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Chapter 9. Stamp Albums

Stamp albums fall into two general categories-"printed" and "blank".

Printed albums provide spaces with illustrations and/or descriptions of each stamp that is to be placed in each space. All beginners should use a printed album and many advanced collectors continue to use them throughout their entire collecting life. They are used by far more collectors than any other type of album. They come in many styles to suit various purposes. Let us examine them in detail.

Generally speaking, all printed albums fall into three groups.

1. Albums at least possible cost for the very young. Such are little more than toys, to be used for a brief period and discarded.
2. Albums carefully designed and laid out to provide spaces for the maximum number of stamps the new or casual collector is likely to obtain. These albums vary in size according to the number of stamps they can hold and, of course, vary in price in accordance with their completeness.
3. Unabridged albums which provide spaces for all stamps of a single country, group of countries, or kind of stamp. Such albums are usually printed on one side of the page and are loose-leaf. They are expensive and often bulky, occasionally requiring several volumes to take care of a single group of stamps. They are the albums you will grow up to when you start to specialize.

The albums that will interest most collectors will be those noted under Group 2-albums that provide the maximum number of spaces for the stamps of the world. Inasmuch as there are well over one hundred thousand different stamps issued by the nations of the world it will be obvious that all of these albums are abridged in more or less degree. The largest single-volume edition of such an album is the Master Global Stamp Album published by Minkus Publications. This book is looseleaf and contains spaces for over fifty-six thousand different stamps, about half of all that have ever been issued. It is, in all respects, the largest and best single volume that has yet been published and is the maximum value obtainable for anyone desiring to collect the stamps of the world. To all intents and purposes, this album will serve the collector a lifetime. This is especially true as the publisher provides supplements each year for the newly issued stamps.

The Master Global Album with spaces for almost 56,000 stamps and more than 30,000 illustrations at the time of its publication. Yearly supplements are issued to keep the album up to date.

The Supreme Global Stamp Album in two volumes contains spaces for over 90,000 stamps with more than 50,000 illustrations including numerous reproductions of perforations, exact design sizes, enlarged design details and watermarks. Yearly supplements are available to keep the album up to date.

The Master Global Stamp Album proved to be such a great success that the publishers decided to expand this great work in order to provide the discriminate collector with an even more complete album. They have, therefore, created The Supreme Global Stamp Album in two volumes, designed to house a collection of over 90,000 stamps of the world. This album is expandable. Collectors will be able to add yearly supplements as well as blank pages for additional varieties or special items. A slipcontainer is provided to protect the album.

Various classes of printed albums:

The Comprehensive World-Wide Album, a medium size loose-leaf album for more than 30,000 stamps and 17,000 illustrations.

The New World-Wide Album, a popular loose-leaf album for beginners with spaces for over 15,000 stamps and 7,150 illustrations.

My First Stamp Album, a bound album for young beginners with spaces for over 4,300 and 2,500 illustrations.

But not every collector will desire to undertake such a large album, especially when just beginning his philatelic career. There are many other very fine printed albums which provide spaces for stamps of the world but are abridged to a greater degree than are the Supreme Global or the Master Global Stamp Albums. The variety of such albums is so great that it would be well to examine just what the beginner, or anyone for that matter, should look for in making a selection.

First, the album should be loose-leaf. For albums which are printed on both sides of the page (as most all are) this feature may not be readily understood. Whether or not supplements are to be issued for such albums, the loose-leaf feature allows you to do several things not possible with the bound book. First, it allows you to insert blank pages wherever you wish to take care of newly issued stamps or of stamps you may acquire for which no spaces have been provided in the album. This is a very important feature for without it your album is out of date the minute you acquire it. Second, it allows you to acquire new binders when your album grows too big, so you may expand your album to suit your collecting activities. Third, it allows you properly to insert interleaving between the pages of your album a desirable attribute especially for albums printed on both sides of the page. The interleaving will keep the stamps on opposite pages from locking together and, thus, from tearing when you turn the pages. Fourth, it allows you to remove sections of the album for display, exhibiting, or rearrangement according to your own desires.

By all means, whatever album you select be sure that it is loose-leaf.

