Checking For Watermarks

Hi everyone

Is there anyway to check for a watermark besides the lighter fluid method?

Thanks

raypie

Several. You could use the "search" function on any page and read a whole pile of threads on the subject.
Of course, you could look at a stamp with a bright back light. Use water. Best of all use watermark fluid,


Peter

A safe version of lighter fluid. It has its pro and cons. See "search" tab for discussions. Many other companies sell this product.

https://www.ihobb.com/p/CLARITY.html

A non liquid method. Again has its pros and cons. Check search.

https://www.safepub.com/signoscope-...-detector-t3

Raypie, You ask a very broad, generic question. The visibility/detectability of watermarks varies significantly country by country. Did you have a specific country and era you are focusing on? Otherwise our replies may have limited applicability. Is there a reason you are seeking alternatives to the (fairly) standard method of watermark fluid or lighter fluid?

If you are looking for Washington-Franklin watermarks; good luck. All of the above plus wet scanning on a computer with color toning. None of them yield satisfactory results. Sorry.

Jack Kelley

One of the great benefits of collecting French stamps is never having to look for a watermark. Does wonders for your collecting pleasure.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I am glad I won't have to look for those on my French Stamps. The watermarks I was currently look for were on my older U.S. stamps. I have a good place to start. Once again thanks everyone.

Because lighter fluid contains a microscpic amount of fat I have tried using a laborotory grade anhydrousn alcohol. I t contains no oils and less water. It works as effectively as Lighterfluid and should theoretically cause less damage to a stamp..

A non liquid method. Again has its pros and cons. Check search.

https://www.safepub.com/signoscope-...-detector-t3
Posted by redwoodrandy above and peaked my interest. Comments Pro or Con on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Paul

If you run Signoscope thru search, there's a bunch of community threads on them, most boil down to "they're expensive" and "they're ok".

I have used the T1 and T2 and strongly prefer the T1. I find the T2 difficult to use and there is a possibility of a stamp getting creased or bent. Use with extreme care. T1 allows compression on the stamp to help see watermarks, however this feature as I recall is not available in the T2.

Have not used the T3, though the idea of color filters to help see watermarks is intriguing. The Signoscope is not a panacea as not all watermarks will be visible. This is particularly true of newer, thick papers used in the 1970s and 80s. But for stamps of normal/average thickness, it works very well. One tip- the highest possible illumination isn't always the best way to see the watermark. Most times, lower to dim light highlights edges of the watermark as you dial the illumination higher or lower.

As far as older thick paper stamps, I don't have the experience to know if the watermarks are difficult to see with a Signoscope.

Those are expensive. Any place rent them?