Stamp Cleaning Question

Let me start by saying I'm very new to stamp collecting and forgive my ignorance ahead of time.

I read somewhere that there is a way to clean stamps with a q tip and hydrogen peroxide. Before I take the plunge, I just want to make sure this is acceptable and well-practiced.

The stamps I have are all pre 1900, and many weren't protected very well and many have since accumulated a brown tinge.

If cleaning is ok, is the qtip/peroxide method ok, or are there better/safer ways to restore stamps?

I did try the search on the forum and a google search but didn't find any info.

Thanks in advance

Usually, with most stamps especially pre WWII aka CLASSICS it is best to leave them as is. I personally have never cleaned a stamp and have no 1st hand knowledge of this practive. I'll let others more experienced weigh in on the topic.

iil1ill,

A very good question, and I recognize that you don't have any "bad" intentions in asking. Welcome to the hobby of stamp collecting!



The hydrogen peroxide treatment you are probably referring to does not actually clean a stamp. It is used to "refresh" certain stamp colors that have changed due to sulphuration (stamp collectors incorrectly use the term oxidation, so if you hear us say that, we actually mean chemical sulphuration). For most stamp inks that suffer from sulphuration, the process is reversible by hydrogen peroxide treatment.

However, NEVER apply hydrogen peroxide treatment to stamps that have gum, as you will lose the gum. Sometimes people try to use Q-tips to locally apply the hydrogen peroxide on mint stamps or to "remove" small stains. I don't recommend doing that, as this type of restoration is usually more obvious when not done correctly; and even if done correctly, can be detected by someone skilled in spotting altered stamps.

The hydrogen peroxide will not fully remove the brown stains on your stamps, sorry. All type of "brown" stains on stamps are not fully reversible. In other words, you cannot remove them without leaving some telltale sign; although an expert can do quite a good job that can be extremely difficult (but not impossible) to detect.

Unlike other collectibles and antiques, the restoration of stamps is usually frowned upon. Although some collectors do consider certain types of basic restoration (such as erasing pencil marks, hydrogen peroxide treatment to remove sulfur...) acceptable. I know of a couple of collectors that painstakingly restored all their stamps from their childhood collection.

Regardless of where one stands on this issue, it is my personal opinion that any restoration work be documented to avoid any misunderstanding or misrepresentation by later owners. It is for this reason, that my personal policy is to not provide details about how to restore a stamp. I can tell you, however, that the techniques are actually well-documented, in print and on-line -- but you will have to do some searching.

If the stamps don't have any particular sentimental value, I would recommend simply isolating the stamps (that's what I had to do with part of the collection my Mother gave to me) and getting better ones in the future.

Just my thoughts.

k

I would prefer to have an expensive aged looking stamp than a cleaned one, well done or not. Sometimes we need to respect the fact that a stamp is 100 years old and that is that, not all of them can be totally perfect and in some examples the aged look adds to the value of stamp for me!
But in saying this I will clean some of the cheaper used KGVs that need help!
Poor soaking practices in the distant past is a fact with the more common older stamps we come across. They have ended up with more gum on them than the day they were printed and because of this they have become a magnet for dust collection. The main reason for this is poor storage of the more common stamps. This issue is not for the more expensive stamps they have generally been treated better from start to finish.
I will only clean with detergent at the strength for washing the dinner plates, for only 5 mins of soaking and I have to be very careful with the stamp ink concerned that I do not destroy the stamp. I have also had some good out comes with surface rust removal from used stamps with this method as well. I must add I hate bleach cleaned stamps, so what if a stamp looks a bit old, they are old! Poor old stamps! KGV

A better explanation of the cleaning method above!
Firstly soak the stamp in clean water until saturated. Then pour off the water and replace with detergent and water. Soak for 5 mins, pour off the water then rinse with clean water 4 or 5 times. At your own risk! You can totally destroy stamps by doing this and they must be used stamps!

dear K,

where were you allt hese days? I hope everything is fine.

Sorry for taking this thread off-topic...

Dear Spock1k,




I was in Asia for a few weeks because a family member was hospitalized and died while traveling there. I have returned, but am still busy tying up loose ends here in the US.

Thank you for asking.

k

i am so sorry to hear that. if there is anything we can do to help please let us know. please accept my deepest condolences

Hi iil1ill, welcome.

I don't think anyone addressed the fact that since you are relatively new to stamp collecting you may not be aware of the toning or rusting that happens to poorly stored stamps.

A brownish tinge developes around the edges and sometimes mildew and mold can also make brownish spots appear elsewhere on the stamp also. I am no expert but from what I have learned on this forum these damaged stamps should be isolated from the good stamps so the molds and mildews don't spread.

Search for toning or rust to find some threads on here.

Several months ago I posted detailed instructions on how to remove certain types of mold/mildew. I do recommend reading the cautions. I DO NOT condone chemical enhancement of stamps. The exception is the reversal of Oxidation or more correctly sulphuration.

ah its dear rev,

how mice of you to join us again :)

Lots of good info as well as caution stated here.
I have used hydrogen peroxide on many a oxidized stamp to bring back its full color with no harm.
Stamps that are toned (or tropical stains) are the ones in which you really need to be carefull.
On badly toned stamps I use powered chlorine added to a small saucer of water and allow to soak for just a minute or so. Afterwards it must be rinsed in clean water very good.
Chlorine destroys paper fibers if soaked too long.
Use with caution.


Ernie

lots of good information...
I actually have a stamp, imperf block of 4. a scott #771.
in the image below, is that rusting? or water damage?
Since it has detached from the cover it was on. (issue with no gum) I don't think it would do any harm to clean it up a bit.
But I worry about this kind of stuff.

Looks to be typical "Tropical Stains".
If you have any bad stamps with the same stains experminent first with them using a small saucer with some powered chlorine mixed in, then let them soak for just a minute or so and rince good and see how much of the stain comes out.
If satisfied with the results, then clean you're 771s.


Ernie

if they were mine I would sell them and buy a problem free copy.