Odd Hinges

I have a set of stamps of stamps from Queen Elizabeth II coronation. They all have been hinged. They're not the hinges that I am use to seeing. They have this thick, very small blob of brown gum that goes on the stamp and the flap of the hinge is just to lick and stick. I've tried to take them off, but only the paper around the gum blob will come off. Anyone know how I can I get them off? I can't re-hinge them. I could put them in stamp mounts, but I'm just being a stickler on this.

Also, I know that anything that was hinged is no longer MNH, but does the hinging of these stamps make them no longer of market worth? They would be considered used, right?

Donna

No, They still have value.



Wrong, Mint Previously Hinged(MH), or just Mint, or Unused (all the same meaning)

My understanding of unused is a stamp with no cancel and no gum.

Ohhhh I went and opened a can of worms.




So, then shouldn't that be MPH? (Mint Previously Hinged)

Donna

Yes, where is the smiley icon for "opening a can of worms" ?

I think you meant No Cancel and WITH Gum.

Unused is just that "Unused". Never having been through the Postal System. Gum can be removed for a number of reasons. If a stamp is Mint without gum it is still Mint. However, it will sell at a discount off of the Mint price. Unless of course it is Mint NGAI. NGAI means "No Gum as Issued".



Any stamp listed any other way than MNH should be assumed to have been hinged.

MPH should only be used on Topicals with Cars on them(at least here in the States). Just watch out you don't want to get a Speeding Ticket

You're right. I would not have to go to traffic school for licking a hinge too fast...lol
Donna

If you care to experiment and take a chance, you can try using a bit of lighter fluid (Ronsonol) on this and see if you can then gently remove it from the stamp with a dull blade or even the edge of a coin. If it works, any remaining residue can be wiped off with a cloth moistened in the lighter fluid. Use one of the cheaper stamps to test it on.

I don't know. The hinge has what I would say is like padding? It's about less than 1/8 in thickness. I can see where this particular hinge would keep the stamp from laying completely flat against the page, maybe to keep it from sticking to the page or for easy lifting to see what was under it. I'l give it a try though.

Donna

From what you describe, I envision a rubber based adhesive that might be soluble in lighter fluid. But doing a test on one of your stamps to prove the theory is up to you.