Technical: Dylux 503-1B Method For Discovering Watermarks

Hi everyone,

I recently read some highly interesting articles about a "new" method for discovering watermarks. This seems to be possible with stamps left on envelopes or pieces of backing paper. I would like to ask if anyone has ever tried that and if that really works with stamps left on paper. If it does, this would solve quite a few problems.

References:

http://www.gravell.org/wizard.php?&...otal=&query=
http://abacus.bates.edu/wmarchive/D..._method.html

I will be going to the US in August and I would then buy some Dylux 503-1B. However, since a pack of 500 sheets costs a considerable amount of money ($ 100 - $ 200+) I would first like to know if anyone has ever tried that method successfully. I also wrote to Dupont and asked for a sample - don't know yet if they will send me one. Sadly, this Dylux 503-1B does not seem to be available in Germany - at least not under this brand name.

Kind regards,

George

Hi George, thats quite interesting. I wonder what that "off gas" it gives off is. To me I have alot of problems with the U.S. single line watermarks. Especially where the small lines are on the side. I still use the Ronsonol and recently purchased a Scorpion blacklight. I do notice that most other countrys have more defined type watermarks. Thamks for the link. Keith

Hi Keith,

I wouldn't worry too much about the off-gas. Anyone who lives near a major road or who has developed photos years ago has probably been subject to more unhealthy chemicals. As this Dylux method could easily be done in a well-ventilated area I don't see a major problem there.

With regard to the watermarks: for stamps which are not on their backing paper, my first choice is the Safe Signoscope T1. Sometimes the Ronsonol (or other benzene derivatives) will reveal the watermark more clearly, most of the time the Signoscope works at least as well. Benzene is hazardous too and supposed to cause leukemia and other sorts of cancer.

However, the main problem is with stamps still on envelopes etc. that you don't want to take off (decreased value when doing so).

My main interest is German "Bautenserie" (building series of 1948) and Notopfer Berlin (those half-size 2 Pf. stamps used to finance the Berlin airlift) and the problems there are similar as the ones you mentioned with US stamps. The watermarks are sometimes very faint or missing altogether. When they are missing on a single stamp there is no way to show them at all. Most of the time only a tiny fraction of the watermark could be seen and that is very faint too.

Revealing such watermarks more clearly would certainly help a great deal. I still doubt that it will work nicely with stamps still on their backing paper, however. Anyway, still waiting for someone who has tried this method with the hard-to-see watermarks on envelopes etc.

Kind regards,

Werner

Interesting. I did find this a bit scary though.

$20 For Alternative

The other reliably accurate method of copying watermarks is the beta-ray technique, involving a radioactive carbon sheet, which emits radiation that images a silver film. After conventional processing, the film produces an exact copy of the watermark.

Yes, but the alternative beta-ray technique is not suitable for home use. As far as I can understand it, it involves some very dedicated lab equipment. Plus - the cost is prohibitive.

The Dylux method seems to be the way to go. With 300'/14" it costs just over $ 100 on ebay currently. There seems to be a drawback, tho: "This material is on closeout, due to the material being past its expiration date. " Probably it would be better to order fresh Dylux instead.

Still, a 300' roll would probably be enough for most stamp collections.

Regards,

Werner