Ep. 28 - Stamp Albums: Cheap, Free, and Do-It-Yourself. Part 1

A look at web sites where stamp collectors can down load cheap and/or free stamp album pages to print at home. Some of these albums surpass in quality even the finest commercial products on the market. Below are the links to the web sites mentioned in the video.
Note: This is part 1, covering cheap and free album pages. Part 2, covering do-it-yourself album page creation programs, will be uploaded soon.
To join the American Philatelic Society:
stamps.org/
Steiner Pages
www.stampalbums.com/
Czeslaw Slania
www.hipstamp.com/listing/czes...
A Stamp for Every Country
stamps.org/Portals/0/albums/S...
APS Albums
stamps.org/stamp-albums
Mostly Classics (US)
www.mostlyclassics.net/album_p...
Mystic Heritage Stamp Hacks
stamphacks.com/wp/
US Airmails
www.americanairmailsociety.org...
US Pre-Cancels
www.precancels.com/free-albums/
France & Territories/Other Countries
www.album.france-timbres.net/
Pierre’s Worldwide
tim.mond.free.fr/listepays/lis...
Countries Worldwide
www.filaposta.com/album/
Latin America and some others
www.albumdeestampillas.com.ar/...
Dead Countries
www.dcstamps.com/
Brasil
sites.google.com/site/brstamp/
Costa Rica (Steiner pages)
www.socorico.org/albumpages.php
United Kingdom
www.gbstampalbums.co.uk/
Great Britain Machins
adminware.ca/machin/m_album.htm
Iceland 1873-1944
www.mostlyclassics.net/album_p...
Italy/San Marino/Vatican
www.ibolli.it/php/album_index...
Tryzub Ukraine Album
stamphacks.com/wp/

[@prodromosandreou108]

Hello Ted from Cyprus. Thank you very much for your interesting and useful information. I was impressed when I hear you speaking polish. I am a Cypriot with polish roots from the side of my mother (born in Krakow, relatives in Bielsko, Zywiec). Stay healthy and positive. Thank you!

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you very much. My father was Polish and my mother was German, but sadly I picked up neither language.

[@shamzie12]

I LOVE your shows Ted! Thank you so much! God Bless!

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thanks for the kind words, Shamzie.

[@mallardstamps]

Great video with great resources in the description! Thanks for doing all the leg work to get the info all in one place!

[@tedtalksstamps]

My pleasure, Daniel.

[@RichardPhilatelist]

A lot of helpful information, look forward for part 2!

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thanks Richard. I hope to get part 2 up in the next day.

[@stevenlaboe3585]

Ted, you've knocked it out the park with this one, buddy. Your videos, once again, prove to be a cornucopia of enlightenment for anyone who wishes to improve their philatelic album pursuits. Great job! :-)

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thanks so much, Steven. Your words are greatly appreciated.

[@bevaroni27]

AWESOME! Exactly what I needed. You have done a lot of beneficial work and have graciously shared It with us. I’m planning on using the many free album pages as graphic design examples for the pages I plan to create.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you. I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@Brunorcas]

Thank you very much! That’s what I’ve been looking for around the internet!

[@tedtalksstamps]

I’m glad you found it helpful.

[@BigPongus]

I loved your impression of the Steiner pages. Great video

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you, Eoghan. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@carloslizzelaya]

Great job on researching all the options. Looking forward to the DIY video.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thanks, Carlos. The DIY video should be up in the next day or two.

[@pascoalrossi4703]

congratulations on the video and thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with us Waiting for the second part :) greetings from Brazil

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you very much, Pascoal. I should have part 2 up in the next day or 2.

[@sallyholtz6790]

Thank you so much for the videos, I'm new...and love the stamps but not the idea of buying expensive albums. Also, enjoy the philosophy of BobCollects Stamps because I just enjoy the stamps and am not a 'serious' collector. Already your advice here is so helpful--like the polyproplyne!!! I find I already have clear notebook inserts in my stationery drawer that I can use for sheets. You're so knowledgeable and so good at explaining, and so pleasant to watch. I look forward to watching more of your old videos.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you so much for the kind words, Sally. I have one more Top-10 video to go, to finish off my series, then I will be starting a comprehensive series of videos on the basics of stamp collecting. Hope you’ll join me.

