Hawid block mounts

Clear stamp mounts are ideal for e.g. organising pre-printed (illustrated) pages. By contrast, the stamp mounts featuring a black backing film highlight the stamp’s perforated edge, showcasing the actual stamp.

Hawid stamp mounts - all the benefits at a glance:

• Years of experience in the production of stamp mounts
• "Made in Germany" quality label
• Extensive range of stamp mounts
• Hold the stamps securely in place, thank to the strong seam
• Maximum protection against sticking and discolouration, from dust and moisture
• Material: 100% polystyrene - free from plasticisers, acid, stabilisers
• Anti glare coating to prevent irritating light reflections
• Specially gummed on the back of the film (simply moisten and stick)

About HAWID

The history of Hawid appears, at first glance, like one of many success stories, where a resourceful inventor and visionary entrepreneur created an economic miracle from the ruins of history post World War II and laid the foundations for the quality seal "Made in Germany". However, Hans Widmaier's creation in Berlin in 1945 went on to revolutionise one of the oldest hobbies of the world.

Widmaier was not only an engineer, he was also a passionate stamp collector. Indeed, his hobby was so important to him that Widmaier used his skills to find a solution to a personal collecting problem: Hans Widmaier wanted nothing less than the best possible protection for his stamp collection.

He pondered - there must be a way to protect these stamps. He had encountered polystyrene plastics whilst working for Siemens, as it was used to protect submarine cables. After all, if this material was able to withstand pressure in the depths of the ocean, it was sure to work just underneath the earth's surface

An idea coming to life: Widnaier buried his stamps - wrapped up in polystyrene film - in the ground. And the result of this experiment was nothing less than sensational: the stamps survived their time in the earth fully unscathed. The idea of perfectly protecting stamps had been born. After some initial obstacles and expensive pioneering work, the Hawid stamp mounts® began their triumphant march around the world. They can be found in every well kept stamp collection and have been an integral item within the Leuchtturm range for many decades.

When the Hawid stamp mount celebrated its 75th anniversary, change was on the horizon: the company - Hawid Has Widmaier GmbH  ceased activity. This news caused a great stir in the world of philately. Even though alternatives had been around for a long time, many collectors remained loyal to the traditional brand with the eye in its logo. Consequently, it came as a relief when Ingrid Widmaier, the daughter of the founder and long-standing director of Hawid, agreed Leuchtturm Gruppe to acquirring the brand.

Since September 1st 2021, the philatelic legacy of Hans Widmaier has been continued by Leuchtturm in the form of the popular Hawid stamp mount. The stamp mounts are made of polystyrene film (PS), which is pH-neutral and does not contain plasticisers. This extensive range comprises strips, block mounts and pre-cut mounts. The stamp mounts are available with either a black or a clear backing. Besides the stamp mounts, you will also find a stamp mount cutter for cutting mounts to the size required, a special adhesive to affix the stamp mounts onto the album pages as well as a glue pen to adhere two sheets.

Leuchtturm and Hawid have worked together for decades. Leuchtturm started to use the Hawid stamp mounts for its illustrated albums back in the sixties and continued to do so until it set up its own production of stamp mounts. As a result of its own global distribution relationships, Leuchtturm ensed that Hawid was well known in all relevant philatelic markets.

Consequently, it was an honour for the market leader based in Geesthacht to maintain Hawid for stamp collectors throughout the world. Kurt Stürken, Senior Partner, was especially pleased when he signed the contract with Ingrid Widmaier back in 2021: "Birds of feather, flock together"

Source: Leuchtturm