This  is a stamp in a

Showgard Stamp Mount

Showgard mounts are the finest that money can buy. They're

• Safer: Showgard's special foil is the only foil proven safe in philatelic use for over 40 years in every climate of the world. It's made according to an exclusive formula and is guaranteed to be acid free and free of plasticizer.
• Stronger: By actual micrometer measurement other mounts are flimsier and offer less support than Showgard mounts.
• More Secure: Stamps are positively kept from slipping off center by two parallel retaining seams. Stamps are securely held even if they are 2mm smaller or 1/2mm larger than the Showgard size.
• More Versatile: Showgard mounts may be arranged either horizontally or vertically and the stamp will not fall out. Curled stamps can be made to lie flat.

How do I know which size Showgard mounts to use?

While we list recommended Showgard mounts for many common stamp varieties, keeping up with all of the different possibilities is impractical. It's also unnecessary because Showgard's product numbering system makes it so easy for you to determine which mount is appropriate for any stamp or block. Here's how it works:

• Get a ruler marked in millimeters. (If you're unwilling to deal with simple direct metric measurements, go put your head back in the sand. You have just self-limited your life.)
• Measure your stamp's or block's height and width in millimeters.
• Showgard precut mounts are sized in the format width/height. For example, stock number SHOJV25/40 is for stamps 25mm wide by 40mm tall. Ignore the letters like JV between the SHO and the numerical size on some stock numbers. They are a vestige of an old sizing system and are not significant.
• Showgard strips are sized by height in millimeters. For example, SHO27 strips are for stamps 27mm tall.
• There. That's all there is to it. Wasn't so bad, now, huh?

Using Showgard Mounts

It's as easy as 1-2-3