[@byronsbrain]

Thanks Ted this is so helpful, I had no idea there were so many album pages available! (love the impression:)

[@tedtalksstamps]

Ha-ha. Thanks, Karen.

[@anthonyalongi3432]

Superb topic and video! Never knew that most of these existed. Gotta say, I'm kind of intrigued with the Stamp from Every Country pages. Seems to be an interesting challenge and a way to study and pick one single favorite from each country. Keep up the great work Ted! Really enjoying your channel. Between you and Graham over at Exploring Stamps you have really rekindled a long dormant interest in philately. One tiny positive of the pandemic, I suppose!

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thanks for your comments, Anthony. I am interested in the Every Country album, also, and will be starting on it soon.

[@johnsimper6578]

Super video as always Ted. I love the idea of putting my collection onto pages like that, and I will get round to doing it at some point. I might try out some different styles to see which looks best.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you John.

[@le_med]

I predict this video will be very popular. Thanks for the list

[@tedtalksstamps]

And thank you for watching.

[@LawrenceCurrie]

Thank you Sir, very informative as always.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you, Lawrence.

[@aaronbock9160]

Very informative show I will check out all the sites

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thanks, Aaron.

[@ilovemycats3392]

great video :) i’m 15 and trade postcards from around the world, i collect used stamps from all countries by cutting them out of the envelopes i receive

[@tedtalksstamps]

That's great essie. This is a wonderful hobby, and I'm sure you will grow to love it more and more over the coming years.

[@ashwinidesai]

Enjoyed as well as learned !!

[@suwandajunaida1461]

Tq Ted, for your information and great video, love it from Malaysia 🇲🇾

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you very much, Suwanda.

[@patriziogenna4824]

wonderful video, interesting and funny!!!

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you very much, Patrizio. I appreciate your watching.

[@1153jpm]

Great work. Thank you!

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you, Jagath.

[@sheldonsimonis4236]

Your impression was classic!

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you.😁

[@bramdebruijn3967]

Another great video Ted! It’s very comprehensive. Sadly, i just purchased my first lindner illustrated album for Norway last week... The prices of pre-printed albums from the major issuers are quite high. For my next country, whenever that will be, I’ll definitely consider one of the pages mentioned in this video. Great video, have a nice weekend!

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you, Bram. I envy your having a Lindner album.

[@Azerrr001]

Ted i love your videos i wish you more subscribers and thanks for the album ideas.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you, DarthAzer. I appreciate the kind words.

[@thatdadguy1974]

Great video. Lots of good information

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thanks, Guy.

[@AndyP126]

Nice to see my site featured in your video!

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you for all the great work you do, and making it available to collectors.

[@AndyP126]

@@tedtalksstamps I find designing album to be quite enjoyable. Getting descriptions for stamps is sometimes less than fun. But there's a lot of satisfaction is finishing a supplement and releasing it. I'm behind on 2020. Need to order stamps from Ukraine.

[@tedtalksstamps]

@@AndyP126 I know what you mean. I am learning AlbumEasy and find a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction in creating the page I want.

[@johncollectsstamps]

This is a great video Ted. As a GB collector, I am putting together specialist collections, and none of the commercial albums provide what I want, or they are ridicously expensive. Currently, I use Stock Books, as this gives me flexibilty, but I am looking at designing my own pages using mounts in the future. Thanks for the in-depth research into this subject.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thanks John. For creating your own pages I highly recommend the free Album Easy program: www.thestampweb.com/albumeasy Easy to learn and very flexible.

[@artydale]

I get my stamp album pages here in Australia from a place called stamping paws. They are well set out and my collection looks great on them. I use stamp mounts and print the pages onto parchment paper.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Sounds great, Arthur. Thanks for watching.

[@John.Crowther]

i like your reaction lying on the floor ;) more jokes like that in future videos plz

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thanks, Hans.

[@Golfnut_2099]

Steiner Pages are AWESOME!!!!! The main thing to remember is to print the pdf at original size. If not, the boxes will be too small for the stamps.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Good point. Thanks for watching.

[@seymourmaupin6395]

Good stuff, I'm 40 in a wheel chair and collecting stamps is really fun. I had to get tweezers and my loving wife helps me and my daughter thinks it's fun. We collect ussr stamps.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Philately is such a great activity for bridging the generation gap. It's nice to hear your family enjoys this activity together. Thanks for watching, Seymour.

