Mounted Stamps Question

Newbie here - this is my first post in the stamp collecting forum.

I apologize if this is off topic or in the wrong category!

My question is this - I just bought an old stamp collection on ebay - about 800 stamps which I assume are mounted (with that little blue piece of dried up tape). The stamps are mounted onto old graph paper.

Because the collection is not entirely complete I'd like to remove the stamps from their hinges and reorganize them into a stock book.

Can somebody tell me what is the best way of removing the hinges? Or, should they not be removed? Are there any other factors that need to be considered when attempting to remove the hinges? I'd prefer to put them in a stock book...

Thanks again!

Welcome JBU:

The good news is that older hinges are usually quite "peelable."

Try peeling one off the graph paper first -- it should release with gentle pressure. In my opinion, it's much easier if you use Stamp Tongs -- you can grasp the hinge with the tongs then "roll" them to remove the hinge.

IF you find I'm wrong, don't forcibly remove the hinges, you might damage the stamp. Some brands of newer hinges are a LOT less 'peelable' despite the advertising.

If the stamps are used, you might want to soak them to remove the hinges. Use the search button above and the keyword SOAK to find dozens of discussions about that issue.

If the stamps are mint and/or you don't want to soak them, you can always mount them in your album with the Hinge Remnant still attached.

Keep asking questions as you move forward. We're full of advice around here

Kirk

Hi! Welcome to the Forum!! I do believe you will find the folks here are always willing to help out and have a fount of knowledge.

As I am going through the removal of stamps from old albums and prepping them for the new album, I was all fired up to answer your questions. But after reading Kirk's post, there is nothing I can add - except of course to second his suggestions.

One thing..........I've run into several different kinds of hinges, and there are some that require more soaking than others. These that I've run into look like bits of Scotch tape rather than normal hinge material. They will come off, it just takes a bit more time in the bath.

Thanks for your advice! Appreciate it!

If you find the stamps are used, it is a good idea to give them a bath.

You should use warm water.

Put them in a few at a time and let them sit for a 3-5 minute period.

Layout a paper towel.

Using a pair of stamp tongs, carefully remove the stamps from the bath and lay them out with spacing around them on the paper towel.

When you have all the stamps that you've soaked on the first run out of the bath, place another paper towel on top of the stamps carefully.

You can keep stacking several paper towel layers atop each other. When done, place a final paper towel on top, then place a large, fairly weighty book on top (phone books work well, depending on how big yours is).

Let them dry overnight.

In the morning, carefully remove the top layer of paper towels. Make sure no stamps are stuck to it. Put it aside.

Remove the stamps which are exposed and place them in a stock book.

Continue until all the stamps have been removed, saving the paper towels.

If you have more stamps which need a bath, you can reuse the paper towels.

Stamps which were stored in the manner you explained probably have been exposed to higher levels of sulphur and acidity than is good for them. By giving them a bath, you help reduce the materials which may have migrated to the stamps, as well as dirt and old hinges.

Have fun!

By the way, welcome to the Forum!

Yes! I posted this question 4.5 years ago and forgot about the forum. Just rediscovered it and logged back in and found this old question of mine. Since that time I've broken down a handful of old stamp collections on hinges and have been doing a variety of stamp things, so thanks again for the feedback! Glad to be back!!

These may be hinges. (very user friendly and should peel off very easy without damage,no need to soak)

The only downside, you can sometimes see the blue colour through the stamp.

I imagine most folks are no longer using hinges and using stock books instead.

Hinges are still popular.

So folks are still using hinges and creating their own layouts on that graph paper?

Most collectors either use hinges, or mounts, or Vario sheets, in albums for their main "collection". Most stock books are used to hold duplicates. I'm using most because there are exceptions to every rule. If you want to use a stock book, go right ahead. A stock book doesn't allow for any but the most general type of organizing. John