Mounting Medium Leached Into Stamps. Can They Be Restored?

Hi! I recently received an estate box that contained an old Crusader Stamp Album. All of the stamps are mounted in plastic sleeves, the stamps themselves are not adhered to the pages. However, it looks like the adhesive used on the plastic has leached through and into the stamps. Is there anything that can be done to help restore these stamps?

I'm very new to stamp collecting amd greatly appreciate any advice! Thanks!!

It appears to me that someone used scotch tape rather than glassine hinges and if that is the case the answer is no, there is not anything to be done because the adhesive is in the paper. Thankfully, the stamps you show have essentially no value. Not trying to be harsh, just truthful.

It isn't, I think, the mounting strips, but the hinges that were originally used in the stamps. (they could be tape, rather than hinges). Beyond help, in my experience.

Rodham - no worries, I knew these were nothing special, they were just a good group to show the marks.

GeoffHa - oh interesting, perhaps someone removed the bad adhesive and then stored them in this album. That would help explain why the damage isn't consistent on all stamps.

Thanks both!!

That kind of greasy stain can be nearly removed with lighter fluid, and maybe other similar solvents, but traces remain. Scotch tape or Sellotape can be removed using the same if it hasn't gone hard- I've just had to remove some from a 160-year-old Kunisada print. Otherwise if it's gone hard it's staying there!

to the forum!

It looks as if the same small pieces of double-sided adhesive tape were used to stick the stamps to the mounts and the mounts to the page. As a beginner to stamp collecting, you now know that that's one of the things it's inadvisable to do!

The stamps are hopelessly damaged, but you can still study them, if you're interested.