[@RottingEarth]

I enjoyed this. Wasn't expecting your "impression!" 😂 I love the idea of a nice album layout especially the detailed German one, I've looked at it before debating buying it although I'm not a fan of hinging stamps. I've been toying with the idea of printing dates and possibly more info and trimming these to fit into my stockbooks and lay them out like these albums but I know it won't look anywhere near as nice as the albums. Just my thoughts. I'm looking forward to seeing part 2! Cheers Ted.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thanks, RE. The German album is no charge. I have issues with the use of stockbooks as albums. Sometimes the weld on the pocket comes loose, and even with fresh new books, stamps will move or fall out.

[@RottingEarth]

@@tedtalksstamps thanks Ted. I don't have a printer at home, must have thought it was just expensive lol. Memory isn't what it once was. I know stockbooks aren't the best for displaying which is why I haven't started that idea yet. Still undecided how to proceed with it all. I think a DIY album would be best and will also add a more personal touch. Maybe I could incorporate some custom pages to align with clear sheets with pockets to overlay each page, very restricted to the page layout this way though. It will also be a mammoth task getting all the stamp sizes correct so I'm extremely intrigued about part 2.

[@tedtalksstamps]

@@RottingEarth Well, you know what they say, "The memory is the 2nd thing to go." 😉

[@PostmasterGS]

Ted, thanks for the kind words!

[@tedtalksstamps]

You deserve all the thanks, PMGS.

[@219belizeman]

Steiner welcomes corrections, incorporates them in the pages and provides a link for corrected pages.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thanks for that information, Peter.

[@dotRllD]

Great video thanks, been looking at moving away from stockbooks.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thanks, Harch. And thanks for watching.

[@LucidFL]

thanks so much for this list

[@tedtalksstamps]

You're very welcome. Thanks for watching.

Muchas gracias. Thanks so much..love it

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you so much. 🙏🏼

[@vbian88]

I use lighthouse albums for my US collection. I am willing to pay top dollar because I like the quality of the pages, mounts, and binder.. If you wish to add a personal touch you can add lb pages with or without mounts. The biggest drawback is the lack of scott numbers. For the early high value stamps, it can be very tedious and confusing trying to figure out the SN. For my Guatemala collection I decided to split my collection into 2 parts. Part 1 is in a lighthouse album with lb pages. Part 2 is in a Palo album. In the near future I will post videos to illustrate.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Sounds good. 👍

[@renatomaselli2674]

Thank you very much for the information you shared on the video. I liked the Czeslaw Slania album resource. Do you know if there is available somewhere a Pierre Gandon album? He was a great French engraver.

[@tedtalksstamps]

I don’t know of one. That would be a nice one to have.

[@SnailmailwithSmokey]

Great Video Ted, I really learned a lot about album pages that I didn't know. I have never used a stamp album before, I have always kept my stamps in stock books and on stock pages but you have inspired me to give it a try. My question is how do I choose the correct size of stamp mounts for the stamps that I plan on putting in an album?

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thanks Smokey. If you are using pre-cut Showgard mounts, you just use the mount with the designated size matching your stamp dimensions (and measurements are always stated Horiz x Vert. So if you have a horizontal format stamp measuring 41mm across by 30mm high, use the mount labeled 41/30. You could use a mount designated 30/41, for a vertical format stamp, if you run out of 41/30, and I have done that. But there will be a noticeable difference in the appearance, if you mix them on one page, because in normal use, you see the mount welds along the top and bottom edges, and using the V mount on a H stamp will have the welds on the left and right edges. Not a terrible look, but bothersome if you are a stickler for uniformity. When using Showgard strips which you then cut to size for each stamp, you will also need to get a mount cutter with a mm scale on the platten. You use the mount size that corresponds to the vertical dimension of your stamp (don’t try to allow for the mount margin around the stamp; Showgard already accounts for that in the size designation). You then measure the width of your stamp and cut the strip 3 to 4 mm wider, so you get side margins that match the top and bottom margins. However, on older stamps there can be slight variations in the stamp dimensions of the same set, due to the less precise perforating processes then. What I do with strips is, instead of measuring the width of the stamp, I measure the width of the stamp box on the album page, and cut the mount to that width. Then the page looks uniform, with equal sized mounts even if there may be a stamp or two with slight larger or smaller margins within their mounts. I hope this helps.

