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Post by nagachilli on Feb 5, 2021 16:09:23 GMT
Hi.My question is I have been removing stamps from envelopes using a saucer of water, some stamps appear, to slide off the paper, others seem stuck fast to the envelope, is this due to the the type of envelope, example, Manila or white bond paper used. I have have also noticed that UK definitives are harder to get off the paper?
I am guessing that stamps are manufactured by the same printing company at least in the UK. Because thousands of sheets of stamps are quite valuable.
So I am again guessing the same adhesive is used on each batch. But must vary depending on age, old stamp old glue, newish stamp modern adhesive.
Again many variables come into play. Age, Dryness, paper used, storage conditions.
Once off I let them dry naturally, then press them to flatten them out.
Also are Machins definatives.? This has confused me.
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stainlessb
Member 
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,643
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 Feb 5, 2021 16:57:59 GMT
First if the stamps are old, be aware that some of the early inks were a bit water soluble, so if in doubt soak a single stamp (and one that's not in great condition)
I soak in very warm water with a drop of clear liquid dish soak. As the stamps start to separate, I transfer them to a second bowl of very warm water (as a rinse)- some stamps have really stubborn gums (early Austria comes to mind) and once the stamp separates from the paper, if I can feel that there is still gum on the stamp I will soak longer and/or make up another bowl of warm water with some hydrogen peroxide as this seems to help (and if you search the forum, there is a thread on other methods to deal with the stubborn adhesives. I then blot using sack cloth towels, and then place between paper towels and put a weight on top for several days. If you don't get all the gum off, there is the risk the stamp will stick to the paper towel (and then you'll have to soak again). There are drying books, but I have never owned/used one.
Many of the later stamps are self-adhesives and these do not soak off well with water. There is a orange oil product that seems to work well (see elsewhere on forum for more info). I don't collect much beyond the 60's so this is typically not something I have to deal with
As to paper, thicker paper cardstock/cardboard takes much longer to soak.
lastly- on earlier stamps you may find a hinge remnant held on with a black tar-like adhesive.... I find these very difficult and now will often just leave as-is
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,355 
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Feb 5, 2021 17:51:37 GMT
How long do you wait? I just soak for about 20 minutes and most have separated by then.
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stainlessb
Member
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,643
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 Feb 5, 2021 19:18:56 GMT
about the same, sometimes the cardboard mailers that come from Europe take a bit longer- most separate within 10 minutes
and I usually soak maybe 100 or more at a time, so the the last ones out could be in the water for 30-40 minutes (including rinse
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guilloutran
Member
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Colllecting France
Posts: 202
What I collect: Western Europe (pre-Euro), France and colonies (pre-1995), United States and Canada (pre-1980, engraved ->2000), British colonies and United Kingdom (engrave to 2000)
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Post by guilloutran on Feb 6, 2021 8:35:01 GMT
Usually, it’s really easy to remove stamps of paper (unless it’s self adhesive). You just have to add it to water and wait for sometimes. They’ll came of just fine, the method is applicable for hinges as well(don’t be like me and try to peel the hinges off).
If you’re impatient and you don’t have any potentially valuable stamps then you could use mild-hot water, they’ll came off much quicker.
It’s worth to note that some type of paper take much more time to be remove. And don’t soak stamps that is on color paper together with other stamps because the color of the paper might comes off and your stamps will be damaged.
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napo
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Could I write my introduction here?
Posts: 40
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Post by napo on Feb 7, 2021 3:05:07 GMT
I have no problem removing stamp from the paper by soaking them in the water; they just come off easily after 15 or 20 minutes. My problem is with the self adhesive stamps; they do not come off even though you put them in the water for a long time, and it sad to lose them. Can anyone help?
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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 Feb 7, 2021 8:59:50 GMT
napo : If you are interested in more info about soaking in general, and how to remove self-adhesives from paper in particular, please see this thread: thestampforum.boards.net/thread/4868/soaking-removing-stamps-covers
Moderator Note: In finding answers to some of the questions in this new thread, I have noticed that there are already multiple threads about soaking stamps, so I will probably end up combining them all into one thread at some point later today.Request to all: Questions are most definitely encouraged, but before starting new threads with questions, please take a few minutes to do a search of the boards to see if your topic already exists. It is better practice to have longer, more comprehensive threads on a particular topic than lots of short threads of just a few posts, which are often covering the same topic as 3-4 existing threads. If we all work together on this, we can make TSF the best resource possible. OK, I'll get off my soap box now!
