ohiohawk
**Member** 
Posts: 34
What I collect: Mainly US, but also world
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Post by ohiohawk on Mar 12, 2024 17:16:34 GMT
I was going through my stock stamps, and had found that some stamps decided to stick to the glassine, does anyone know how to remove them?? Also in the same problem, how do you keep them from sticking? I do have them in a area that is pretty much climate controled, even though I do live in Ohio, High humidity, freezing cold weather. I also have added gel water absorbers to each box of 3000 envelopes. just to make sure they keep dry. Oh these stams are MNH or Mint-VF so really do not want to loose them to an envelope that is suppose to protect them from said problems.
Thanks in advance,
Ray
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stainlessb
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qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,644
What I collect: currently focused on most of western Europe, much of which is spent on France, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain Queen Victoria
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Post by stainlessb on Mar 12, 2024 17:43:46 GMT
You could try freezing, but these may well end up MNH.MVF ungummed.... that may ultimately be your only option.
No suggestions beyond the silica gels. Fortunately it is not a problem where I live
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ohiohawk
**Member**
Posts: 34
What I collect: Mainly US, but also world
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Post by ohiohawk on Mar 12, 2024 18:25:59 GMT
I would not think about freezing, I have been a collector since 60+ years, and before that, my grandfather was the one who actually started the collection, and his father before him. So knowing that, I care about the stamps, and try my best to keep them perfect. I am not one who is a seller of them, I may give some away to those who are in need of them. but I tend to pass them down to the next generation of family, so they may also enjoy this as I, and those before me have done.
THe stamps are columbian collection (Mint Scott 230 through 244) about 2 of them have done the stuck part. so trying to figure out the safest way to do it. I have heard that the glassine desove in water, but if I do that then I loose the gum. if I have to, I have to. but if there is a safer way.........
Thanks for your input, it was a interesting thought.......
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stainlessb
Member
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,644
What I collect: currently focused on most of western Europe, much of which is spent on France, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain Queen Victoria
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Post by stainlessb on Mar 12, 2024 18:42:49 GMT
I come from a similar background, 60+ years and inherited collections, (unfortunately the next generations show little interest)
the reason for putting in freezer is the gum may release with a slight bit of bending. I should have added that you place them in a zip lock bag before placing in the freezer.
Stamp Lift Fluid is an option, but the gum will be disturbed. If it is just one stamp stuck to the glassine, a Stamp Lift box may work. If you have stamps stacked on top of each other and all are stuck, then I am afraid your options are limited. I am not aware of columbian issues having unstable inks, but I haven't collected US in many years now (others may know). If the ink is stable, soaking will do no harm beyond removing the gum. Not the most idealof solutions, but you will at least have the stamps separated.
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hdm1950
Member
Posts: 1,611 
What I collect: I collect world wide up to 1965 with several specialty albums added due to volume of material I have acquired. At this point I am focused on Canada and British America. I am always on the lookout for stamps and covers with postmarks from communities in Queens County, Nova Scotia. I do list various goods including stamps occasionally on eBay as hdm50
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Post by hdm1950 on Mar 12, 2024 18:55:23 GMT
If it is just a few that are stuck you could try rubbing the glassine side gently with a blunt end of a tweezer. I was told this approach for removing hinges from mint stamps by members on this site and it has worked often. I have tried the freezing with limited success. Hopefully it is not the high values of the Columbian stamps.
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator 
Posts: 5,659
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Mar 12, 2024 19:03:10 GMT
I have heard that the glassine desove in water, ....... Glassines dissolving in water? With my technical background, I highly doubt this. But if you are concerned, then clip a piece of glassine as a test specimen, put it in water, and see what happens. My guess is that it will get soggy, but it won't dissolve. The freezer trick has actually worked for me on occasion. I had some mint stamps that were stuck together, and a few of them separated with only slight bending when they came out of the freezer. Others did not, however, and I ended up needing to soak those and lose the gum. I can totally understand your hesitation since you are handling mint US Columbians, which are quite valuable. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!  |
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,016
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Mar 12, 2024 19:30:48 GMT
If it's a small portion of the stamp that's stuck to the glassine, would it be ok to just carefully cut away the glassine as close as possible, and leave the stamp like that? The stamp stays intact, and that's always best, I'd think. No worse than a hinge remnant stuck to the stamp, yes?
