Question About Cleaning And Flattening Stamps Scott #97

I have a mint #97 that may be in need of cleaning or…leave it alone? The #98 is curled and I can't seem to get it to lay flat. What would be the best way to accomplish that? Thanks!

"leave it alone"

Alas, when mint stamps of this era are curled like this, it usually means that they are regummed. Nothing you can do about it.

Used stamps can be gently soaked to allow old hinges and other debris to float off. Press while drying and it will flatten. Mint stamps with a mild curl will lay flat after time in a mount in a book, be it a album or stock book.

Edited for missing space, ed and t.

That will work if the stamp is OG. But not if regummed, the fake gum shrinks.

The #98 is a regum for sure. So is it leave both alone?#128514;

Correct. Do nothing. Leave both alone.

I agree... leave them alone.

Will be left alone. Thanks!

I disagree - a regum is a no-gum stamp with foreign matter on it. . .soak them both.

Without knowing what was used, and without a careful examination of the stamp beforehand (which is a skill in itself), it's not a good idea.

My opinion regarding the 97 is that it appears to have had something adhered to its face at some point which damaged the ink and so attempting to make the toning go away may be wasted effort anyway when it comes to improving the appearance. Besides, the back is a mess.

The 98 should be examined in-hand before soaking off any gum because original gum on these is not common and while I agree that it is likely regummed you cannot undo the gum removal.