I guess most true collectors would say that stamp restoration destroys a stamp. I have seen that there are strong feelings on both sides though. I do know that the APS insists that repaired and restored stamps must be identified with indelible ink.
I like the idea of restored stamps because it keeps people like me in the market for some of these stamps. I get a better looking stamp at a much lower price.If there wasn't a way to have these stamps repaired and restored I wouldn't be able to build some of the older issues into my collection. However I don't want the stamp marked, that takes away from the restoration.
They can do great things with these older damaged stamps like correcting thins, adding missing corners and even adding paper to reperf a stamp. In the end you have a stamp that pretty much looks like the original just from the printer.
I don't worry about trying to pass it off as a non repaired stamp because anyone who plays in this price level can spot a restored stamp pretty quickly in person.
But for me since I'm not building for investment it ma be the answer for those more expensive stamps.
In any event here is a link to see what a good restoration service can do, though they are closed for personal issues right now. But their web site gives a lot of in site into stamp restoration and repair.
http://home.golden.net/~hanssitt/SR...SRShome.html