Re: Looking For Advise On When And How To Clean Grime Off Of Covers Safely

Morning all,

Early spring cleaning time. I have accumulated several covers that are, what they say, "well travelled". They have an accumulation of smudges, dirt and just plain grime detracting from their appearance.

Any advice on how to approach cleaning up a soiled cover would be appreciated. When should a cover be cleaned? What is your experience in doing this?

You can try various erasers. Prismacolor has a variety pack of rubber, plastic & kneaded erasers that are sold at Staples.

A great overview of various preservation methods-

https://classic.stamps.org/Preservation-and-Care

In general, I do not think 'cleaning' covers is either wise or honest unless perhaps you are talking about something very common with a value of less than a dollar. Sometimes pencil markings and wear and the like are essential to show how a particular cover went through the mail. Some pencil markings were actually applied by postal officials and are as essential as the stamp and cancel. The one type of marking that I would not feel this way about would be something some uneducated dealer or collector may have written on the cover such as their price or stock number or catalog number of the stamps. In those cases, there are a couple of different kinds of specialty erasers used by professional paper conservators. You will not find these in any stationery store or office supply store. You need to go on line to a place that sells materials to professional conservators, and then you much learn how to use it. Too vigorous of an erase will remove a mark but also the paper underneath it which would be bad.

This sort of thing is not for the fainthearted and if you've not done it before, experiment on something that you're willing to sacrifice whilst gaining experience.

Robson Lowe said something that's always left me bemused/confused. This from the 2nd edition of Volume 1 of his encyclopaedias:

"Items that are soiled may often be improved by gently rubbing with a soft rubber (engrained dirt can be removed or diminished with the judicious use of a typewriter rubber or bread) and the letter damped and ironed."

I wouldn't have a clue as to where to buy a typewriter rubber but bread is readily available. What sort of bread though?

I highly recommend a draftsman dry cleaning pad. I used to use them for architectural drawing work and they are perfect for gentle and effective cleaning.

An example:

https://www.dickblick.com/products/...leaning-pad/

Good question. Day old bread is preferred, but it appears the method is a bit out of date...


http://cool.conservation-us.org/coo...cleaning.pdf

Thank you craigk, a very interesting link!

be aware that a draftsman's dry cleaning pad will also remove or lighten pencil lines.

You use a draftsman's dry cleaning pad ON pencil drawings. Not sure what you are talking about.

the draftsmans dry cleaning pad purpose was to remove loose graphite or light smudges caused by the soft graphite pencils used for making drawings. rubbing it on a cover will pick up some forms of grime and dirt, but it will leave a powdery residue that we use to use a horsehair brush to dust off. it will lighten pencil lines and if used aggressively remove them.

You can use a hammer to tap or pound. Common sense is in order.

no disrespect men't or implied.

Morning all,

Have received my dry cleaning pads but not had time to try them, yet. I prefer to eat my bread but may give it a go too. Will advise on results achieved with a before and after image soon.