Questions, Questions

Hello folks, bought a catalog, 50 bucks of stamps, (off paper, and an old album).

The stuff looks rough, but every stamp is a place holder until a better one comes around.

So many of these stamps have bent up and squished perfs and the old album ( I am thinking I paid too much for the album, but we all have to start someplace) has hinges etc. would soaking and drying with some books to press them help this stuff? Some of these things are from the 1880's or so, so I am not sure if the paper will take it.

I have been reading about the self adhesive stamps and what to do about them, some people would just keep them on the paper they came on. While I can see their point but when the postage is on brown paper, or on top of Tape, or wrinkled, etc.: they do not look so hot. Sorry appearance counts. So remove the stamps, but they still have bent perfs, wrinkles, etc. Now it would make sense to wet them and press them dry, but they still stick to wax paper, tape everything I've tried. endless soaking results until the stamp itself dissolves, good looking glue though. So how does one dry and press these stamps. the Post Office ships them with paper that peels off them, what kind of paper is that?

Thanks for listening any help is appreciated.

welcome to the forum Joe...Can you post some pictures to see what you see...?

Welcome to the site, Yes, the paper from the 1880's will withstand a little soak and even mild dishsoap if nedded. To dry and press the stamps afterwards, use heavy blotting paper. There are drying books avaible, but paper towels with a smooth finish will also work.

I'm sure that this will suprise you, it sure did me! But to remove self adhesive stamps from whatever their stuck on, use non-aerosol, all natural, citrus-based air freshner. Read this article from the APS.

http://www.rpsc.org/video/soakaps.pdf

Hello Joe, welcome to Stamp Community!



Yes, I agrre with littleriverphil. I use Desert Magic books myself, but you sometimes I use just plain typewriter paper folded in half, put the stamps from paper towels in the middle and then inside an old phone book and another on top.

The new stamps, peel and stick or self-adhesive type, on some kind of poly-paper or something (not sure, depends on printers from different countries) can also use the mineral spirits method as talked about on SCF here before and a video on U-tube, using a metal ruler I think. Haven't used it myself yet, too busy accumulating.


I am still up in the air about them myself, as KGV_Collector in Australia, with some hard to remove Australia stamps there, has figued out a method to just soak them, but his water may be diffferent maybe.

I have some France stamps that are difficult to get off and with thinner paper too, but I have seen them on ebay and elsewhere soaked off so am still investigating. Some coming I the mail soon too.

Some people have suggested using salt in the water helps too.

I dod want to collect the flag series US soon also myself.

"I have seen them on ebay and elsewhere soaked off so am still investigating"

My investigation is over for the soaking. The paper just doesn't come off cleanly, end up rubbing the stamp to death. I will give the citrus a try, and try and find some inorganic talc, Not baby powder.

Good to know that I can soak and press those old, misused, neglected stamps.

Joe.

I think I'll try that Pure Citrus air freshener trick myself.


-IBFS

I have followed the discussions on collecting self adhesives in the APS journal. As a paper restorer and a collector of modern computer stamps, I have my own opinion based on a good amount of experience. The longer you leave self adhesive material on paper, the bigger your problem will be. The adhesive stabilizes over time by first liquefying, and then crystallizing in the paper/stamp to create a ruined mess. Removing the adhesive completely is the best option...and, the sooner the better. Also, the ease of removal will vary depending on the stamp. Modern U.S. issues are easy, With a few exceptions, such as the 37cent flag coils. I prefer to use lighter fluid with an ax to knife with a dull blade. Apply some fluid to front and back while holding stamp with tongs. When saturated, the stamp will easily pry off. Then, apply more fluid to the back of the stamp, and carefully scrape back of stamp on a flat surface you have protected with scrap paper. After several scrapings, you can finish the job by removing the last of the residue with a fluid-moistened paper towel. The citrus fluid works also. It just takes a little longer.

I was reading where someone was using a product called Orange solvent to remove the stamp from the paper and to remove the gum from the stamp. Someone else was using mineral spirits. So I found this stuff called Citrus Solvent.

http://www.realmilkpaint.com/citrus.html