[@SnailmailwithSmokey]

@@tedtalksstamps Thank you Ted for all the information!

[@tedtalksstamps]

@@SnailmailwithSmokey You’re very welcome.

[@Turtlehands]

You can also use Microsoft Excel and make your own pages. I had a few templates made but I don't know what I did with them.

[@tedtalksstamps]

I use Excel for my topical pages, where I don't know the stamp layout ahead of time, and just add stamps as I get them. I make a title page with an image, and put a faint gray dot grid across the body of the page as a guide for positioning the stamps.

[@robertoantunes7947]

Show vídeo Ted !

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you, Roberto.

[@knutgut1]

I like the Dead Countrys to collect.Mostly all peculiarities of the stamps are explored.And so i can see the finish line😁and this is for me an great motivation.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Are you aware Iceland is now a dead country? They have ceased production of postage stamps as of Oct 2020.

[@knutgut1]

@@tedtalksstamps are you kidding me?Why? But if, its a good question.Its for me not a dead country more a undead one😁

[@tedtalksstamps]

@@knutgut1 They said because mail volume is too low to cover production costs. I wonder, though, does everyone have to go to the post office, now, to mail a letter? Seems to me, that would further discourage the use of mail service. So they are just shooting themselves in the foot.

[@knutgut1]

@@tedtalksstamps yes,total agree with you.The costs to make stamps are not so expensive.I can understand that a country change a little bit.Its only an example from me,but instead of printing 50 different stamps with 10.000 pieces,they can print 15 with 50.000 pieces.Thats cheaper.Not so many artist to pay and higher edition times means normaly much lower costs.To buried the stamps from your country is for me to buried a part of your culture and history

[@seandolan8502]

Great video! My only issue- It was broken up by four sets of commercials

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you, Sean.

[@chriswhitehouse8982]

I like to convert my Steiner pages into PowerPoint format. Then I can easily change the font, add additional text and historical photographs/maps, etc. to make a very nice presentation exactly the way I want it.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Sounds great! Thanks for watching.

[@johnheigis83]

Hi. I inherited an old, messy, stamp collection, that was put together by the family of a Army Air Corps (transport) Pilot, from every letter he sent home. He flew into Countries, all over the world, and sent letters from all of them... before, during and after WWII. In it, for instant: I found a Hitler stamp, that was printed on the back of maps (or so, the accompanying note states!). (That one bothers me, and I'd prefer to be rid of it, for a price, to anyone wanting such a thing! ). He flew the "Berlin Airlift", too! No doubt, it is valuable, as a whole package / album. And, there are quite a few stamps, throughout the crumbling pages, in an 80yrs (?) "ancient" album. Since, throughout my kid years, I found, or was just given, or just ended up with, various "artifacts, of Canadian Royal Air Force, that also seem to match with him; or, maybe, father and son were both pilots, maybe, in different Air Forces, like one in the US, and one in Canada? (Like a silk lined "billfold", like one 007 would slip into his inner jacket pocket. And, I still have the clamshell type outer case, of what used to be an Officers travel clock, (exactly like the one you will see, in the old BW WWII movie, "The Dam Buster's". I may even, still have the guts to it. Hard to say, but, humph!). Anyway, you could say, I would really appreciate your help. I need someone I can trust; and, MY guts tell me, that's you! (I trust my instincts! Semper Fidelis!). To continue... I know, one of them, or maybe, the only one, (in his last years), started writing short stories, about his experiences. In fact, as a kid, living with my Grandparents; and, while sitting in, and listening to them sharing old times, during his one brief visit... that I suggested he should write them all. He responded, with a, "Humph!"; especially, after his brother (my Gramps) quickly nodded his head in confirmation, and then spoke words in agreement... That he was really good, and always had been, at telling stories well, and with accuracy, and intense detail. Stories like; The times they rode into a Wyoming town, on a Saturday night, and needing to be extra careful to avoid the quicksand, as they cross the (Red?) river!" He was an awesome story teller; and, between him, and my Grandfather, they had incredible stories, about them growing up, live the ranch lives of a John Wayne Western! I think, he managed to publish a couple books. ( If memory serves!). Anyway, I hope to hear from you. ([e-mail]). Thanks, John

[@tedtalksstamps]

Hi John, I don’t appraise collections, myself, but I can refer you to Michael Dodd of the IPDA (Internet Philatelic Dealers Association). He will be glad to help you. Contact him at cddstamps at gmail.