If you are a beginner, allow your dealer to recommend the album best suited to your purpose. Study the albums he shows you and select the best you can afford. Even stretch a point here and afford a better album than you may at first have cared to undertake. Remember that this first album will stay with you a long while and that it can "make or break" the pleasure you receive from the hobby. If you know nothing about the hobby, it would be better to obtain a lower-priced album with the purpose in mind that this book is only to give you the feel of the game the know-how and that you will soon discard it for a better album. Still, if such is your purpose and it is a very good purpose indeed for the beginner do not waste your money on an outright toy. Let the dealer help, and buy an album that will be able to help you acquire the know-how.

United Nations Album Vatican City Album

These two outstanding albums are examples of the albums that provide spaces for all the stamps of one country. From the Minkus Publications line of three-ring binder albums that include such countries as Israel & Switzerland. These albums feature the stories behind the stamps and annual supplements.

Printed albums also include many that are especially designed to provide spaces for one kind of stamp or for the stamps of one country. Thus, you may acquire a printed album that will provide spaces for airmail stamps only, for Roosevelt Stamps, or for some special series of stamps like the Famous American Series issued by the United States, the United Nations stamps, Vatican City stamps, etc. When the subject which the album covers is complete and nothing more will ever be added to it, the loose-leaf factor is not necessary or so desirable.

There are many of these special albums that cover a wide variety of purposes. For instance, you may acquire albums that provide spaces for blocks of four of United States commemorative stamps, or other albums that provide for plate number blocks of the same. In fact you may acquire a printed album to suit almost any purpose you have in mind.

The All American Stamp Album. An outstanding album for the stamps of the United States. Interesting annotations appear on each page describing the particular issue. Printed on one side of the page. Annual supplements are available.

Still other albums in this group would be those that provide spaces for the stamps of a single country or group of countries. Such albums cover the world be- ginning with volumes for United States Stamps only, for stamps of the British Empire, for Stamps of France and Colonies, Germany and Colonies, etc., etc. As a rule these "specialized" albums are printed on one side of the page only and are in every way the very finest and most "adult" printed albums obtainable. They range in cost from about $2.95 for the smallest group of stamps covered to about $25.00 for the largest groups.

The American Plate Block Album.

As a matter of interest and to indicate the large selection of albums available we append at the end of this chapter a list of printed albums produced by the leading publishers.

BLANK ALBUMS

Blank albums are the deluxe albums of philately. They are always loose-leaf and often have pages provided with linen hinges to facilitate their opening and to make them lie flat when the book is open.

As the name implies, the pages of blank albums have no printing other than, usually, a very faint quadrille background to assist you in aligning your stamps.

Such albums are used by advanced collectors and by all others who do not wish to be controlled by printed spaces for stamps.

They are available in all qualities and sizes from a few dollars to twenty five dollars or even more for a single volume.

Things to look for in acquiring a blank album are the quality of the paper used for the pages. This should be strong, preferably of linen content; it should present a smooth but not glossy surface; and you should be able to write with pen and ink on the page without fear of blotting.

STOCK BOOKS

These are albums with pages made up of a series of pockets like an approval card in which to keep stamps. They are useful to the collector principally as a place to keep duplicates or stamps that are awaiting his pleasure to be mounted in his collection. They come in an enormous variety of styles, sizes, and qualities. The very largest are used by dealers in which to keep their stock. The very smallest are simply one-page wallets called "pocket stock books" handy things in which to carry around loose stamps.

STAMP ALBUMS

Blank albums.

A deluxe sheet album. Sheets of stamps are kept in clearacetate pockets.

SPECIAL ALBUMS

In addition to the ordinary albums and stock books mentioned, there are various albums designed for a special purpose. Such albums include those called "Mint Sheet albums" a portfolio-style folder in which full sheets of stamps may be safely stored. Other special albums would be the so-called "cover albums". These are a series of transparent envelopes into which a single "cover" may be inserted. By turning the transparent pocket, you may study either side of the cover without ever taking it out of its container. Such albums are sometimes merely a series of strong transparent pockets fastened in a ring binder. Others have the pockets arranged so that they slightly overlap each other, revealing part of the cover in each pocket.

