collapse of the USSR, which avoids the problem of keeping up with new issues. Such is not the case, alas, with my 'WW2 Commemoration' collection, where I have to check out all new issues and inevitably miss some.
The advantage of a 'limited' collection is that you can generate your album pages in whatever order you choose - my 'Russian Art' (after some consideration) goes by birthdate of the artist - confident that you will end sooner or later. The disadvantage of an 'ongoing' collection is that it ends up as a main album to which various pages are then added over the years, not always as logically or clearly as what you started out with. (This is what is happening to my WW2 collection, I'm afraid.)
The more advanced topical collector must then decide what does and does not fall within his topic. If you have a collection of 'Ships', do you want every single stamp which has a ship, or part of a ship, somewhere in the design (in my view, that way madness lies!); do you want 'historical' named ships; or are you more concerned with types of ship? If you want the lot, then at least this sort of analysis gives you a clue as to how you might arrange your collection.
I make my own pages using Microsoft Word - it is not difficult once you are satisfied with your template and decide on font type, size and variety. I prefer tinted pages ("ivory") to plain white - easier on the eye.
In the UK, Stanley Gibbons publishes specific topical catalogues (e.g. 'Motor Vehicles') - perhaps Scott does something similar, if you do not fancy the trouble of making up your own lists.
I store newly-acquired stamps on those traditional black card pages. The problem there is transferring them to a proper album - I have too many stamps that await the transfer!
Good luck with whatever you choose!
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Hi Lars/Guthrum,
Wow, you guys are very insightful and have really given me a few nice directions to take my thinking.
I'm actually quite well versed in MS-Word so that is a great idea as well.
Additionally, I really like the 67 weight paper tip, that was actually gonna be one of my next questions, and I do need that paper to go through a printer, and thankfully I have access to both a direct feed and a "rolling" feed to test on.
Thank you both for the good ideas and wisdom!
JR
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I use 28lb as a trade off between weight, cost, and thickness (pages per album).
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"Additionally, I really like the 67 weight paper tip, that was actually gonna be one of my next questions, and I do need that paper to go through a printer, and thankfully I have access to both a direct feed and a "rolling" feed to test on."
I print on 67 pound paper for my albums using a cheap Canon inkjet. No problems at all with the page weight. The above example is created in Word.. two headers per page. Then I cut the page twice on my cutting board to end up with two 5x7 cards that fit in my clear two pocket pages.
So in effect, I print two pages at the same time. I have a Word template I set up that I use, I don't even save the pages. Add data for next two stamps... print... go to the next two stamps. And I have a large stack of 5x7 blank cards for the bottoms. I charmed the nice lady at Staples to cut them for me on the electric cutter, full pack of 250 sheets, yielded 500 cards!
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One other tip, while we're at it. If you do use closed stamp mounts that open in the middle and only use the top section adhesive and use it sparingly, it's fairly easy to use a smooth round nose tong to gently remove the mount, flip it, and use it again. That can come in handy if you find yourself recreating pages.
Lars
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colnect themes ...
https://colnect.com/en/stamps/themes
useful progtram for images...
http://www.germanstamps.net/pmgs_stampfix/
Login to Like
this post
Hi all,
I'm not that creative of a person. That being said, I'd like to start collecting topically, mostly right way with Ships/Aircraft, Insects and Flowers/Plants.
I have several stock books with the "glassine" strips, but I'm not convinced that these are my favorite way to store/start a topical album.
What are some of the ways that you all are doing it?
I am computer savvy (Manage an IT department) so could design my own pages I suppose, but I'm not sure I want to reinvent the wheel when it might just be easier to purchase.
Thanks!
JR
Login to Like
this post
re: Like to start with Topical Collecting - How to store? What is popular?
You might try freestampalbum.com It gives you a basic border and text, you can add any size frames you need for the stamps you're working with. It's limited, but easy to use. I've used it a few times for pages I couldn't find elsewhere.
WB
Login to Like
this post
re: Like to start with Topical Collecting - How to store? What is popular?
Hi JR,
I am not aware of many easily available topical pages, but If you are interested in creating your own pages, take a look at AlbumEasy (link in my signature).
If you do end up creating your own, and if you don't mind sharing them, I would be happy to host them on the http://www.thestampweb.com/albums.html page. Unfortunately, after a letter from Amos (Scott publishers), I have recently had to removed a whole bunch of albums because they included Scott numbers.
Clive
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: Like to start with Topical Collecting - How to store? What is popular?
@WB,
Very cool software. I have created a page that is pretty decent. Now I just need to get some heavier paper to print on.
@Clive,
I will be downloading AlbumEasy and playing with that tonight. That looks quite exciting and could be just the ticket!
Thanks to you both!
JR
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: Like to start with Topical Collecting - How to store? What is popular?
Hi Clive,
I just downloaded AlbumEasy and found it VERY cool and VERY easy to work with.
I have already created my first "beta" page for my "Flowers/Plants" topical page.
Thanks for the cool software, this is really neat!
JR
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: Like to start with Topical Collecting - How to store? What is popular?
