To Soak Or Not To Soak Off Used Stams

I was given 3 very large boxes of stamps from a old lady (95 just passed) they are mainly all used and still attached to the envelops or torn off. was wondering if I should keep them that way or should I soak them off.

I used to collect stamps about 30 years ago. if the answer is to soak these old stamps what is the best way??

thanks for your help. I am new to this sight and want to say HI, and my name is Diane.

hi wow 1st post

i have a link here postal history at ebay click on it and see what is selling on covers-ones to leave the stamp on cover.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Covers-/471...&_nkw=stamps

stamps if soaked off use a vat,tub,bucket,pot whatever cool water ok, easier if you cut corner around stamp place stamp in water for 15min or so and it should slide off paper unless it is self sticking newer stamp then more effort care may be needed. place wet stamp face down on towel let dry for 30min to hour when dry you can place in an old heavy book to press so they do not curl up, I leave them over night.

Almost always a Stamp will be more valuable on cover, I'd leave things be.

thanks you. I do have some first day covers and some very interesting envelopes form us military bases oversea's. being mail to a local bank here, must have been their paycheck. I am keeping those intact, it's more the torn corners of envelopes. I should soak those off then or better just to leave??

Hi diane,

Intact stamped envelopes are called "covers" and many people collect them. Many people also collect cancellations and postmarks, usually "on cover" but sometimes "on piece", cut from the corner of the envelope. On cover is almost always better. On piece is usually only good if the paper around the stamp is neatly cut, including the whole cancellation, and cut with a generous amount of paper around them both.

The exception may be unusual "fancy cancels" which are cancellations that were made by a postmaster cutting interesting shapes in corks. Here is an example of one of mine:




If the fancy cancel extends onto the paper it is better to keep the stamp on piece to preserve the whole cancellation, even if the paper is more roughly torn from the envelope.

At the top of the website there is a Search button. Look around! You'll find a lot of good information on this site to get you started. Also look at the FAQ and Rules to see the rules of this site. They are mostly common sense but there are a few that are particular to this site.

And feel free to ask questions! It's better to search first but people here are very friendly and helpful. The depth of knowledge is amazing and people are very generous in sharing!

Have fun!

Karen

Here's a somewhat useless answer....It depends.
My feeling is, stamps on paper (torn corners) are protected by being attached to that paper. Less likely to crease or be torn. Also gives some protection to the perfs. So...it depends on what you're planning to do with the stamps.

If you are going to mount them on pages or in an album, yes I would soak them off the paper. If you're going to throw them back in a baggie or cigar box, leaving them on the paper might be beneficial.

Sometimes having them still on the corner shows an entire cancel or post mark. That to me can make a stamp more interesting.

Karen I saw the rules and FAQ. Did I do something wrong??

Diane,

One thing not mentioned yet, the paper color, not stamp color. Colored envelopes can bleed into the stamp making it worthless and undesireable. I would strongly suggest any red, green or other colors not be put into the bucket with the other stamps when you do soak.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

Art

diane,

No, you did nothing wrong! You are just new to SFC and I wanted to call the rules to your attention in case you hadn't seen them. You're doing fine!

Karen

Being a cancel collector at this time, I do enjoy a cancelled piece of paper, whole cover or a lingering memory. It adds an extra touch of realism, history and collecting flavour to the whole thing. Different cancels or postmarks or postal markings for each period too.