Worldwide Canceled Stamps With Original Gum

While sorting through my long lost stamp collection, I have come across SEVERAL hundred worldwide stamps in glassine envelopes. Many of them have the original gum, but also have a circular cancel on one corner (unlike the horizontal lines of US precancels). I assume that they are now considered "used" even though they have not been "mailed"?
(.... Any thoughts as to why so many of them are in this condition? Just seems sort of strange.)

Also, some envelopes contain "clumps" of stamps all stuck together, so I'll need to soak them. Is there any reason to try to preserve the gum on some of them if they will easily pull free? My thought is that they are already considered used, so why worry with keeping the gum on back?

Of course, I realize I may be completely wrong here - help.

They're CTO (cancelled to order)stamps.This subject has already been talked about here. Just search the thread.

The stamps you describe with original gum and a circular cancel in the corner are what are generally referred to as "CTOs" or "Cancelled to Order" stamps. There are countries that produce them in the millions solely for sale to collectors. The stamps have never seen postal use and as such are considered less desirable to some stamp collectors. More information is provided at this link:

http://www.linns.com/howto/refreshe...rcourse.aspx

The stamps "clumped together" can be soaked. The value of CTO stamps with or without gum is probably negligible. On the other hand, some collectors have suggested to try placing stamps in a freezer for a couple of hours and sometimes that will enable you to separate them without too much difficulty. Failing that, soaking the stamps would be your only other alternative.

If these are from countries like Romania, Umm al Quain, Ajman, Bulgaria, Russia, DDR, Hungary, Equatorial Guiana, etc, etc they are most likely CTO or Cancelled To Order stamps, printed with a cancel on them strictly for the collecting market and sometimes not even listed in the major catalogues, (or perhaps in the back) which only (usually) list stamps meant for use in the postal systems or stamps not printed excess to use.

They are still of value to collectors, and some are very nice looking. Topics and themes are usually found on many that collectors enjoy and thus pay for.

Stuck together stamps you may try to freeze apart (may work) but usually have to soak. For the CTO's soaking does not majorly affect their value, although some people may like the gum on the back.