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,924
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Mar 12, 2024 19:44:11 GMT
I was going through my stock stamps, and had found that some stamps decided to stick to the glassine, does anyone know how to remove them?? Also in the same problem, how do you keep them from sticking? I do have them in a area that is pretty much climate controled, even though I do live in Ohio, High humidity, freezing cold weather. I also have added gel water absorbers to each box of 3000 envelopes. just to make sure they keep dry. Oh these stams are MNH or Mint-VF so really do not want to loose them to an envelope that is suppose to protect them from said problems. Thanks in advance, Ray Hi Ray, Glassine does not dissolve in water, it is simply a type of paper rolled many times to flatten and have the fibres lay in one direction, called "Calendering" Modern Glassine is reasonably safe, older glassine is dangerous, 40's 50's 60's ? (often turns brown) and will damage stamps. Glassine will tend to trap humidity Any long time collector, esp "swapping stamps" with colleagues will come across stamps stuck in Glassines I soak and lose the gum. Using other methods I have often ended up with a torn stamp, or the face lifted off. |
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ohiohawk
**Member**
Posts: 34
What I collect: Mainly US, but also world
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Post by ohiohawk on Mar 12, 2024 20:42:43 GMT
rod222 And that is what I am affraid happened, the ones that were older are the ones that did the sticking, they are sort of brown, not sure how old they are, given that this was passed down to me. I did about 3 years ago start to replace the older ones, because they were turning a dar brown, and didnt think it was safe to keep them in those envelopes. So thinking that maybe I can find a good deal on replacements. I use a 3.25" x 4 7/8" (outer size) glassine envelope. god knows what they are on the inside, as far as metric size I have no idea what it is, Sorry no offence to those who use it, I am dumbfounded by it, even when I am woodworking in the summer, its all feet and inches for me.  old school.... curious though rod222, besides being nasty looking, what are the dangers of those older ones? and anyone have an idea where I can get a good deal on the envelopes that I use. (and what is the metric size I am looking for?  Thanks in advance Ray |
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stainlessb
Member
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,644
What I collect: currently focused on most of western Europe, much of which is spent on France, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain Queen Victoria
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Post by stainlessb on Mar 12, 2024 21:05:39 GMT
3.25 x 4 7/8 is a #4 envelope. There are some sellers on e-Bay who sell both boxes of 1000 and also just 100 each.
I've had decent luck with Wizard Coin for just 100 at a time.
I believe the older envelopes will stain/discolor the stamps
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mberry
Member
Posts: 995
What I collect: USA, USA Revenues, Beer Related Stamps and Revenues, US State Revenues, Stamp Show Stamps
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Post by mberry on Mar 13, 2024 0:28:06 GMT
I would also suggest a stamp lift box as suggested by stainlessb earlier in this thread. I have had good luck in the past separating stuck mint stamps without noticeable damage to the gum using a stamp lift box. Problem is finding them in good shape. I found a used one on eBay recently, the sponges did not holdup through the first use. |
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rod222
Member
Posts: 9,924
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Mar 13, 2024 12:50:05 GMT
curious though rod222, besides being nasty looking, what are the dangers of those older ones? and anyone have an idea where I can get a good deal on the envelopes that I use. (and what is the metric size I am looking for? Thanks in advance Ray Hi Ray, Unable to answer that specifically, generally speaking browning (toning) apparently can migrate. I have not any first hand knowledge. (Better to be safe than sorry) I have 6 regular colleagues I swap stamps with, and often, a set of stamps arrive in browned glassines I feel there is no harm for the stamps being in them for a few weeks. or a few days in transit (I could be wrong) I also send stamps similarly. If they are really badly toned, I ditch them, but appreciate my colleagues offer sets in any glassines It save heaps of catalogue thumbing. My preferred size is anything around 4" x 3" that can hold 4-5 stamps separated or heaps jumbled. I have never bought a glassine, they arrive constantly in swaps I bought polypropolene bags, but whilst archival, they are a nightmare, too slippery to handle effectively |
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ohiohawk
**Member**
Posts: 34
What I collect: Mainly US, but also world
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Post by ohiohawk on Mar 14, 2024 1:22:48 GMT
Pretty much how I got most of mine as well, alot from my grandfather, and some from stamp shows. Though it did tend to tick me off that dealers used pen or marker, and wrote darn near the whole front of the envelope. I wonder if they knew about post it notes... LOL
I ordered 200 from wizzard, and 3000 lables from staples. That is how I am covering dealer's who LOVE to Write like a 2 year old. (no offence to good dealers) and I did try the bags I got from my TENS unit for my back pain. they are thick, and have a zipper. but took up too much room when adding more stamps.
I will try the freezer thing, and ordered stamp lifter as well, hopefully it will help with my problems....
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old school....
