When selecting the mount height select a height that does not “squash” the item in the mount. If need be select the next higher size. However, there are times that one has to use a mount with the split vertical to get the right size. I have never had an item fall out when using it this way. Below is shown the Showgard Philatelic Gauge # 609 for measuring mount height
If the gauge cannot be found, measure the height of the item in mm. If a stamp measure perf tip to perf tip. This should be the height required but again one may have to select the next higher size.
Mount Width
To cut a mount strip to length use a guillotine. Many styles and sizes are available and do an excellent job. For those guillotines that have a “ruler bar”, such as Showgard EXCAL guillotines, place the bar at the bottom of the “cutting board”. The guillotine directions show the bar at the top but I have found it more convenient to put it at the bottom. These cutters give the mount a nice clean look rather than raggedy edges that one may get using scissors. The cutters are a little expensive but they last for years. • For mounts that are larger than the capacity of the guillotine try to find the following HAWID item. It still exists and will help cutting larger mounts neatly:
To determine the width of the mount measure the stamp perf tip to perf tip in millimeters and add 3 mm to get the final width. The extra 3 mm tends to make the border around the item look equal since the 2 mount welds are almost 3 mm.
Never cut a mount with the stamp in the mount. An exception may be cutting larger mounts with the ruler cutter shown above as the ruler has a guideline.
Attaching the Mount To a Page
The most important “rule” of ALL: DO NOT moisten the mount with the stamp in the mount.
DO NOT LICK the mount. Moisture may creep in at the mount edges. Use a damp cotton swab like Q-Tip (may be called Cotton Bud outside the US).
Dip the swab in water and roll the swab in your fingers, or use some other method, to remove most of the water. The swab should only be damp. If using your fingers you may want a towel nearby to dry your fingers.
Apply a little moisture ONLY to the top third of the mount. You do not have to wet the entire back.
When applying moisture, use 2 or 3 dabs of the swab. If wetting the entire width, moisten from the middle of the mount to the left or right edge. This will reduce the chance of moisture creeping into the mount.
If moisture does creep in at an edge, take a small piece of torn paper and use the ragged paper edge as a “blotter”.
Attach the mount to the page.
Put the item into the mount ONLY after it is fully dried.
To insert the item place the item into the mount at the top and gently roll the mount bottom over the item bottom.
With large items you may want to put a dab of moisture at the bottom of the mount and press to the page. This prevents large mounts from “flapping in the breeze”
