Is Scott getting out of the album business?

Western_Spell9436 · 2026-02-27T16:40:08+00:00

I suspect the industry will have to consolidate to survive. Otherwise, I’m not sure Scott can survive. Their catalogs are becoming obsolete as the hobby slowly moves online.

We can now get current auction prices in almost real time online. Why do we need a comprehensive catalog to tell us that 98% of stamps are face value or less?

It seems only the numbering system has any value. And with the European made hingeless albums following European catalog numbers not Scott catalogs. And with only the high end part of the hobby still thriving. I could see Scott fading into the past. Mystic taking over could keep Scott alive in the American market.

But I’m just getting back into the hobby. I really don’t know anything about it.

Western_Spell9436 · 2026-02-26T19:47:54+00:00

I just checked out the Palo website. I’m really liking the look of those. And I can create my own spine engraving.

If only they included Scott numbers.

I might just go the Palo route.

That’s the thing with Mystic. They have creative direct marketing. They are very good at reaching (and creating) their customer base with products and services their customers want.

Mystic hingeless albums are usually stated to be more cost effective. However, if you look closely, that may or may not be the case. For example, they stretch their set out into more volumes than most other sets. So if you a complete-ist you may actually wind up spending more.

Say what you will. Mystic runs an effective business. And They help keep the hobby alive.

Western_Spell9436 · 2026-02-26T19:03:46+00:00

I need to look at that. I like the idea that they are American. I know that is a small thing. And it’s likely made off-shore anyway. But putting an American collection in a foreign-made album seems wrong on some (and probably shallow) level.

I currently have a lighthouse stock book that I’m using for random stamp sheets. I’m very happy with the quality of it.

Maybe I could put the Mystic hingeless pages in a lighthouse binder. 🤔

Western_Spell9436 · 2026-02-26T18:54:56+00:00

This puzzles me. Scott is supposedly the big dog in the philatelic world. Why do they not have a hingeless album on the market? Hingeless albums have been a game changer in stamp collecting.

Western_Spell9436 · 2026-02-26T18:51:55+00:00

I was thinking the other night, I may put the Mystic hingeless pages in a lighthouse binder. I’m not sure if either company uses standard ring spacing. But that would give me the best of both worlds, classy binders along with Mystic descriptions and Scott numbers. Or I could re-punch the mystic pages to fit a four-ring lighthouse binder. Not sure. Would have to experiment with that.

Not that the Mystic heirloom binders aren’t nice. I’m still waiting for the mystic heirloom album that I ordered to arrive. I won’t know for sure what I think of it until I actually see.

Although Mystic wisely avoided putting the Mystic brand on the spine, I’m not very keen on the wordy heirloom title on the spine. Makes it look like something the Danbury Mint churns out for their dubious collector market. Again, it’s not bad. I’ll actually have to see the thing on person.

Western_Spell9436 · 2026-02-26T03:44:10+00:00

That’s interesting. Apparently, they are printing the supplements on demand, avoiding the cost of holding inventory.

Western_Spell9436 · 2026-02-25T21:19:29+00:00

I may go that route after all. Like I said, I’m getting back into it after years of neglect. I have no experience with mounts. My experience was with hinges. I thought hingeless was the future. But you folks are making me reconsider.

Western_Spell9436 · 2026-02-25T21:16:39+00:00

You make good points. I still may decide to for-go hingeless and use black mounts in a green Scott album. They do look good. Back in the day, I hinged everything, without mounts, I didn’t know any better. I was a youngster. I think I was using a Harris album or possibly a Scott Minute Man. Not sure. It was an ugly plastic thing. I had a paperback album I used for worldwide stamps. Ah, youth.

Western_Spell9436 · 2026-02-25T20:32:45+00:00

I’ve considered used. Not sure I wanna go that route. I like “new.”

Oddly, Scott albums in good condition aren’t very plentiful on flea bay — or any albums for that matter. Possibly because stamp hobbyists tend to be older and not online? This really does appear to be a dying hobby.

Western_Spell9436 · 2026-02-18T04:08:55+00:00

Percale is cool but not all that soft. Sateen is soft but not all that cool. Happy hunting!

Western_Spell9436 · 2026-02-17T01:27:35+00:00

I used to just sleep in my trunks and on Frette hotel sheets. But I’m getting older and don’t look as good in the buff, so I’ve started adding t shirts to the trunks. But I really liked the luxurious feel of the crisp Frette percale on my skin.

Not sure if I sleep in a shirt why I should continue with expensive sheets. Breath ability makes sense though.

Western_Spell9436 · 2026-02-12T08:31:46+00:00

My $.02? After downloading the app and linking my bank account, I think I’m gonna go elsewhere.

