Soaking British Machins

Hi All

I am just wondering if it is safe to soak the latest 1st Class British Machin stamps that have the 'paper clip' security punch in it w/o the stamps coming apart or disintegrating??

All help appreciated

Chimo

Bujutsu

They are self adhesive so don't soak in water. Keep them on paper or look into using a solvent such as Fuelite to remove them.

I've had some (but not entire) success with an air freshener called Febreze. It has a nitrogen propellant. I spray the paper side and let it soak for a short time. If the timing is right (trial and error with rubbish stamps) then I peel the paper off... DON'T peel the stamp as it will curl and may ruin the security tabs.
Febreze is a UK brand but may be available in the colonies

I, and others in our West Toronto Stamp Club Machin Study Group, use an air freshener called PURE CITRUS. This is a 100% natural, non aerosol product that I purchase at CANADIAN TIRE. Simply spray the paper side, wait a minute or so and the stamp lifts cleanly. I have never damaged a security perforation using this stuff. There is a bonus in that the room smells nice after working on stamps.
GJP

I thought I had read here, trifling with machins, soaking etc,
loses, or can lose the tagging?
Thus the only way to collect with varieties is MUH ?

I too have used pure citrus. It works on US self adhesives too. I get it at the Home Depot.

Thank you all for your help. We have a Canadian Tire and Home Depot store here, so, I will check them out.

I definately won't be soaking them in water.

Chimo

Bujutsu

I would be very concerned about long term damage to a Collection. Natural is great, but nature isn't short of caustic :O Isn't it simpler and better to leave them on their paper, hopefully with some postmark remnant in place?

I close cut any used self adhesive stamp that might give me trouble soaking and leave it on the paper. Especially modern US and modern machins.

I don't soak self-adhesives ever. Too much risk of damage--lesson learned. Leave on paper and clean up the edges with a mount cutter.

This is an extreme example of margins. I usually cut closer, but for this stamp, I wanted to retain the full cancel.

Robert

I have found that a lot of the British SA stamps are quite ok to soak. It is just a case of knowing which ones. Most of my Machins were ok to soak.

I do know NOT to soak the "Horizon" labels, which are those very large 'gold' coloured labels plus a few other types with the 'paper clip' type security cut in them.

Chimo

Bujutsu

Long term prospects of any paper (including stamps) in contact with self-adhesive glue is not good. Therefore, I remove all self-adhesive material from the stamps I select as best copies for my collection. The citrus liquid is good, but a little less effective than lighter fluid. For the process, use a dull xacto blade to minimize the chance of damage to the stamp. Machins are relatively "tough customers" compared to many modern issues. The glue is tough to remove. And, you have to be extra careful because of the 2 security cuts. Practice and a steady hand are the keys. Practice on damaged stamps, or undesirable examples.

Like Trainwreck, I no longer remove the security features self-adhesives. Stanley Gibbons also do not recommend removal now.
I find that cut-squares use up my old never used stamp hinges as well. The results, while not perfect, are acceptable.

My next question is, do we now have to get heavier bond album pages for our binders?

Not really a serious question lol.

Chimo

Bujutsu

I keep my Machins on paper also, damaged too many. I do take off US on some but many of the newer go in with a paper background.

What do the abbreviations under the stamps above represent, like MBIL and MTIL? I have a large backlog of machins to go through and want to know what I am looking for.

Thanks!
Alain