WHERE TO BUY AN ALBUM

It would not be fair nor in the best interests of the purpose of this book to recommend a specific place where you can purchase a stamp album. Not all stamp dealers carry albums in stock and not all who do stock albums carry all that are published. Before purchasing any album it would be well to consult the advertisements of dealers who sell them. Such advertisements may be found in the various philatelic magazines and in the stamp pages of newspapers in the larger cities. Most dealers handling albums also provide descriptive price lists of what they have available. By reading these, you will be able to gather a definite idea of what you wish and you may then visit a dealer where you have opportunity to examine the albums you have read about. If you live in the country far away from any stamp store, the price lists we have mentioned will be your best bet in making a selection. If you live near a city you can personally examine the albums. And, of course, your friends who are collectors will have albums you can examine and they can help you in making your selection. It should not be difficult for anyone, anywhere, to acquire a first-class stamp album as they are available in almost every book store or department store in every town or city in the country.

LIST OF PRINTED STAMP ALBUMS

The following list of printed albums presently available to collectors is by no means intended to be complete. There are many albums published in foreign countries which are available in the United States. Also, there are many printed stamp albums published by specialty dealers to provide for the stamps in which they specialized. There are many other general albums published by others than those mentioned which have much to recommend them. Some stamp dealers, and especially stamp departments of Department Stores, make an effort to carry the publications of several manufacturers. The author has personal knowledge of the publications mentioned and can recommend them without reservation. All have features of definite interest and value to the ultimate user. Like automobiles all are good and one may appeal to an individual as better suited to his specific needs than the other.

MINKUS PUBLICATIONS ALBUMS

THE MINKUS ORGANIZATION began publishing albums about 1945. Basing their ideas on the demands of thousands of collectors who annually visited the Minkusoperated stamp departments in famous department stores throughout the country, the Minkus albums have gained wide popularity. These albums now outsell all similar albums on the market. Annual supplements for the larger world-wide albums, as well as all special country albums are published annually. The publishers take special pride in this fact.

WORLD-WIDE ALBUMS

SUPREME GLOBAL ALBUM: Looseleaf.

Features: Spacesfor over 93,000 stamps, over 60,000 clear llustrations, perforation and design varieties indicated by special enlarged illustrations, blank pages, glassine or acetate interleaving available. Most complete World Wide album of its kind, complete in 2 volumes with special slip container, priced at less than $40.00, 2 post binders with steel reinforced backs. Annual supplements.

MASTER GLOBAL ALBUM: Looseleaf.

Features: Spaces for over 56,000 stamps, over 30,000 illustrations, special enlarged illustrations of design varieties and watermarks, most complete one volume world wide album, 2 post steel reinforced back binder priced at less than $20.00. Blank pages, glassine or acetate interleaving available. Annual supplements.

COMPREHENSIVE WORLD WIDE ALBUM: Looseleaf, maps in full color, stamp identifier.

Features: Spaces for over 31,000 stamps, more than 17,000 clear illustrations, U. S. section allows for watermark and perforation varieties. Priced at less than $10.00. Blank pages and interleaving available.

In 2 post binder. The Global Albums supplements fit this album as well.

NEW WORLD WIDE STAMP ALBUM: Recommended for the beginner.

Features: Spaces for more than 16,000 stamps, over 8,000 clear illustrations, the 2-post looseleaf edition is priced at about $5.00, stamp identifier, full color maps, many other features. Blank pages and interleaving available. Bound edition priced at less than $4.00. The supplements issued annually for Global albums will also fit the World Wide.

ALL AMERICAN ALBUM:

Features: Spaces for United States Albums commemorative and regular issue stamps, airmail, special deliveries, postage dues, and many other types. Every space illustrated, catalog number from New American Stamp Catalog in each space. Stories behind the stamp, looseleaf, annual supplements, 2 post binder, priced at less than $5.00.

COMMEMORATIVE STAMP ALBUM:

Features: Spaces for every United States Commemorative stamp, on ledger stock in 3 ring binder, every space illustrated, each space with catalog number from New American Stamp Catalog. Stories behind the stamp. Annual Supplements are available. Priced at less than $6.00.

REGULAR ISSUES ALBUM:

Features: Spaces for regular United States stamps plus airmail, postage due, special delivery, ducks, Confederate States, etc. Each space illustrated and catalog number from New American Stamp Catalog included. Priced at $5.00.

PLATE BLOCK ALBUMS:

Features: A series of 4 albums for the Plate Blocks of United States stamps, fully illustrated, stories behind the stamps, in three ring binders, on ledger stock, numbers from the New American Stamp Catalog in each space, annual supplements.

