Let's See Your Framas And Computer-Vended Stamps

Bob,
how are you lifting the self adhesives off the paper?
I note one has to scan ASAP, the value ink fades rapidly.

Rod, I use lighter fluid. It works very nicely. I can give some suggestions on improving results.

First, it helps to trim excess paper. For me, the margin is about 1/8" from edges of stamp. A craft knife with a dull(ed) blade is used for lifting. I wear disposable nitrile gloves for the work.

The best advice for cleaning older ATMs (such as the Spanish stamps shown above) came from an SCF member. He advised using a small zip lock plastic bag. This is a great idea.

I put 5 or 6 of the stamps into a small (3' x 4" or so) bag, squirt in some lighter fluid, close up the bag, and let the solvent work on the self adhesive for 15 to 30 minutes. I fish out one stamp with tongs and attempt some patient prying and separation. If the stamp does not cooperate, I just put it back in the bag and let the lighter fluid continue its softening work. It never works to try to force the issue with these stamps.

Once a stamp is free of the paper, the work of cleaning off the self-adhesive material begins. Holding the stamp with tongs, a little lighter fluid is applied to the back. Then the stamp is placed "gum up" on a piece of scrap paper. The gum is scraped off. This step must be repeated a few times until your light shows that there are no bumps on the solvent-coated paper surface.

At this point, wiping the remaining gum is done. A "napkin type" paper works well...soft, but not too soft. After wiping the back clean, then you will want to wipe clean the front, because the self adhesive will most often find its way around the edges of the stamp. Wiping the front should be done very gently, because offset inks will sometimes soften with the solvent. The Irish ATMS especially can be ruined with little effort.

As a final note, the cleaned stamps are straightened out. The prying process can sometimes deform the paper. To straighten it, I use a bone folder. This is a bookbinding tool, which is very effective for all kinds of paper manipulation. For stamps, I prefer using a teflon bone folder. In this case, the stamp is very slightly moistened to loosen the fibers. Then it is placed between two pieces of hot press paper stock (or, preferably laminated end paper scraps), and then it is rubbed with the blunt end of the bone folder. If this is to be done successfully, then 2 things are critical: the stamp must be clean of any self-adhesive residue, and the buffer sheets must be a stock which will not stick to the stamp.

That is the process. There is always trial and error (experience) in any endeavor like this. A person will have his/her own preferred techniques.

Wow! Fabulous. Thanks Bob.
Using Bestine wasn't working, albeit most of my meters are on Postcard fragments.
I have a surgical scalpel, and wafer the Postcard to give better absorption

Look forward to trying your method.

Here are some varieties of Germany's fifth ATM design, the "Briefkasten" or letterbox label. This stamp was introduced on April 4, 2002.

The first scan shows the following:
1.) top label. This one is unprinted/unvalued. Michel calls this "Leerfeld"
2.) middle label. It has misaligned printing.
3. )bottom label. Miscut by machine. Complete sprocket holes on bottom, and none on top.

The second scan shows misprinting. The first and second images could have been caused by a paper jam, or they could be the result of "monkey business" by the user. The bottom image shows a typical blind print on part of the value.

The third scan shows an incorrect setting on the machine. The small posthorn before the numbers indicates a setting used for the 4th series "Posthorn" labels. Please excuse the color on this scan; my scanner has trouble with reds and oranges and "wanted to show the posthorn label with a red frame, so adjustment cannot be perfectly correct.

The fourth scan shows an incorrect setting on the machine. The "Briefkasten" label has been used in a machine reset for use with the succeeding "Brandenburg Gate/Skyline" series.

1991
36 Countries using ATM or Frama. See note at end.
Australian Stamp News 1991 Sel Pfeffer.

New Zealand.

Papua New Guinea.

Printing Details.

Arrived across the desk this afternoon.
Netherlands 2002 Variable Rate Stamp.

Missing those sets Michael.

Have never seen a used Turkish ATM stamp. Maybe they haven't "caught on", or maybe the postal service doesn't see a need to buy the machines.

Me either.

These sets were issued in the early '90s. There were 3 sets issued - but none since. They actually still print real postage stamps - not stickers...

These are from my accumulation of Netherlands meters from the euro era, i.e. 2001 to recent. They are not Framas and they are not computer-vended stamps. They were not sold from a machine so that you could use them next week, or at your convenience. They were applied by a postal employee when the letter or parcel was mailed, so they were valid only as used at that specific place and time.

These are all close to being the same size, although the scan sizes vary. The postal counter imprinting on these is thermal, except for the laser imprinting of the last/latest meters.

First scan shows three different types of what I believe are the earliest. They are inscribed PTT POST on the red band in the center. First label has "f" (franco/paid?) rather than the euro symbol for value paid. Second label has the same printer settings (NEDERLAND, etc) but the euro symbol is used. Third stamp has different printer settings, with Nederland being in small type at the left. All of mine date from 2001-06.

Second scan labels are inscribed TPG POST in the red band. Again, there are two printer settings. Mine date from 2003-07.

Third scan shows different label style with black TPG Post imprint. Vertical die cuts on label are small "sawtooth" on one type. Mine date from 2003-09.

Fourth scan shows same label type as third scan , but with TNT Post imprint. Nederland is in all capital letters on one printer setting type. Mine date from 2008-11.

Last scan shows most recent NL meters that I have. These are laser prints. One type is domestic use, the other two are priority/airmail for international mail. One priority indica has the Post NL logo inscribed within it. Two of these labels are preprinted with large, light gray "post nl and crown" logos. Mine date from 2013-17.

In the introduction to the Michel Automaten-Spezial catalog, there are profiles of the important computer/vending machine manufacturers of ATM stamps. Regarding the Swiss company Frama AG, Michel refers to them as "the pioneer of this area of postal automation.

If a person searches through cover boxes at stamp shows, he/she may well find Swiss metered covers which look very much like "Frama" covers. Technically, they probably are Frama covers, because Frama manufactured meter machines for the Swiss postal service long before the concept of self-serve, variable rate stamps for individual customers was applied.

Meters are created and applied by postal employees , or office employees for immediate, specific use, whereas ATM stamps are purchased from a postal vending machine, and can be used at any time in the future.

Here are four Swiss meter items, and one Swiss ATM stamp. Perhaps four were created/printed on Frama equipment. It is certain that two were.

The first pic shows an official meter of the town of Lausanne. Cancel is 18.4.46. It appears that the labels were on a perforated coil roll.

Second pic is a metered business cover of the Luwa S.A. of Zurich. Cancel is 15.XII.58.

Third pic is self-adhesive, die cut meter. Cancel is 1.7.74. This is very unlikely to be a Frama printing. All Framas that I have ever seen, have water soluble gum.

Fourth pic is meter with Zurich 20.6.85 cancel. Yellow background printing on label is "FRAMA" in repeated lines. This label appears to have been on a rouletted coil roll.

Fifth pic is an actual Swiss ATM stamp issued in 1993. It is Michel #5.

Note how similar the designs are from 1946 - 1993. All have the post horns,Swiss crosses, and "P" on both sides of the value tablet.