Poor Mutilated Stamps

Gussyboy1,

I just tried this with a 3 cent USA star self adhesive to see if it still worked as I remembered. This is a hazardous solution, so do in ventilated area with some gloves. I used to use Ronson lighter fluid as it is a little less hazardous, but not having any on hand I used acetone ( from paint department) and not the "acetone" fingernail remover .

I go into the ventilated room with thin gloves, pour just enough acetone to cover stamp in a glass saucer. Let it soak about 30 seconds and you should be able to lift off the stamp. I use a wooden toothpick or the pointed end of a disposable floss holder. Throw away the piece of paper the stamp was on and re-immerse the stamp , gum side up, and I use a small piece of paper towel or q-tip soaked in the acetone and wipe off the glue gently. Then carefully put the stamp, still gum side up on another piece of paper towel and when the acetone evaporates, the back should be stick free. If small area still sticky, repeat the last part. The Ronson lighter fluid also does a good job of watermark detection in my experience. Now that I realize I don't have any , it is time to visit the 99 cent store :) WARNING : both fluids are flammable. Don't use near a flame such as gas stoves or hot water heaters. Please be responsible and if not an adult, obtain adult supervision!

Jim

Thanks, Jim! GREAT advice!
Gussyboy1

Oh no! Looking at the 'hack job' on those stamps makes me very sad indeed.

Why is the USPS moving to a non-water soluble adhesive, once again? Are they planning to skip running mail through canceling machines altogether and just let any attempt at removal cause stamps to self-destruct?

Gussyboy, I still have most of my sick and injured stamps buried somewhere - when I find them again I will let you know. It will be awhile as what little free time I have had lately has been spent on my WW collection and on our forum.

Charles.

The cost savings of not having to cancel first-class mail anymore would be huge.

The acetone magic trick.

Gussyboy1

The acetone seems to be doing the trick ! Thanks for the help guys!

Gussyboy1

Yeah, and you can take off that nail polish at the same time!

Here's the other one I was thinking about Jeffrey!

The woman that did this probably collected the pictures, not knowing any better.
She may not have had a friend that was a collector to guide her and probably didn't have this forum to spend hours looking at what and how to do these things. (I am blessed in so many ways)
Sad to see the destruction but is a good topic to be pointing out to all of our young and new collectors.
I look back at the stamps that I tossed in the rubbish while traveling the word. What a pity I didn't know then what I know now.