Another favorite method is to use a piece of aluminum foil, or other thin foil, the thinner the better. Place the foil over the stamp in question and rub your finger very gently over the foil. The frame of the oval portrait and other details will show on the foil on flat plate and rotary stamps, but will not show on the offset stamps. Again, care must be taken not to damage the stamp by rubbing too hard on the foil. Gentle pressure should bring out the features on the engraved stamp. Practice these techniques on some of the more common varieties and you will soon be an "expert" at separating engraved and offset stamps.
As kids, we used to pull the foil off of chewing gum wrappers. If that can still be separated, it's pretty fine stuff. Much thinner than your typical Reynolds Wrap.
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Posted 09/28/2008 8:00 pm
