Stamp hinges and mounts

What a stamp hinge is

Wikipedia describes hinges as "small, folded, transparent, rectangular pieces of paper coated with a mild gum." Mystic Stamp Company calls them glassine paper with water-activated adhesive; the American Philatelic Society adds that some are made of thin plastic.

Good hinges are peelable: once the gum has dried, they lift off the stamp and the page cleanly. Not every brand manages this, and a hinge that tears instead of releasing leaves a remnant stuck to the back of the stamp, the "hinge remaining" you see in auction descriptions.

How to hinge a stamp

• Fold the hinge with the gum on the outside, leaving one short flap and one long flap.
• Lightly moisten the lower half of the short flap and press it onto the back of the stamp, near the top.
• Moisten half of the long flap and position the stamp on the album page.
• Leave it alone until it is thoroughly dry. Mystic advises waiting at least 4 hours before trying to lift a hinge off.

Use as little moisture as possible. A soaked hinge can glue itself flat and stop working as a hinge.

Why collectors stopped hinging mint stamps

Since about the middle of the 20th century many collectors have preferred stamps that were never hinged. The APS explains the practical reason: "part of the gum will come off of the stamp if the hinge is removed." That mark turns a mint never hinged (MNH) stamp into a mint hinged one, and on stamps issued since 1940 buyers expect never hinged. See mint vs. used stamps for what the labels mean.

For used stamps none of this matters: they have no gum to protect, and Mystic says hinges are fine for them.

Stamp mounts

Mounts are small, clear plastic holders with a gummed back. The stamp slides inside and never touches adhesive. Mystic recommends a mount about 5 mm wider and taller than the stamp, and points out the trade-off between styles: bottom-weld mounts are easier to get stamps in and out of, while split-back mounts hold stamps more securely.

Mounts come in pre-cut sizes or long strips you trim yourself; brands such as Showgard sell cutters for the job. They cost more than hinges, so most collectors use them only for mint stamps worth protecting.

Stock books and glassines

A stock book has pages with clear strips that form pockets; stamps tuck in without hinges or mounts. The APS notes that stock books don't picture the stamps, so you can arrange them however you like. They are the easiest way to store a growing or unsorted collection.

For stamps waiting to be sorted, the APS suggests glassine envelopes. Its one firm rule: never use tape or glue on a stamp.