Hi JR,
I am pleased that you find AlbumEasy useful. please shout, either via this forum or via the contact page on my web site if you have any questions.
Clive
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: Like to start with Topical Collecting - How to store? What is popular?
"Now I just need to get some heavier paper to print on."
I use 67 lb card stock. (What I use specifically is called Exact Vellum Bristol). Normal printer paper is typically 20-24 lb, so this is about 3 times thicker. If you want heavier than that, I have also used 110 lb card stock for other applications. The real problem is finding a printer to handle the heavier paper. Most direct feed ink jet printers can handle the 67 lb paper. If the paper path has to go around a roller and reverse directions, I find even 67 lb paper to be troublesome. 110 lb stock will work in some direct feed printers, but I tended to blow them up after about 200-300 sheets. (I was using them for a small business, not stamps). I also like the effect of using a 3/8" corner cutter available from any scrap-booking store or online.
I like to lay out my pages and fine-tune on printer paper. When I'm satisfied that I have a page worth printing, I print on card stock, cut the corners, punch 3 holes, and mount the stamps. So now you have to decide what mounts you want to use!
Lars
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: Like to start with Topical Collecting - How to store? What is popular?
For me, the first step in topical collecting is to make a list of what stamps fall into your chosen category. For this, a stamp catalogue is a necessity (online catalogues will do the job, if you find that easier). I am no fan of random accumulation of topicals.
It may be sensible to define limits for your topical collection. You may confine yourself to specific countries, or to a specific time-frame. My 'Russian Art' collection ends with the collapse of the USSR, which avoids the problem of keeping up with new issues. Such is not the case, alas, with my 'WW2 Commemoration' collection, where I have to check out all new issues and inevitably miss some.
The advantage of a 'limited' collection is that you can generate your album pages in whatever order you choose - my 'Russian Art' (after some consideration) goes by birthdate of the artist - confident that you will end sooner or later. The disadvantage of an 'ongoing' collection is that it ends up as a main album to which various pages are then added over the years, not always as logically or clearly as what you started out with. (This is what is happening to my WW2 collection, I'm afraid.)
The more advanced topical collector must then decide what does and does not fall within his topic. If you have a collection of 'Ships', do you want every single stamp which has a ship, or part of a ship, somewhere in the design (in my view, that way madness lies!); do you want 'historical' named ships; or are you more concerned with types of ship? If you want the lot, then at least this sort of analysis gives you a clue as to how you might arrange your collection.
I make my own pages using Microsoft Word - it is not difficult once you are satisfied with your template and decide on font type, size and variety. I prefer tinted pages ("ivory") to plain white - easier on the eye.
In the UK, Stanley Gibbons publishes specific topical catalogues (e.g. 'Motor Vehicles') - perhaps Scott does something similar, if you do not fancy the trouble of making up your own lists.
I store newly-acquired stamps on those traditional black card pages. The problem there is transferring them to a proper album - I have too many stamps that await the transfer!
Good luck with whatever you choose!
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: Like to start with Topical Collecting - How to store? What is popular?
Hi Lars/Guthrum,
Wow, you guys are very insightful and have really given me a few nice directions to take my thinking.
I'm actually quite well versed in MS-Word so that is a great idea as well.
Additionally, I really like the 67 weight paper tip, that was actually gonna be one of my next questions, and I do need that paper to go through a printer, and thankfully I have access to both a direct feed and a "rolling" feed to test on.
Thank you both for the good ideas and wisdom!
JR
Login to Like
this post
re: Like to start with Topical Collecting - How to store? What is popular?
I use 28lb as a trade off between weight, cost, and thickness (pages per album).
Login to Like
this post
re: Like to start with Topical Collecting - How to store? What is popular?
"Additionally, I really like the 67 weight paper tip, that was actually gonna be one of my next questions, and I do need that paper to go through a printer, and thankfully I have access to both a direct feed and a "rolling" feed to test on."
I print on 67 pound paper for my albums using a cheap Canon inkjet. No problems at all with the page weight. The above example is created in Word.. two headers per page. Then I cut the page twice on my cutting board to end up with two 5x7 cards that fit in my clear two pocket pages.
So in effect, I print two pages at the same time. I have a Word template I set up that I use, I don't even save the pages. Add data for next two stamps... print... go to the next two stamps. And I have a large stack of 5x7 blank cards for the bottoms. I charmed the nice lady at Staples to cut them for me on the electric cutter, full pack of 250 sheets, yielded 500 cards!
Login to Like
this post
re: Like to start with Topical Collecting - How to store? What is popular?
One other tip, while we're at it. If you do use closed stamp mounts that open in the middle and only use the top section adhesive and use it sparingly, it's fairly easy to use a smooth round nose tong to gently remove the mount, flip it, and use it again. That can come in handy if you find yourself recreating pages.
Lars
Login to Like
this post
re: Like to start with Topical Collecting - How to store? What is popular?
colnect themes ...
https://colnect.com/en/stamps/themes
useful progtram for images...
http://www.germanstamps.net/pmgs_stampfix/
Login to Like
this post