rod222
Member 
Posts: 11,047 
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Sept 7, 2013 18:40:41 GMT
Hypothetical.
Lovely Scott #4, Block of 6 from Unknowniskan, CV $910 1875
Mint unhinged but perf holes are a little concerning, and foxing is evident around the perimeter of the block.
Are there people around who take on this sort of work? clean and repair stamps professionally, without injury,
who know how to deal philatellically with rare items?
Thanks.
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tomiseksj
Moderator 
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
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 Sept 8, 2013 0:49:26 GMT
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Post by stoltzpup on Sept 8, 2013 1:09:04 GMT
I had a local "old paper" expert restore a stamp, and it was a disaster, not remotely displayable after he finished with it. Fortunately it was not an expensive stamp, and I had chosen it for that reason -- to see how well he would do with it before I gave him something more valuable. So I learned. Most restoration services charge a percentage of the catalog value, so why not send them a few less expensive items to try them out before sending the $910 Unknowniskans? Conversely, learn to appreciate the foxing. Maybe there's an image of Jesus or Mary hiding in it and you can sell it on ebay for $1M+.
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rod222
Member
Posts: 11,047
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps, Ephemera and Catalogues
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Post by rod222 on Sept 8, 2013 2:52:15 GMT
Great stuff. Thank you both. Like that link, like the ethics. Like the price.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2013 2:07:24 GMT
I can do a lot to help a stamp and my experiments of over 10 years ago give me a great background to strive into this area that is normally described as deception or doing the wrong thing.
With this type of work I can tell if someone has used bleach on a stamp before I get it. etc. A lot of the info I will not share because it can be very easily misused. I can make flaws on KGV's as easy as. Very sad really. I trust no one.
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Post by Perfs14 on Sept 12, 2013 5:37:51 GMT
I concur with Rod, it's a great link and I really like the ethics displayed in it. I have a couple of stamps that I would like repaired for my own satisfaction not for re-sale. I might look into it more fully in the near future. Thanks!  |
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
Posts: 5,911
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Aug 17, 2020 11:40:12 GMT
Although this thread was originally created to ask about professional services for restoration of damaged stamps, as a practitioner of "philatelic surgery" to improve stamps with hinge or paper remnants on them, you can imagine that I would be interested in this related topic. I was reminded about this by a recent post by Alex ( vikingeck) in the Whatcha Been Stamping? thread: So, Alex, are you willing to share some advice on how you plan to repair your latest acquisition? I would really appreciate learning about how this is done, as I have a couple of stamps that are torn into two pieces that I would like to make into decent-looking space-fillers, if possible.  Samoa, Sc7a, SG8 2-shilling red brown |
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vikingeck
Member
Posts: 3,551
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on Aug 17, 2020 12:21:13 GMT
Well Chris Beryllium Guy it is a sad tale indeed. The damage proved worse than expected as the paper structure had been partially destroyed (acidic atmosphere rendered it brittle) Knowing the ink was resilient, I gave it a HOT Water bath to soften grease and gunge and this would normally have worked. It did clean and improve the cleanliness but some particularly dark brown glue at the top by the fracture proved the undoing. It seems it was only the glue holding it together and the tiny flap, and more, gave way altogether. My hands are not as steady as they were. It is still a space filler, cleaner than it was but now sadly more damaged than before I started! Cleaning was a success but repairing was not! It was cheap, so I only have tiny regrets. It was worth a small bid to set me a challenge, I should have proceeded more slowly but then patience was never one of my virtues I'm told  It sits as a rebuke on the page waiting for an expensive purchase to replace it. Someday one will turn up. |
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator
Posts: 5,911
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Aug 17, 2020 13:56:30 GMT
Well Alex ( vikingeck ), I am sorry to hear that the project has not worked out as hoped. I am sure that it is not much consolation, but as the saying goes, I have "been there and done that" myself. I have ruined a few of my acquisitions in the process of trying to "improve" them! So, I am sorry it has happened to you this time. Would you mind if I asked for an indulgence, anyway? Do you have a more successful repair job that you could talk about or show as an example? I am actually mostly interested in learning about the tools, materials, and techniques used for making repairs. - How were you planning to do it? Any particular strategy for best results?
- What sort of considerations go into the process?
- Do you use any special kind of fixture to hold the stamp while working?
- How about materials? What sort of glue works best? Are there different kinds for repairing a tear versus sealing a hole?
- How do you handle the drying? Is it safe to press flatten, similar to after soaking, or does that not work well when wet glue is involved?
Anyway, I hope my request isn't asking too much. If it is, then feel free just to let it go. But if you are willing, I would would love to learn more about how to do simple repairs. As it stands, I wouldn't even know what kind of glue to use or how to apply it for best results. Any comments you are willing to offer on this subject would still be greatly appreciated. Sorry again about this most recent result. |
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
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 Aug 17, 2020 16:20:31 GMT
This thread provides some info on the use of archival mending tape. I've been using it primarily to repair tears in covers but it will work equally well on torn stamps.
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vikingeck
Member
Posts: 3,551
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on Aug 17, 2020 17:06:53 GMT
This thread provides some info on the use of archival mending tape. I've been using it primarily to repair tears in covers but it will work equally well on torn stamps. Indeed yes, but first you may have to clean the stamp and remove any crud on the back ....................................and that was my downfall! If the stamp has partially disintegrated it needs a sure and steady hand to accurately apply stamp bits to the tape. You only get one shot! Trying the other way round ie tape to stamp is trouble! |
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