Stamps From Sierra Leone. To Soak Or Not

I just got a set of stamps from Sierra Leona. Some are foil and look like they couls be maybe embossed, but are older. They are cut off the paper. Are they soakable? Very pretty and in many different shapes. My favs so far, so don't want to ruin them. Seems they are common as many are in my cheap albums. Like Birds with a wing span, or the shape of Africa. Help! Thanks! If need be I can scan them if that would help, just a huge process with my scanner and puter.

Jay

Based on my experience, some of these will soak, but most not. So I'd recommend leaving them on piece...

-keijo-

Probably leave on piece, But a pic would help!

Mike

Hi JayR101 ! If by soaking-means to separate stamp from paper/envelope, there was a time that was normal thing for me to do, but now looking back, I don't separate stamps and envelops anymore because the envelops carry some background history about the stamp, like postmarks, cancellation etc, and it adds more "thinking" value on the stamp!

I would probably just trim close (very carefully) and leave it at that. There's nothing to gain by soaking - but a lot to lose.