Proper way to package stamps for mailing?

[vintagenorth]

Now I've sold the Unesco booklets what is the best way to package them? I don't have any glassine envelopes. Should I put them between cardboard pieces and then into a small zip-lock bag or should I place in the zip-lock bag first and then between the cardboard pieces. I will be mailing in a bubble envelope, that's all I have just now. BTW, I sold 9 and kept the rest. After all, I do need some postage stamps!

[cumos55]

Cardboard has a "grain"....  the ribbing that acts as a support of the two outer surfaces of the cardboard.

With two layers of cardboard, the grain, the ribbing, in one layer  must be perpendicular, at right angles,  to the second piece of cardboard...

This should prevent bending of the item between the two sheets of cardboard...

[recped]

Lick them if needed and carefully place them in the upper right corner of the bubble envelope.................

OK just kidding, two pieces of cardboard should do it but I would think that they should be placed inside something (a tiny baggie perhaps or home made "envelope" of clean paper).

No doubt there are special envelopes like what the post office used to hand out that the "pros" use.

Another thing you might be able to find easily are those plastic trading card protectors, I used to see them at Dollarama. Speaking of Dollarama they have quite a few things that can be re-purposed for packing material. Check the camping section for a "flexible cutting board" it's a nice piece of very stiff plastic that could be cut up into small pieces

[cumos55]

You can buy pages for books that hold photographs,  or postcards... for those collectors of photos and postcard.

Each section is about 4 inches x 6 inches...

There are also full pages ... plastic sleeves to hold pages 8.5 inches  x 11 inches....

For full pages or for collectable 8 x 10 photos..... or even for comics...

Some of the plastic pages are acid-free for collectables... 

I have found albums with plastic sleeves  measuring up to 11 inches x 14 inches... and there may be something out there for larger items....  that is larger pages...

Do not bend, spindle or mutilate.

Make sure your envelope cannot be bent in any manner...  post persons love to fold over large oversize envelopes  so that they can fit into a mailbox....   look at the size of individual mailboxes  in a community mailbox structure....

My last comment woke me up to the reality of all oversize lettermail, and how they get delivered.... house to house  and now all deliveries will be delivered  at a community mailbox structure...

[cumos55]

The pages referred to by me are all clear plastic pages..

[zee-chan-jpn-books]

I'd have sold the rest and just buy new stamps tomorrow! 😃

[pierrelebel]

How to package stamps?

KISS

If you have a kitchen bag sealer, simply seal the small booklet in plastic.

If not, a small plastic bag properly sealed with adhesive tape will do.

Attach with adhesive tape the sealed booklet to one piece of stiff cardboard.  That should keep the overall weight to under 30g.

Insert in small (regular) #8 envelope with the  cardboard facing the front of the envelope (this is where Canada Post high speed cancelling machine will hit the envelope).

Lick or affix a stamp and mail.

Do not use a bubble envelope.  It raises your costs and offers ZERO additional protection.

[pierrelebel]

I am curious.

You listed your booklets in US$.

Where (country) did they sell?

[ricarmic]

Vintage, if you plan to use some of the booklets for postage, just use the "correct" stamps, keep the 2 error stamps (ie leave them on the pane with the other stamp missing that you used for postage) and sell them as just the error stamp, that way you get the best of both worlds..... others are doing the same, you'll get less but still a lot more than the $1.20 (sell each page with only one error stamp on it separately).

[vintagenorth]

Hi Pierre, most sold to Alberta, a couple to the U.S., one to Ontario.

[vintagenorth]

Ric, thanks for the suggestion. I was also thinking that I might use one on the envelope when I mail the booklets to the winning buyers. Will have to think more about that though.

[ricarmic]

Hi Vintage! Putting them on envelopes will most certainly make the buyer very happy because postally used copies will be rare and quite worthwhile (aka $$$).

However, also be aware that putting one on the outside of the envelope increases the risk that the envelope gets "lost" en-route - especially as word gets out that these things are worth $$$ the odds increase that someone steals it one the way because the stamp on the envelope is worth at least $15-20 just because it is the error stamp and it is used. I myself would not put one on the envelope for that reason. I am actually quite careful what stamps go on what envelopes to various countries....

[pjcdn2005]

I have to ask....why wouldn't you sell them all and buy more stamps that are only worth face value?

[vintagenorth]

You're right of course, pj. Don't know what I was thinking - must be the heat! This whole thing started because I had to buy high denomination stamps at the PO since I couldn't find any discount postage ones online. Guess I'll have to list some more this evening.

[pierrelebel]

"...since I couldn't find any discount postage ones online."

Unfortunately, I have not found the time since we moved earlier this year to prepare and list on eBay those small "below face value" lots.

Most of the surplus postage is being sold in larger $1,000+ lots directly to dealers and businesses.  I will soon finally run out of the excess postage.

I have been "retired" for several years now and it's time to take it easier!

[vintagenorth]

Pierre I missed one nice lot by just 39 cents on Sunday. My fault for not paying attention, too busy listing stamp booklets!

Let me know if you do decide to list any small lots of discount postage.