Wife Told Me To Clean Up The Mess Or Else

I received my German stamps today, Bobgggg.

Thank you very much.

Very nice selection.

The only disappointing thing is, that the envelope was opened by customs and then taped back up. They taped right across all the stamps on the envelope. If they had a brain they would be dangerous.

Steve

Well unfortunately the old phrase Day late and dollar short fits me here. I am new to the hobby and was wondering if anyone could help me with sites that may give free stamps or if anyone would have some dupes that they don't need and would consider passing on to someone Please let me know. Thank you very much.

Triggersmob,

I have successfully managed to remove scotch tape from across the face of a stamp with minimal damage (almost no ink transferred to the tape - more like an impression really), but it took a lot of patience. Basically, it took nearly a week of soaking. I floated the stamp face up, and gradually the tape would bubble away from the stamp around the edges (it would get this frosty white look). Then I very gently separated the bubbled portion away from the stamp. The glue in that area was still there, but very soft and stringy, and lucky for me pulled away from the stamp clean. Then it was time to soak some more, now that the water could better get to the next glued portion. The paper did get noticeably soft, so you have to have a really gentle touch.

Anyway, it may be possible with some patience and luck to recover those stamps. :-)

Oh I should mention that I did this on a stamp that had been taped for almost twenty years. But it was a clear tape that had yellowed only a little bit. Now whether that worked in my favor or not, I'm not sure...

Steve, though it's customs rather than Australia Post, you might want to post a scan of your cover, at the link below. Someone there even suggests it be kept, as is, as a piece of postal history for future collectors.

http://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?p=224957

I've seen discussion somewhere of some people collecting defaced, mutilated, and otherwise messed up covers as part of their overall philatelic material. It sounds like you have a good start already!

Too late! I already cut the stamps off the envelope.

Steve