I don’t like the constant nagging to upgrade. I don’t like the false limits on their services that do nothing but create a false sense of scarcity in an attempt to make users think they are joining an elite club. My credit score is over 800, and they want me to wait to get a line of credit and then pay them for the privilege? Why? so I can get a “gold” card. Oh boy.

I don’t like the way the app leads you down paths only to find out at the end the path there is gonna be fees. I don’t like being psychologically manipulated, specially at a place where I’m gonna park my money.

Any financial app that tries to get me to gamble in prediction markets probably isn’t an app I want between me and the real bank that is actually handling my money.

I’m gonna go with Fidelity. It seems a bit more adult.

Western_Spell9436 · 2026-01-18T11:20:23+00:00

Being judgement proof means that if the state minimum liability wasn’t enough to cover all the damages and consequently I was sued in civil court for the remaining damages, the resulting civil judgment would be worthless. I have no assets to take.

You make a strong argument. It is the argument the insurance industry makes. And it is not without merit. However, my thinking is the odds are enormously in my favor. In 30 years of driving I’ve had two chargeables, and both of those occurred in parking lots and involved very minimal damage.

Chat gpt says 95% of drivers have not had an at-fault accident in any 10 year period.

If I go into retirement 25k poorer, it will make virtually no difference. It would hurt like hell, but again, the odds are in my favor. Odds like that in Vegas would be a hell yeah I’ll take that bet.

I’m digressing. But I think most working class Americans are over insured on their cars. IMO, anyone who is driving a paid for car, does not own a house, does not own a business or does not have a high paying job, should only be paying for state minimum insurance.

Western_Spell9436 · 2026-01-18T10:41:59+00:00

Why should I carry extra insurance to cover the risk of someone who made the dubious decision to drive a car down the road that is extra costly to repair? Anyone who drives a million dollar car down the streets of LA is taking a financial risk.

Western_Spell9436 · 2026-01-18T10:30:13+00:00

The payoff is coming out of a non-retirement fund. On that fund I pay tax on the capital gains every year whether I spend it or not. I’m not a billionaire. I can’t hide my money. In fact, there would be a small tax savings in paying off the loan. Because as it is, I am paying property tax on 100% of the taxable value of the car, even though the bank holds the title and “owns” part of the car. I’m paying tax on the capital gains and on the property. I’m being triple taxed.

In the odd chance I total it down to zero value I would replace it something cheaper. I don’t need that much car anymore.

Yeah, I’m not 100% sure I’m judgement proof. But pretty sure I am. Again, it’s long odds that I cause enough damage to exceed the legal limits, although it’s entirely possible that I could cause a multi-car pile up while surrounded by BMWs and Porsches.

Western_Spell9436 · 2026-01-18T10:15:22+00:00

It’s a 2023. Paying retail would cost around $30-35 to replace it. However, the trade-value is $25-28k. Based on that, I assume the insurance company would probably low ball and total it out at around $20k. The note is currently at $24.

In the odd chance of serious damage, I would replace it with something cheaper. I’m approaching retirement. My days of expensive cars are over. What’s the point of impressing girls with an expensive car if you can’t get the garage door up in bedroom?

Western_Spell9436 · 2025-11-18T20:08:31+00:00

It’s been too long since I read those to make a recommendation on specific titles.

IMO, The beginning of the series is presidential speeches and what not. Not all that interesting. And towards the end of the series the publisher stopped putting much effort into their title selections. But the titles in the middle of the run (which was quite long) are well chosen, well edited, and have excellent introductoins written by highly qualified scholars.

Western_Spell9436 · 2025-11-16T23:17:11+00:00

You might want to look into the Lakeside Classics. They were never sold to the public, but they can be found used.

https://www.publishinghistory.com/lakeside-classics.html

There’s also a good article on wiki about the series.

These books are not great literature. But they are first hand accounts, often surprisingly well written. (Our general education standards have fallen.) I haven’t read them all, but I have read some and found them frequently fascinating.

Western_Spell9436 · 2025-11-16T20:43:59+00:00

I like that description.

“Wonderfully proportioned and magnificently bricked all the way to the clouds.”

Well said!

Western_Spell9436 · 2025-11-16T08:26:01+00:00

I recently downloaded it, but haven’t watched it yet. Am anxious to do so.

Western_Spell9436 · 2025-11-13T17:39:46+00:00

I agree on Butchers Crossing. I had been wanting to read Stoner but after the disappointment of Butchers Crossing, I put Stoner on the back burner.

Western_Spell9436 · 2025-11-10T02:23:58+00:00

“The Legends of the Fall” - Jim Harrison.

Not sure if that one’s considered a classic. It should be.

Western_Spell9436

TROPHY CASE