VOL. I 1919-1937 Commemorative issues priced at $4.00.

VOL. II 1938-1950 Commemorative and regular issues, priced at $4.00.

VOL. Ill 1951 to date Commemorative and regular issues priced at less than $5.00.

Airmails 1918 to date priced at $3.50.

STAMP ALBUMS

COMPLETE COUNTRY ALBUMS: (With historical decriptions in 3 ring binders.)

Features: Israel, Vatican City, Switzerland, Cambodia, Laos, Viet-Nam, United Nations, Ireland, Canada, World Refugee and Ghana have already appeared in this series, many others will follow. Printed on ledger stock, in three ring binders, these albums are fully illustrated, and have a space for every major variety of the country listed in the Minkus New World Wide Stamp Catalog and in addition the World Wide Catalog number is indicated in each space. The stories behind the stamps are included in each album. The albums are priced from $3.50 to $6.00 each. Annual Supplements available.

COMPLETE INDIVIDUAL COUNTRY ALBUMS:(In 2 post binders.)

The Minkus series of "single country" albums, introduced within the last couple of years has been expanded so that it is now possible to acquire a "single country" album for almost all of the major nations of the world. These albums furnish spaces for every major listing in the Minkus "World Wide Postage Stamp Catalog" as described in the following chapter. The albums are loose-leaf and the pages are printed on one side of the page only. They are profusely illustrated and each space provides a description of the stamp together with the proper Minkus catalog number. Annual supplements are issued to keep the albums up to date. The tremendous popularity of these albums has induced the publishers to continually expand the series which eventually will run to as many as fifty different albums. Presently available are albums for Austria, Belgium & Colonies, British Africa, British America, British Asia, British Europe, British Oceania; Colombia, Panama, & Canal Zone, Czechoslovakia, France, French Colonies (2 volumes), Germany, Greece. Also Independent Nations of Africa, Italy, Italian Colonies, Japan, Luxembourg, Monaco-Andorra, Netherlands & Colonies, Poland, Portugal & Colonies, Scandinavia & Baltic Countries, Tunisia, Libya & Morocco, Turkey and Yugoslavia.

Still others are in the making. The albums vary in price according to the number of pages involved prices ranging from as little as $4 to $11 per volume.

SCOTT PUBLICATIONS

United States Albums (all 2 post binders)

NATIONAL ALBUM: One space for each U. S. stamp listed in Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue, illustrated, catalog number in each space. Yearly supplements. This book contains spaces for U. S. embossed envelope stamps and U. S. revenue stamps, priced about $12.00.

AMERICAN ALBUM: Spaces for U. S. stamps, including revenues and embossed envelopes, yearly supplements, illustrated Scott catalogue numbers in each space. Priced about $5.00 (is condensed version of National Album).

WORLD WIDE ALBUMS

INTERNATIONAL ALBUM:

Three Volumes:

Vol. 1-1840-1940
Vol. II- 1941-1949
Vol. Ill- 1949-1955
Vol. IV- 1956-1960

Spaces for about 75,000 stamps (in all four volumes), Scott Catalogue numbers only in United States section.

SPECIALTY SERIES: This is a series of loose-leaf albums, printed on one side of the page only providing spaces for the world's postage stamps as listed in Scott's Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue. The Albums are sold in units each embracing a group of related countries. The entire series of Scott Specialty Albums con- sists of 24 titles. The layout of pages, and general production is excellent.

WASHINGTON PRESS PUBLICATIONS: White Ace line of albums and pages.

A group of pages featuring colorful headings and borders on heavy paper punched for standard three ring binders. Special binders available for the various sets of pages for which annual supplements are issued. In addition to the colorful heads and borders the pages provide historical notes for each stamp or set of stamps. The series comprises United States commemorative stamps in singles, blocks of 4 and plate number blocks. U. S. regular issues as well as albums for special groups of stamps including, U. S. Presidential series, airmails, "Duck Stamps", Champions of Liberty, George VI Coronation, British Peace and Victory issues, Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Tour, Canada, Europa, Ghana, Ireland, United Nations, Ryukyus, Vatican City, Israel, etc. A very popular series of albums designed for those who desire illuminated pages to set off their stamps.

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