Using The New Jenny

A few weeks ago, I mailed a package to a friend. I decided to frank it using the new $2 Jenny.

I carefully removed the backing from the sheet and attached it to the Priority Mail box. I let my friend know in advance that I wanted her to send the stamps back to me.

Here's a scan of how it looked when it left my post office.



My friend carefully cut the box and returned the stamps. They escaped the marker monkey; BUT the quality of cardboard box wrinkled the stamps. I'm not sure if it was the handling, or if the porous cardboard absorbed moisture, or what?

This image is a photography from a 'side angle' -- a scan doesn't show the wrinkles.



It's probably a moot point anyway -- I don't know if they're soakable, and even if they are, I doubt the sheet would stay intact after soaking.

Kirk

Kirk, have you read the latest APS journal? The February issue has a very interesting way of removing self adhesive stamps. WD40! I have not tried it on a sheetlet like yours, but it does work great on stamps!

Peter

It's on my coffee table, Peter, but I haven't read it yet. I'll let you know if I decide to risk it

And how do you remove the WD40? It is a petroleum based concoction you know.

I have also noticed that putting any stamps on the priority boxews tends to get them damaged. I have seem holes punched in the $10 wave stamps. Rather annoying to say the least. Would like to get some used express mail stamps, but the odds of them being unusable after the mailing does exist. The priority envelopes seem to work a little better in keeping the stamps intact. Just my observations.

Oh man that's too bad Kirk. That's why I ask people not to use corrugated cardboard as stiffeners.

The older Ronsonol lighter fluid that contains naphtha will loosen self-adhesive stamps and allow them to be lifted off their surfaces. The newer Ronsonol, however, no longer contains naphtha, but a newer petroleum distillate. Haven't tried it, so don't know if it works as well.

Another product, Bestine, will remove self-adhesive stamps nicely too. I found it at Hobby Lobby, but suspect other similar stores carry it too.

A year or so ago, the APS journal ran an article on products that will loosen self-adhesive stamps. Unfortunately, I don't remember the issue, but it, along with subsequent letters to the editor, offered several alternatives.

Don

There is a thread in the main forum about the WD-40. I tried it with their marker/pen and it worked well. You also need corn starch to put on the back of the stamp after removal. There is no WD40 smell with the pen. I guess the question now will be if there is going to be stamp deterioration over time. The problem I see that you're going to have is the thickness of the material. Your putting the WD40 on the back of the material so it might take awhile for the WD40 to reach the adhesive. Good luck and let us know how it came out for you.
Tom

If you pm me I'd be happy to send the stamp to you which has completed two experiments.
Tom