Scanning Stamps

I'll preface this question with the fact that I've been
using flatbed scanners since they were scuzzy units, something
on the order of 15+ years.
My problem is getting postage stamps off of the glass when
I'm done scanning.
I just wrecked a very nice lot of stamps of low value.
I've been listing some things on Wensy, and am killing two
birds with one stone, while culling out the items I no longer
want, and tidying up my collection enmasse.
I am getting "stiffer", if I can use that term, as I get older.
AC/DC Back In Black album currently playing, so I'm still a
kid mentally, but for the life of me I can no longer accurately
handle tongs, and my fingers don't have the finesse I had a few
years ago. I was an auto mechanic for 20+ years and had great
touch. Now, not so much. But I can still type with more skill ???
ANYONE have a solution ????
I've tried using an old Harris Perfectoguage to slide them all
into a small pile, then use the guage like a burger spatula.
I've been doing about 20 US numbered singles at a time on the
scanner to cut down on the scanning time. Even taped some flat
black construction paper to the lid to promote contrast,
but ruined about 6 nice Roosevelts a few minutes ago.

Oh, and I've already tried the wife's turkey baster.
The vacuum thing does indeed pick the stamp up.
Got a good laugh when I tried to shoot the stamp
back into the envelope..... she still thinks I'm cute.
Not too smart, but cute.

I think I get satisfactory results using the 102 dealer cards with a black background, or a stockpage. I usually try to use a stockpage with pockets that are deep enough for the entire stamp, so that there isn't a line across the stamp.

Hobby shops will have a hobby-sized version of the turkey baster, called a Hobby Pal. It supposedly allows a degree of finesse. I don't know if it is gentle enough for stamps. Here is a link to one:

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/bad/bad50-540.htm

Good luck.

Collin

Towards,
Thanks for posting this thread. I thought I was the only one who has mangled stamps trying to get them off a scanner.

Now I either put them into a mount or stockpage before scanning.

I'm not allowed to use the turkey baster......

Dan

Excellent Question.

I think a lot of us have the same issue with tongs on scanner glass. I have two additional issues..

One: my scans are rarely properly aligned. When I close the lid there's just enough 'air' to shift the stamps on the glass.
Two: sometimes the stamps get stuck between the glass and the edge of the flatbed, making it even more difficult to pick them up with tongs.

Unfortunately, I have no answers, but thanks for raising the subject.

Kirk

I've tried another Fred Flintstone idea a moment ago.
I refill my own ink cartridges for the printers in the
house. We have 4 printers. Count 'em, 4.
Our local 99CentOnly stores have great refill kits that
are small bulbs with a longnecked pito tube to dispense
the ink into the cartridge. It's water based so it cleans
up relatively easy for me. I'm a pack rat, so I cleaned the
old tubes and ditched them into a junk box in the garage.
Been experimenting, and results are less than promising.
I've scanned over 25,000 comic books on this scanner, and
to be stumped at my age by a postage stamp.

Phil

For stamps (rather than covers) I always use black-backed stock pages. They come in pockets of various widths and the newer the better, because it takes less dust spotting to clean them up afterward. They are especially useful when dealing with sets. Check out my BidStart listings for examples.

http://bidstart.com/stores/ModernVueStamps

I use the sticky part of a PostIt note to pick them up. No residue is left on the stamp.

Long, sleek pointy stamp tongs for moi,
Depending on the stamp size, I usually scan 5 to 30 stamps at a time
(30 passes) then gently shift to a bundle in the middle of the platen, and lift off with tongs.
When I have tried "sliding off" they do indeed slip under the case edge.

I'd have to agree, rod...the tongs I use most often are marked Pi 51 and are made by Lighthouse. They will go right under anything, whether on glass, stockpages or a slippery birch desktop. Some of the others that I have seem to push stamps around more than get under them.

My 2d.

Collin

You got it! I use the vario sheets and do not have a problem with reflections at all, just in case some were wondering. Also using stock pages like these type when selling it is easy to find them again. Also you can scan a whole page of stamps and then just crop or cut and paste instead of rescanning individual stamps.

I always scan stamps on a Hagner sheet, and covers straight on the glass. I've got a range of Hagner's so I can scan singles, blocks etc

Good idea, BeeSee!

Thanks Kirk. Funny thing is before I came up with that idea, one time I just could not remove a stubborn stamp from my scanner. It stayed there for a few days and implemented itself into a few travel photos I scanned for relatives... One day I had the bright idea to blow on it, and sure enough it escaped the static electrical clutches of my scanner, but landed face down on the plate of Ravioli I was eating. :(

Do not eat or drink while stamping.

Hello Collin, I just had a dekko at mine, Prinz "Solingen"
The enjoyment of philately took a quantum leap, just using good tweezers, they go under anything without grabbing the perfs.

They are identical to mine in appearance. Have to be the same manufacturer.

Worth every penny.

Collin