Stamp hinges are round-cornered oblong pieces of tough, thin paper, gummed on one side and designed for the neat mounting of stamps in the album.  They were invented as long ago as the 1860s.  The careful use of good-quality hinges, which peel easily when required, leaving little or no trace on either stamp or album leaf, cannot be too strongly recommended.  Hinges are available in various sizes.  Some are sold folded read for use.  Another type is partly gummed on either side for use unfolded thus reducing the bulk in the album.
 
 

- R. J. Sutton 6th edition revised by K. W. Anthony
The Stamp Collector's Encyclopaedia

Published 1966

 Posted February 13, 2000

Editor's Note:  Stamp collectors find the present day hinges generally more tenacious than the truly peelable ones of yesteryear.  The Dennison brand hinges, no longer produced but sometimes found in older collections, are sought after by collectors as the best available.