Unsticking A Full Printers Sheet Any Suggestions?

I'm sure this doesn't come up regularly . I recently got a fantastic deal on the last 4 uncut press sheets I needed from the Canadian lunar series. One of which is the OX and generally sells at $200+ but this one is partially stuck to the brown paper they come along with. Overall the sheet looks Ok and could likely be trimmed and left alone but wouldn't mind seperating . Basically an unhingeing job of extra large proportions. Definatly don't want to soak the sheet so bathtub is out of the question but was contemplating some sort of steam . Fortunatly I have a large acrylic print holder that I can likely place this in to press it if there is some warping or wrinkling but don't want to totally mess it up. If all else failed it would make one heck of a parcel cover.

I wonder if freezing would help. Must be careful about moisture condensation though at low temperatures.

If I were to freeze it would the danger factor be possible condensation after the fact? The sticking is basically at the top of the sheet so in perspective it is not a large area yet still a daunting challenge comparitively. My worries with any sort of heat/ sweat box type of scenario is massive gum damage to the remainder of the sheet.

That's an almost sure bet. I now better understand your problem. I originally thought your entire press sheet was stuck to the brown backing.

Basically, the gum in the area stuck will be irreparably damaged. It sounds like your goal is to minimize any stamp paper damage and also minimize any damage to the unstuck gum areas.

I would suggest trying a product called Stamp Lift (google it to find product info and retailer). It will result in disturbed gum, but at least it will be localized. A long time ago, I tried it for removing booklet panes from booklets with selvage intact. It did work, although it also resulted in disturbed gum in any area that was wetted. I eventually decided careful pulling/tugging of the booklet panes produced better results. But the Stamp Lift did work; I had to apply the fluid a couple of times to get it all apart. Do not be too aggressive with the stamp areas that are wetted with Stamp Lift. Remember, paper fibers get weak when wet -- you don't want to rip the stamp. You can practice with some on-paper used stamps to get the hang of it.

Just a thought.

Ok tragedy struck-- Tried freezing no help but no harm. Decided to attack lightly with paint brush to slowly moisten and gain mm at a time. Problem was when I rolled the sheet to get under the stuck area I didn't realize it was hanging over the edge of the table and the weight made several tears and in a nut shell the top 2-3 inches is pretty well toast. Had it been anywhere but the top I may have just framed it with matting to cover . Now the issue becomes what to do with the perfectly good stamps . Seeing as its a printers sheet I was contemplating cutting 4 rows of 3 (horizontal) with color guide edges and selling as such. Its a shame since this is the most expensive of the 12 sheets . If anyone is interested in any of these or a different cut version feel free to let me know . Any ideas on how to cut for best results would be appreciated.