Can Anyone Help

how can I keep the stamps in good condition or stop them getting worse at least

It's a nice assortment. In the last scan, the 1/2p QV and the 6p QV catalog for over $10 (but again, remember the condition -- I'll stop mentioning this...).

The scan showing the stamp attached by string with a reddish gum/wax seal -- that should be kept intact. The cancel is heavy and obliterating, but the cancel and stamp look like Travancore.

Any stamp/item you would like to keep, you should remove from the album to minimize further discoloration. You can practice removing some of the common items first, so you can get the hang of removing stamps without damaging them. If they are hinged on, remove the stamp WITH the hinge from the page. Leave the hinge on for the time being until you get more experienced and know when it is better to leave a hinge on and when it is better to remove a hinge.

Enjoy your stamps! I know I've enjoyed looking at them!

Regarding your question on how to keep the stamps from getting worse...

If you plan on keeping this collection, you must eventually remove the stamps from the album. The album is actually a very good album that includes spaces for stationary/cutouts. They don't make albums like this anymore. Not even the Scott Internationals can compare.

Unfortunately, these albums were also printed on non-archival paper (often the acid content is relatively high, and I suspect that is what is causing the problem).

Therefore one thing you will want to do (at the proper time, get to know your collection first) is to remove the items you want from the album pages. That will stop most of the discoloration. You can also use neutralizer, but that's expensive and I don't recommend doing that. Once you get as far as IDing and removing the stamps you want, I or someone else can give you some advice on less expensive alternative methods to slow/stop the discoloration. Until you remove the stamps from the album pages, keep the album/collection as dry as possible (do not store in basement, on floor, or bottom shelf). Also, store the album pages so that the stamps are vertical if possible. Avoid storing album pages laying flat on top of each other.

While it is nice to use acid free paper I doubt that is the main cause of problems with stamps. For certain light is a major problem and can often resulting in fading stamps quickly. The other area is humidity that just might be the leading cause of stamp deterioration.

If the albums are in good shape then I would not worry too much about leaving the stamps in them. The key should shift to proper storage of the album. Some of the worse places to store them would be the basement, attic, bathroom or kitchen. I think form this you can figure out some of the better places. As stated album's should be stored on end and not flat.

Probably the best single thing you can do is to use stamp tongs to handle your stamps. By reducing the amount of times you physical touch a stamp you keep it cleaner longer.

I like to keep the bulk of my stamps in stock pages or books. I do use glassine envelopes but this really should be a temporary storage solution. One of the worse way to keep stamps is to just toss them into a shoe box.

Removing hinges is not much of a problem, though if you make a stamp you could reduce the value of a stamp fast. Well manufactured hinges should pull off with some very gentle pulling. Other may need to be soaked or at least wetting the hinges where it is attached to the stamp. Then again some are best left on the stamp by just trimming the hinge not attached to the stamp.

BTW foxing is the red / brown coloring on the stamps. Is is thought that two of the biggest contributors to foxing is sunlight and high humidity. Certainly acid paper is a problem when the lignin is destroyed by sunlight. This is the short course on foxing.

Based on what I have seen of your pics, I would say the album is not in good shape and it would be unwise in the long run to keep them in that album. Just my opinion. Others may/will have a different take on that.

k

Thanks for the input, there are so many more to put into somthing and its ashame if you all think I shouldnt use the album as it really is quite a nice leather bound book, there are a few smaller albums also dated around the 1800 and they are called victorian albums, the main album is illustrated really nicely but if it is the cause of the problem and I want to build on the collection I guess its best to try and remove what ones I can

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Those last photo's pretty much show foxing on the album pages. In that case there is trouble brewing.

sorry bet I am driving you all mad now :p




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Not all these pics are from the album some are on other pads and booklets, any where you can see typed illustration that is the album,

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wonderful old collection...since they are all hinged and may have suffered
some deterioration from moisture and the like...their value would be on the low end of the catalog values..still, and attractive and desirable world stamp lot!

Don't get me wrong, you do have several moderate to high premium items in the lot. I already see one that catalogs for almost $100 (3p QV). If you plan on keeping this collection, I'd be more than happy to point out which ones to hang onto until you get one in better condition.

I have to head out, I'll look through your scans later.

k

Thanks that would be great
Irll try and sort them into some form of order over the weekend, and get a few pics of the better ones with less fading

irll try and get a few clear pics tomoz and thanks for all your help and input guys and girls

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