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
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What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Feb 7, 2021 9:10:03 GMT
Also are Machins definitives? This has confused me. Although it is off-topic in a thread about soaking stamps, I will also respond to this last point (see quote). Yes, Machins are considered as definitives. For a pretty extensive lexicon of philatelic terms, please see this thread: thestampforum.boards.net/thread/168/stamp-collecting-termsPersonally, I think of definitives as sort of opposite to commemoratives. The meaning of the term "commemorative stamp" should be almost self-explanatory: the stamp commemorates a specific subject, such as an event, person, place, anniversary, etc. So, if a stamp doesn't commemorate anything specific, then it is likely a definitive. A Machin fits that description, as it doesn't commemorate anything in particular. Hope this helps. |
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angore
Member
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What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Feb 7, 2021 11:38:37 GMT
Commemoratives supposedly have a limited printing period (maybe one production run) and while definitives will be reprinted as needed to meet demand. Machins are definitely definitives. What has changed things is the forever (or similar term rate) so fewer different definitives. There are no expansive sets like in the past of many denominations and in the US the post office prefers printed on demand postage for over the counter mailings.
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guilloutran
Member
Account Temporarily Disabled
Colllecting France
Posts: 202
What I collect: Western Europe (pre-Euro), France and colonies (pre-1995), United States and Canada (pre-1980, engraved ->2000), British colonies and United Kingdom (engrave to 2000)
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Post by guilloutran on Feb 7, 2021 13:45:24 GMT
I have no problem removing stamp from the paper by soaking them in the water; they just come off easily after 15 or 20 minutes. My problem is with the self adhesive stamps; they do not come off even though you put them in the water for a long time, and it sad to lose them. Can anyone help? Self-adhesive don’t come off by water, simply because oil is water resistant. You’ll need something that dissolve the oil. Classically, we use Bestine to dissolve the oils. It’s also evaporate quick which will not damage the stamps. You could in theory use acetone, it does work on some stamps but it’ll completely deface some other, I’m not suggesting. |
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guilloutran
Member
Account Temporarily Disabled
Colllecting France
Posts: 202
What I collect: Western Europe (pre-Euro), France and colonies (pre-1995), United States and Canada (pre-1980, engraved ->2000), British colonies and United Kingdom (engrave to 2000)
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Post by guilloutran on Feb 7, 2021 13:47:38 GMT
Hi.My question is I have been removing stamps from envelopes using a saucer of water, some stamps appear, to slide off the paper, others seem stuck fast to the envelope, is this due to the the type of envelope, example, Manila or white bond paper used. I have have also noticed that UK definitives are harder to get off the paper? I am guessing that stamps are manufactured by the same printing company at least in the UK. Because thousands of sheets of stamps are quite valuable. So I am again guessing the same adhesive is used on each batch. But must vary depending on age, old stamp old glue, newish stamp modern adhesive. Again many variables come into play. Age, Dryness, paper used, storage conditions. Once off I let them dry naturally, then press them to flatten them out. Also are Machins definatives.? This has confused me. Short answer: Machin are definitive. They have been ever since 1967 and until now. In fact, you could fine this out in a quick google search. Wikipedia have an article on it. |
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philatelia
Member
Captain Jack - my best kiloware find ever!
Posts: 3,408
What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Feb 7, 2021 16:12:59 GMT
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Londonbus1
Moderator
Cinderella Stamp Club Member 3059
Posts: 4,884
What I collect: Cinderellas and some Ephemera from Great Britain, France and Israel plus a few beautiful bits from elsewhere !! Topical interests include Flags & Judaica, the latter with an emphasis on the Jewish National Fund.
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Post by Londonbus1 on Feb 8, 2021 15:37:17 GMT
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