Stockbooks are groups of stockpages that have been bound into a book. Stockpages are pages that can be used singly or in groups in a looseleaf binder. Each page contains rows of slots for stamps. Stockcards are index size cards with slots for storing stamps.

Stockbooks are used for storage. They can be used for short-term storage and for long-term storage.

As a staging area for your collection, stockbooks are very useful. Here one simply allocates certain pages for certain albums; and as material is acquired, it is gathered on the appropriate page until the time comes for it to be mounted. Stockbooks can also be used to accumulate material that is labor intensive in its processing. As an example, the 1948 buildings issue of Germany comes in two gauges of perforation each of which comes in two types, and it also has a watermark that comes in four orientations. One could simply identify each stamp in this series as they are acquired, but it is much easier to stick them somewhere until a bunch have accumulated, and then sort and identify them. This is a much more efficient way to deal with them. Storing them in a stockbook sorted by value allows you to let them accumulate until there are enough to sit down and spend an evening dealing with them. Another short-term use for stockbooks is for storing stamps you cannot identify. This allows you to keep them in one place so that when the opportunity for help comes along you will know where all the problems are. Stockbooks can be used for laying out a collection or an exhibit. They allow you to move the stamps around at will until you achieve the layout you wish or until you get all that you can. This use is especially handy for people who make their own albums.

Stockbooks make great albums for limited numbers of stamps, and you don�t need mounts. However, they are too expensive to use for albums on a large scale. If you have a small collection of something you really like, a stockbook might be the answer if a commercial album is not what you want. Stockbooks are also very useful for the long-term storage of small collections of stuff that you plan in the future to do something with or for things that you are slowly accumulating. I have an old stockbook that I use for keeping stamps with interesting cancels. Some day I might do something with them; but with the stockbook, they are in one place where I know where they are and I can get to them quickly if the opportunity for a trade pops up.

Stockbooks are also nice for keeping your duplicates or those stamps you wish to trade. Always keep an eye out for old collections in stockbooks or on stockpages or cards. Used stockcards are really nice for mailing stamps when trading. By using stockcards, you often don�t have to worry about using stiffeners to protect your stamps in transit.

Stockbooks, stockpages and stockcards come in several types. Those made from manila cardboard are great for duplicates and for mailing. They last for years and are cheaper than others. The ones made from cardboard and glassine are more expensive and they look nicer. However, they don�t last as long as manila in most cases; and the glassine turns brown over the years. The most expensive stockbooks and cards are made from cardboard and plastic. They are the nicest looking but will take the least abuse. These are the kind one usually uses for collections. There are also stockpages made totally from plastic. I find then stiff and hard to use.

Exercise care when placing stamps in stockbooks. It is easy to wreck your stamps if you are in a hurry.