Album Review: United States Albums

Very interesting. National Archives and Records Administration. What a perfect place to be around for a stamp collector. Yes, It seems like I heard about this freezer and mold thing.

May I ask you if you wouldn't mind?: So, if I were to go the route of printing from some of your pages, say, you'd recommend 32 lb, 100% cotton, and what is it that you get exactly? Is it Finch? What color, or product? I ask because there must be many different finishes, shades, etc.

Good Morning Baker

I have been using Southworth paper that is 25% Cotton 24lb for about 15 years now and I have been very happy with it. Because of the volume of pages that I print it is affordable. I do believe that Southworth also has 100% cotton paper.

Dianne

I buy Southworth 100% Cotton Ivory Resume Paper:

http://www.southworth.com/specialty...up=57&ID=239



But if you want an exact match to the Mystic pages, buy their blank pages. I include a PDF without borders in my downloads for people that want to use Mystic paper.

Good Morning Dianne,

Thanks. I can see your point. Both the lower cotton, and lighter weight would mean savings. 15 years is pretty good field testing, I'd say.

I'm no expert on paper, but as far as I see Southworth says all their paper is acid free, so that's good; it won't slowly "burn-up." I believe that the 25% cotton would result in a less durable paper, and weight would probably factor in to that as well. Research tells me that 25% cotton is "archival." But, the durability may suffer due to incorporation of wood fibers.

100% cotton would be more top of the line in durability, resist tearing, etc. 24# vs 32#? As a frame of reference, Mystic claims they are using 70# paper in the American Heirloom Standard Album.
They are likely referring to a "text weight." That would be 28 bond/70 text. This would be why apastuszak's 32/80 would be heavier. I think you're using a 24/60 which would actually be lighter than the Heirloom paper.

But if your paper has been serving you well for 15 years, the worst that would happen is that a page might tear or abrade, and it could be replaced.

@ apastuszak,
Thanks!

I may have to go for the Standard Heirloom. (still not sure what Mystic's doing with their "HLM000" Standard version with more volumes, and whether it's better.)
-Hingeless will not allow some page-hacks.
-However, Standard apparently will hide Scott numbers after mounting, but I may have to live with that.

baker,
More info here https://stampsmarter.org/learning/H...sePaper.html
Don

Standard does indeed hide Scott numbers, which is really annoying.

Baker

I should have mentioned that I don't use mounts. All my stamps are hinged.

Dianne

@ Don,

Thanks - very informative! And nice website too!

@ Dianne,

Hinged, well that's different then in terms of page weight and supporting regular mounts. I'd like to use mounts for any stamp

Well, I went with the Standard Heirloom. Everyone on this forum has been extremely helpful with info! Thank you for that! This seems like a friendly forum, and I do like my forums friendly! The Hingeless Heirloom is very nice, but for a variety of reasons, many as discussed, I'm going to try the Standard.

I do have some information to share in case anyone is unaware and is interested. Maybe it will help someone. I spoke to Mystic, to clarify a few things:

1. DS112 vs M8104:
I was about to order the DS112 set for $78.95. But the person who I was speaking to told me that the M8104 is the exact same set, but includes some stamps. This one is $59.95. I had passed over that one somehow. I was well confused then. "Really?", I asked. But yes, she said they always recommend this package whenever someone wants the DS112 because it's less expensive, and is the same, (and includes 200 used.) I figured, hey, sounds like some savings. I don't know what the stamps are but does it matter?

2. The HLM Series:
Then I wanted to learn more about the "HLM" series, with the expanded number of volumes. Again, the content is the same I was told, but there are more volumes. Apparently this will make it easier for those people who only want a certain period to buy just that volume(s). I guess this makes sense. But for me, right now looking at HLM000 which is sort of apples-to-apples with DS112/M8104, the HLM000 (Vols 1-6) sells for $129.95.

3. A move from the DS to the HLM sometime in the future:
This made me wonder what was going on with the DS and HLM, and when I asked, sure enough, the rep told me that there were plans in the next year (?) to discontinue the "DS" line in favor of the "HLM" series. Then I guess you could add volumes later of HLM as needed. Personally I will make that work because I didn't want to pay $129.95 for the HLM000 6 volume when I could get the M8104(DS112) for only $59.95, same material, but only 3 binders.

Hello apastuszak,

If you see this, I was looking into PMGS-SAPG for Scribus. I'm learning how to use it. One thing I can't figure out: You seem to have added a double border around the whole page to match up to the format of the Heirloom pages. I can't see anything that controls this in either the SAPG, or in Scribus. Any tips on how you did this?
Thanks!

If you go to his pages https://stamphacks.com/wp/?page_id=14 you can download a scribus source file that mimics the Mystic one. If you send me your email I can send one to you as well as I have made Mystic look a likes in Scribus.

Hello Angore,

Thank you! I've searched starting with the link you provided, but I'm not seeing the file. Can you point me to it? Otherwise I'll provide an email address, here, I guess. (I am too new to the forum to be allowed to private-email.)

Admittedly, I am completely new to Scribus, so it's a bit of a learning curve.

Not good to post your email address.