Glue Bleed On 1930-S FDCs

Stampman2002 had this comment on 6/5/17: "The big thing, which no one has mentioned, is condition. Most of the envelopes of the period used a glue which, over time, tended to become very dark and would bleed through to the front of the cover. This migration and staining destroys the value of the cover. I will not add any cover to the collection which exhibits that kind of deterioration. One of the ways I keep the covers I have from developing that is to insert a clean glassine inside the cover. This prevents the back of the cover, where the glue was used, from migrating to the front. If your covers are open and clean, it would be a good idea to do this to help preserve them."

I have followed his advice on unsealed FDCs. Unfortunately, the majority my 1930s FDCs are sealed. Is there a method to safely unseal those envelopes and place the insert to prevent their deterioration?

That is a nice Anderson cachet. I would probably just sleeve it and not worry about it, since it looks like it has migrated through already...

The only method I know of opening it is steaming. Even after you do that, it won't change the staining that already exists.

John

Hello.
I do something destructive with FDC like that that doesn't bring any data behind.
I cut it out and only keep the front.
Regards.

I would cut out a piece of acid free paper large enough to fill the envelope. The glue will stain that paper, instead of the front. Over time, this paper will have to be replaced. But this will stop the damage to the front from getting worse. One could also insert archival mylar to accomplish the same thing.

This should be an example to people who want to make nice cover: Use Archival Materials.

85 years ago no one was thinking that way......

There is a deacidification spray, Bookkeeper is its name, that will neutralize the acids in the glue and retard its spread. A link to the product is below. Pricey stuff though.

It needs to be applied before the acid starts to migrate to the front of the cover, and an acid free paper insert used to block the migration is also best practice.

It does not remove the acid stains already on the paper.

https://archival.com/deacid.html

DonSellos
former archivist

I would be inclined to open the envelope the way it was intended to be used. Carefully slit it open along the top and insert a stuffer card.

Sometines called with the misnomer "flap marks"

Each od us has to decide what we find acceptable and unacceptable.

I certainly find it distracting, but I have seen far worse examples. I've also seen examples where inserts have caused toning (old newspaper articles being one bad example).