Mint Stamps That Have Glued Themselves To Glassine Pagrs

I have 27 mint sheets (at least they used to be) that while in storage glued themselves to the glassine sheets of the stockbook I had them in. What would be the best thing to do to get them loose? the glue is still intact and new looking but they are definitely stuck to the sheets. Any suggestions?

If the stamps are modern (1940s or 50s) and the gum is damaged or in the least bit disturbed, they are no longer of any value to a stamp collector.

If the stamps are only stuck to the glassine sheets in a few places, you can remove them with just about all of the gum intact by carefully painting the back of the glassine with a warm, mild dish detergent solution. Mix a 5% solution of liquid dish detergent in a small container. Use warm water. Carefully paint the solution on the spots that are stuck - painting the back of the glassine, not the stamps. Wait a few minutes, and carefully peel the stamp(s) from the glassine. This method will save you from having to use a glue stick or glue pen when you use the stamps for postage. There will be some curling from the process.

If the whole sheet is stuck, I think you'll probably have to soak it off.

Good luck.

I would start by using a sweat box. It takes a few days, but the results are often superb.

Sticky Solutions

By Mike Michaelski

One way to treat old photos that have something stuck to their back is a sweat box, something stamp collectors have been using for quite some time to gently remove a stamp from a valuable cover. To make one, simply find a plastic container larger than the photograph, wet a sponge, and place the sponge in the bottom of the container. Then build a platform to keep the picture from actually touching the sponge--half a dozen pencils of the right length will do nicely. Then lay the picture on the platform and put the top on.

Wait about a day to open the container, then lay the picture face down and carefully use some tweezers to lift up the black paper. If it does not come off, put some more water on the sponge and give it another day. The concept here is to introduce moisture into the paper and loosen it from the glue, but not to actually wet the photo. Done carefully, this will get all but the most stubborn glues to let go of the paper. The photo will need to be dried between layers of paper towels afterward--actually, it is best if you can find a photo dryer, which is built
precisely for drying photos after they were developed. The main concern will be that the photos will tend to curl up when drying out again.

Previously published in RootsWeb Review: 19 December 2007, Vol. 10, No. 51.

Use the freezer method. It works! NO tools! just freeze the pages and then gently bend them. They will crackle and separate and the gum WILL NOT BE DAMAGED!

I like that TinMan. Does freezing work on regular paper or just on glassine sheets?

Jack Kelley

In my experience, freezing works about 10% of the time but is worth trying. Frankly I've had better luck in the freezer than sitting outdoors in 0 degree temps, but this might also be related to humidity and the level of 'stuckness'. Best results are with slightly stuck stamps to less porous surfaces. Fully stuck sheets to glassines may be 'worse case' situation but wish you success. After freezing, try turning it upside down and run the backside of your stamp tongs across the surface to 'break' the adhesion.
Don

PS - If you have my luck, expect results on the cheapest stamps you have and awful results on the ones you want to save the most!

Hi,
I've also used the freezing method and had perhaps a 25 percent success rate. But to me, partial success definitely makes it worth the effort. I also found that I had to work in steps..... freeze a few hours, pry a portion loose, freeze a few more hours, pry some more, etc., etc.

I agree 100% with KGB's suggestion of the sweat box. I have spent the last few days rescuing a water-damaged Ethiopia mint collection with 100% success. Nearly all of the gum has survived, although it is very obviously sweated to the expert eye. It takes a bit of patience, and you can supplement with steaming (as I did) on particularly stubborn stamps. All stamps needed pressing between kitchen roll afterwards, but they look fine in the collection now.

I've used this method but have ended using them for postage.
Tom