cardguy
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Post by cardguy on Jul 6, 2014 19:02:43 GMT
I know I have soaked stamps to get them off the paper when I was a child. I also used watermark fluid to check for watermarks.
If I remember correctly, checking gummed stamps for watermarks with the fluid will leave the gum intact. Would it be that way for water also........I would think not but anyone know for sure?
Also, would soaking stamps with or without gum get stamp hinge pieces off (watermark fluid or water)?
Thanks,
Robert
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Post by stoltzpup on Jul 6, 2014 19:41:13 GMT
Water will remove all gum, or at least loosen it and make it sticky. Hinges come off with water soaking, even some stains if a very mild bleach solution is added. But remember, each time a stamp soaks, it's fibers and colors are jeopardized.
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Post by dptashny on Jul 7, 2014 11:53:32 GMT
In addition, some stamps are worth more on cover/ cover fragment than off paper. I rarely soak my stamps and suggest that you do the same.
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cardguy
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Post by cardguy on Jul 7, 2014 13:38:51 GMT
Really? I knew that on a full cover was better for some stamps but cover fragments. Wow. Did not know that. My intentions for soaking was mainly to clean off stamp hinge remnants.
Thanks for the info.
Robert
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I.L.S.
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I am in Clearfield, Pa. I love US Classic covers!
Posts: 2,113
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Post by I.L.S. on Jul 7, 2014 14:17:58 GMT
if it was hinged ten a good chance it is a gummed stamp. Both the hinge AND the gum will completely come off with a little warm water. You may add a mild dish detergent to your water to clean them up a bit if necessary but like mentioned it can jeopardize your stamps especially if you have any on chalky paper or a fugitive ink. Also, any stamps on a colored envelope should be soaked (if you must) separately as the dye from the envelope paper will stain your other stamps. Just use common sense and a little care and you'll do just fine! I can't stress enough to actually know about the stamps ahead of time to know if the inks are of a fugitive type or not and that the paper types aren't "hydrophilic" (for lack of a better word) or ruined by the water.
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tomiseksj
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Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
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What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Jul 7, 2014 14:50:17 GMT
If you havn't already found out, most modern self-adhesive stamps will not soak off of the paper they are attached to when immersed in water. This AP article provides some options for removing self-adhesives. |
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cardguy
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Post by cardguy on Jul 7, 2014 18:15:38 GMT
OK Some more good info to keep in mind. I knew this was the place to come..................
Robert
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codeye
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Post by codeye on Jul 8, 2014 6:45:17 GMT
Personally I wouldnt try soaking Self Adhesives, keep them on piece trim the backing to uniform if the postmark allows you to. I have seen many self adhesives disintegrate.
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philatelia
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What I collect: Ireland, Japan, Scandy, USA, Venezuela, Vatican, Bermuda, Austria
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Post by philatelia on Jul 8, 2014 18:41:56 GMT
I heartily agree. I've seen self-adhesive gum "soaked" using many methods. Sure, sometimes they come out fine - some issues have a dissolving layer that makes it possible to remove them easily. BUT, I've seen soooooo many soaked whose surface has cracked or flaked or been ruined in so many ways. I'd leave them on piece if it were my stamp. The colors and fronts look so much crisper, fresher and undamaged.
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Philatarium
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Los Angeles, CA
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What I collect: Primarily focused on Japan, but lots of other material catches my eye as well ...
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Post by Philatarium on Jul 8, 2014 20:29:46 GMT
And Scott says that used self-adhesives neatly trimmed on piece are valued the same as soaked off, which pretty much acknowledges that our customs and practices have to change for self-adhesives.
Note for mint that Scott says that have to be on their original backing paper. (I know some people used to re-position them onto other backing paper, or move them around to create better spacing before trimming. Otherwise, often a number have to used for postage in order to create the margins one needs for trimming.)
-- Dave
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Philatarium
Member
Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,032
What I collect: Primarily focused on Japan, but lots of other material catches my eye as well ...
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Post by Philatarium on Jul 8, 2014 20:36:54 GMT
Here is the direct quote:
From item 9 on the "Understanding the Listings" section at the beginning of each volume. (In the 2014 volume 4, which is what I have handy at the moment, that's page 14A.)
-- Dave
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