Soaking / Removing Stamps From Envelopes

And nail polish remover is basically acetone, available from paint/home improvement stores. Use sparingly and in a well-ventilated area.

I believe the active ingredient in the pure citrus is limonene. Works like a charm - I've been using it going on probably 10 years with no ill side effects

Matt

Reviving this thread for a question. It seems like the solutions explored here are still the best bag of tricks for releasing self-adhesives.

Now for my related question. I'm getting ready to start processing some NZ kiloware. How can I tell in advance which stamps are the self-adhesives? The US ones are (somewhat) clearly marked in the Scott Catalog, but do I just assume all recent definitives from GB, NZ and AUS are self-adhesives? It seems like many are clear from the perfs and stamp thickness (thin-ness really), but some I go back and forth on. Any rules of thumb from the group?

A magnifying glass used with a good light source will show the sharp die cuts on the perf tips of the self-adhesive stamps.

Alan,
From Left to right : Australia
Bestine, Bestine, Cold Water.


PS: Sent my Australian and France Duplicates over to you.

I am about to soak Australia, both water, but these Manila covers stain stamps, so trying using a paint brush in cold water on back, as soon as release occurs, into a fresh bowl of cold water.

Thank you for the illustrations, Rod. This is very helpful.

Alan

Warm water usually works. Just take time when you transfer the stamps from the water to a towel for drying. Cutting the excess paper on the sides works best.

Not for me, bad advice in my opinion,
there are literally thousands of stamps minutely faded by the addition of heat.
Compare your warm water soakings to genuine stamps.
That may alter you opinion.

I soak them into hot water. Self adhesives, on any type of envelopes.

Once they release, off the go into a bowl with clean ( hot ) water to a second bath

Drying on paper towel, then into a book to flaten. Voila