Advice For Removing Used Stamps From Paper

Hello, I'm new to this forum but have browsed it on occasion.

I began collecting used Canada stamps and have a bunch that are stuck to paper, mostly envelopes.

What are the general guidelines for removing these stamps so that they are "album ready" and preserve as much of the stamp's integrity as possible.

Is it important to preserve the gum? Previously I have soaked stamps off envelopes as it is quick and easy but have been dissatisfied with the quality of the stamps after doing that (wrinkles, changing shape, losing gum) and I presume such stamps would not be desirable for trading and certainly not selling.

I also tried soaking in lighter fluid but the stamps remain firmly affixed to the paper over 15 minutes later.

Lighter fuel won't remove stamps from paper - it's used to show up watermarks. There's no reason to preserve the gum on a used stamp removed from paper - but worth drying face down to prevent residual gum from sticking to the absorbent paper you're using for drying. Once dry, put the stamps flat in a stock-page, perhaps with a weight on top to prevent curling.

Lots here:


You can't. The gum was used when the sender stuck the stamp to the envelope.


It's not the soaking-off that's causing the problems, it's how you handle the stamps after. Once off cover, stamps are best left to dry under weight so they don't curl or otherwise change shape. Even something as basic as a paper-towel sandwich and a book will help. Also, a used stamp almost by definition won't have gum; millions of these are bought and sold every year by collectors the world over. Used-stamp collectors expect them to not have gum.


Lighter fluid isn't a solvent for stamp gum, which is why it can be used on MNH (**) stamps to check for watermarks.

If you are talking about the older perforated and gummed stamps, and this is something you are going to be doing frequently, consider picking up a drying book. I have a Desert Magic; there are others. You want all of the gum to be gone when you're done soaking There are no extra points for gum remaining on a soaked, used stamp.

There are lots of opinions online about the best methods for soaking. Read several, try a few with a few stamps at a time, and build your confidence.

I must admit I find the replies confusing so far. Let me take a try at it ....

jorsian, You will find there are two major types of stamps you will encounter:

1. Those with water-soluble gum, the standard, older, lickable type. These are typically soaked in cool water to dissolve the gum and dried in a drying book, etc.

2. Those which are self-adhesive like stickers, mostly from the last 20 years or so. The majority of these will require an organic solvent of some sort for the adhesive removal. Some collectors use lighter fluid, some use Pure Citrus orange air freshener. Removal is more time consuming, such that many collectors just clip the stamp fairly close instead and mount the stamp without actual removal from the envelope portion.

It is important to have each stamp in the correct pile so the correct removal method is applied.

More lengthy details of the soaking and solvent methods can found by searching other threads here.

And I agree with the other responses, *gum* means nothing on used stamps.

John Becket has answered my question exactly. Thank you. I had intended to use Pure Citrus but could not easily find the product in Canada. The alternative I chose is lighter fluid, which did not work for me. I will order some Pure Citrus.

I have been successful in soaking off self-adhesives from paper however the quality issues I noted in my OP remain; I figure using the Pure Citrus to remove and then using a book weight will do.

The responses re: gum were enlightening as well. I had assumed gum was supposed to stay on used stamps after removal but I am clearly mistaken.

*Some* self-adhesives will soak in water, but most won't.
The important thing with the self-adhesives is the COMPLETE removal of the adhesive layer, otherwise it causes future aggravation. Some sources (very ill-advised, in my opinion) recommend a sprinkling of talc to treat any slight residual adhesive, but I would contend that if talc is used, then the adhesive removal process is not complete.

If Pure Citrus is hard to find, eucalyptus oil will remove gum from self-adhesives, and leave no residue if your work is good. Easy to find worldwide, smells pleasant too.

Curious, I wonder on what basis you made this assumption? By design, stamps are supposed to be "one and done" single-use items. So no need for there to be any kind of chemistry magic and design an adhesive that would know to remain on the stamp and not the envelope/card.

On the basis that I'm a millenial who has not used many stamps in their lifetime.

It's seem like common sense now, but at the time I was scratching my head over it. Probably also because it is preferable to keep gum in tact with mint stamps and I thought it might be the same here.

Don't worry about it...there is a lot to learn and you'll never learn it all. (By the time you get close, you'll start forgetting stuff, and have to learn those things all over again.)

One thing to consider: if you are talking about truly old stamps (19th century) with good cancellation marks, you might do better not to soak the stamp when the value and interest is in the cancellation. Sometimes, the cancellation is rarer than the stamp.

To continue on the theme of NSK's post above.

Finding properly used non-First Day Covers (FDCs), within the correct time period of use, modern self adhesive stamps on cover can be a challenge. As such I would not be quick to trim the envelops. Such entire envelopes add to the information and does " preserve as much of the stamp's integrity as possible."

Once self adhesives are trimmed from the envelope, many collector leave the stamp on the envelope paper which is just trimmed close (NOT INTO) the stamp.

As a newbie, please be aware when soaking that color envelopes, post cards and wrappers can bleed and color the stamps (not good).