Need Some Help

I recently purchased some small collections and in them some of the mint stamps are stuck together/stuck to the album page is there any thing out there process or product that can un-stick them?

Here is an example of plate blocks



Here are some stuck to the page I did however manage to FREE a number of them in the album.



Such a shame that people collect and don't know how to preserve

Considering the value of your time and the retail for 3c plate blocks, just throw them in to soak, and use them on outgoing letters or packages.

The better singles might respond to refrigeration, then they might snap apart. However, sticking affects the appearance, even if you get them apart with no mishaps, and they will always be worth substantially less than never-stuck copies.

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All the folks in Ohio (over 100,000 around Columbus, where I live) and Maryland and Washington D.C., without electric and thus without air conditioning for 3 to 5 days, coupled with the heat wave of the decade -- they got a BIG problem. The glue on stamps will simply soften and even melt, ruining them. Our local forecasts are for the high 90s at least through Monday; thankfully, our a/c works.

I predict you'll see a big surge in offerings of discount postage through Labor Day as all those sheets and plate blocks take an irreversible beating.

Hi Joe, I have had some success with this but you will need to be careful. For the page type,I have placed the stamps down on a table and covered with a large zip-lock bag, then using an ice cube placed in a smaller bag over the stamps and let it set for about a minute. Trying to get them very cold. Careful to seal the ice-cube bag. This also works on when plastic is stuck to metal. On my plate blocks I just use Ronsonol. I have had more failures with using ice cubes. Since the stamps I have used Ronsonol on I have seen no ill effects. I have used Ronsonol many years and have had no complaints from anyone I have sold them to. I would practice on a set that may have defects first. Since this is an "opinion" type deal,please don't hate me if there is failure. :{ Keith

If you use the ice-cube method, you need to do it on a day with extremely low humidity; otherwise, moisture (from high humidity in the air) will condense on the OUTSIDE of the plastic bag, and everything will get damp if not wet. That's why only "one minute" exposure is critical.

The stamps inside the bag will also be susceptible to condensation.

Hi Doug, Yes Sir that is very true thanks for adding that. Keith

This is a tedious process but it works. You have to dedicate yourself to the project completely in order to watch the stamps if you want to preserve the glue in some sort of new condition.

Using a steam source [teapot or boiling water or humidifier] place the pile of plate blocks above the steam and simply allow the steam to moisten the stamps enough to turn the glue back to liquid form.

It looks like the stamps are hinged so never hinged is not an issue as far as the stamps on the album. If you want to preserve the album page the steam method will work there as well. If you don't want to preserve the page but want to preserve the glue behind the stamp, simply place a wet paper towel [moistened with hot water] folded to the size of the stamp from the backside of the page until you can slide a toothpick under the stamp and gently move the toothpick the length and girth of the stamp the page will be wet but the stamp will remain relatively dry.

Wow thank you all I will try the ice first then the Ronsonol I'll let you guys know how I do.

@Doug While it is true that the stamps are of little value but when you are trying to complete a collection they become great vale to the collector. Besides there might be a gem in that pile which is about 1/8" thick.

Again great help from a great site.

Thank you

The Ronsonol works great but how long do I soak them in it? any standards?

Kind of strange that the stamp is soaked but the glue is intact.

Hi, a minute or so. It really won't hurt them for 5 minutes. They evaporate quickly and look like new.. I have found some other then US stamps that may have some low quality ink that did bleed. But I can't remember which country.."old age"..Keith

@ Rick the paper towel method works great, I am amazed............ Great trick thank you!!

Thank you all for your help:

The Molly Stuck to the Page



Finally free safe and sound



All the rest came off clean as well. Have to do many in the album.