Ionian Islands Italian Occupation - Soak Or Not?

In a recent lot, I found the illustrated page with what are obviously favour cancellations of some description. However, the cancels are distinct though I am still trying to discover the name of the city and a proper translation of the bracketed place name at the bottom of the cancel.





My first inclination was to leave the stamps on piece but the paper is very poor quality and is beginning to yellow badly so there is a consideration of damage to the stamps themselves. None have a high monetary value so that really isn't an issue.

Any suggestions or ideas? Any way to at least slow down the process of paper leaching acids? No staining or damage is evident at this point.

I believe the cancels are written in Greek. Italy took control of the Ionians in 1941, after the invasion of Greece by Axis powers.

Italy gave up control after a mere 30 months, so finding these on cover cannot be common.

It would be a shame to remove the stamps from the cover. Before you soak, I would research methods of treating the paper to remove any harsh chemicals that might be causing the yellowing. It would probably be a delicate operation, but considering the stamps themselves are inexpensive, I think you have more to gain by trying to save the cover as apposed to saving just the stamps.

Do Not Touch! It is more valuable & interesting together! Should be framed! Avoid direct sunlight!
depending on it's size a mint sheet plactic sleeve would work in an album format!

Thank you for the suggestions along with the place name info.

It's nice to see that most people do agree with my usual reaction to preserve most anything in its original condition. The plastic sleeve route is my usual course as it's very easy to obtain archival quality storage materials and they also preserve the surrounding pages from possible damage. It has survived for nearly 70 years and I imagine it will last another 40 or so when it becomes someone elses problem.

The idea of framing is also an interesting one but I think some research and writeup might be necessary for that. And perhaps a trip to Corfu in one of our mid-winter months to take some associated photos would be just the thing to set it off. I can dream - it's allowed.

I'm with warrehouse, preserve.

I've seen Archival Mist offered in some supply catalogs (ex. Subway, maybe Amos -- not endorsing either one).
It's used to treat paper to stop or slow aging and it is expensive.

Has anyone tried this product?

In the brackets: apostole (e= as `ei` in `eight`).Probably not a placename. In ancient greek can mean `to send` or `mission` or `to send a fleet`. Here probably `(postal)sending`.
And I would be for keeping in that way.