[@johnheigis83]

@@tedtalksstamps Hi, Thank you, very much. I'll try to keep you informed.

[@tedtalksstamps]

@@johnheigis83 Thanks.

[@michaeljaska3331]

Great video. Can you tell me what type of paper yo use for your album pages and where it might be found?

[@tedtalksstamps]

I use the Staples store brand Premium Ivory Laser Printing Paper, found, interestingly enough, at Staples. Some people prefer a thicker stiffer card stock, but, for me, this paper is the perfect weight and has a very nice surface texture.

[@alunarcher4110]

Great video, Ted. A quick question. What paper stock/weight do you use to print out the stamp album pages?

[@tedtalksstamps]

A lot of collectors recommend card stock of 160g weight. I’ve used it , and I really don’t care for that heavy card feel. I’ve settled on Staples brand Ivory Premium Laser Paper at 120g. For me it has the perfect combination of weight, feel, surface texture (it has a smooth, but not glossy, finish), and color.

[@anthonyalongi3432]

@@tedtalksstamps Was just about to ask the same question. Good to know. Thanks.

[@NisargSutaria]

Awesome :-)

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thanks, Nisarg.

[@kennethknapp849]

thanks Ted

[@tedtalksstamps]

You’re welcome.

[@michaelrezendes5255]

have you tried philosatalian stamp album and what are your inpressions?

[@tedtalksstamps]

I looked at them briefly. They appeared to be very similar to Steiner pages. You’ve given me an idea, that I should do some stand-alone videos for the various websites, giving detailed reviews of their pages. Thanks for your comment.

[@jameslowe3279]

Just to let you know ur vids are great and appreciated I'm in the process of creating my own handwritten stamp album my first country being ARGENTINA what it dose is the first bagel gives postal history then I draw out the pages with stamp info in year order so if I get new stamps I can add a page or put additional stamps to already written out pages. So far so good. What is your email I can share examples what I've done so far

[@tedtalksstamps]

Sounds great. I am at [e-mail]

[@user-lv4lb2gp8n]

What kind of paper do you use to print your albums?

[@tedtalksstamps]

I use this paper. www.staples.com/staples-25-cotton-fine-laser-paper-ivory/product_703366

[@dwaynebagley173]

I laughed out loud at your impression of the Steiner pages. Thanks for the video and your approach to the hobby. PS: The Smithsonian uses the same format offered on its free "A Stamp for Every Country" album in its exhibit of worldwide stamps.

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thank you, Dwayne. I appreciate it.

[@Robertbrown08049]

Ted, I need pages for 1) Cuba post embargo, 2) Indonesia Vienna Issues, 3) North Korea, 4) Tanna Tuva. Do you know any places for these?

[@tedtalksstamps]

I recall while looking up sites for this video that I came across one with Tuva. I can't find it among my list now. I didn't come across the others on any free sites. Steiner is your only option for those.

[@Robertbrown08049]

@@tedtalksstamps I refuse to buy all of Cuba and Indonesia to get the pages for what Scott did not recognize until 50 years later. When I bought my album 30 some years ago I had one page, on one side was Mongolia and on the back was Tuva. I later bought Mongolia pages and PRC (which was not included) but could not find Tuva. If you find Tuva please let me know. I will check Steiner. Thanks

[@dennyunnikrishnan4931]

Where can I get Afghanistan stamp album pages

[@tedtalksstamps]

At worldcollector.eu/ you can download a free stamp collecting database that also creates albums.

[@BobCollectsStamps]

Great as always, but I think your impression could be better because you rotated.

[@tedtalksstamps]

I had the accent down pretty well, didn't I?

[@BobCollectsStamps]

@@tedtalksstamps Absolutely. Just enough tilt.

[@robertoperezcatalan3043]

👏☺👍

[@tedtalksstamps]

Thanks, again, Roberto.

[@Eric-rf6te]

5:02 LOL 😝😝😝😝😝😝

[@tedtalksstamps]

😁

[@Eric-rf6te]

@@tedtalksstamps Just brilliant! I keep LOL just by thinking about it hahaha

[@patd.3836]

Stamp organizations

[@user-mu6yj5fr2s]

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