Hinges use a "glue" that can often be removed by "heat". Put the stamp face down on a firm surface, rub the hinge remnant with the flat face of your stamp tongs to create friction that will heat the hinge glue, after about 15 seconds try to lift the hinge off.
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There is a Bill Weiss article on removing hinges on the Stamp Smarter web site. Go to Features|Weiss Library|'How To Remove Hinges From Stamps' at bottom of page. Don
Modern hinges, though they are not "peelable" are quite "soakable".
With some of the older ones (pre-1950's?) it is a little different. Most of those will come off with prolonged soaking and more patience. One complicating factor is the original gum remnants on the used stamp. It seems to bond with the hinge gum in some instances and these hinges can be impossible to remove. With the old Austrian stamps from 1890-1910, you are better off not trying to remove the hinge remnants.
Like a lot of folks on this forum, I've soaked an awful lot of stamps to remove hinges and paper. Putting them in a bath of warm water will usually do the trick in 5 or 10 minutes. However, I've come across a couple of "ancient" hinge types that can be difficult. These are the ones that seem to be made of tape material and are rather thick. Thankfully these are few and far between on the old albums I've bought.
The other problem is where glue (other than what came with the stamp or hinge) was used. I've had little luck with this.
bookbndrbob wrote: "With the old Austrian stamps from 1890-1910, you are better off not trying to remove the hinge remnants." I think B.B.B.'s advice can apply to any stamps placed in an album during those years; certainly prior; and maybe somewhat after his dates. I've encountered quite a few stamps in old collections that were affixed with paper hinges; not glassine, but actual slim strips of paper (and probably glue). If I could tease off a bit of the paper, I did that. Otherwise left the hinges alone.
Then there is the collection of folders of Latin American countries I bought 20+ years ago where the owner used mostly hinges to attach his/her stamps, but also mixed in adhesive dots of the kind you can get at stationary stores. Those wouldn't soak well and I finally ended up trashing the stamps attached with "dots."
Here's a challenge. An old expensive Mint stamp with original gum and a heavy (half of a ) hinge. Should I remove this hinge and how could it be done without damaging the stamp.
I wouldn't want the glue from the stamp to soak thru to the front and stain the design.
What does "bumped" mean in this context? Did I do something wrong? Or is that like reactivating the topic?
I wanted to add here that I tried a tip I picked up here, or under another topic on this forum, of a way to remove hinges without soaking.
The method is to use the flat end of tongs rubbing the hinge in circular motion to create heat. When the edge of the hinge begins to release, try softly pulling at it with the tongs (flat, not pointed). It worked on 5 out of the 6 stamps on which I tried it.
Yes it means the same as reactivated. It refers to the fact that a topic is way down the list in the topics and by responding to it you have bumped it up to the top of the list in recent topics.
I have a couple of Desert Magic drying books that work well for drying stamps. I place a heavy book on top of them when drying stamps to keep them flat.
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