radiocruncher
Member 
Posts: 317
What I collect: GB especially Wildings and Machins. Early Germany to 1945
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Post by radiocruncher on Jul 14, 2021 23:14:59 GMT
I’ve just acquired a Stanley Gibbons Davo album covering GB issues from 1840 to 1998. I want to transfer stamps over to it but the previous owner has made a right pigs ear of mounting the stamps. There are undersized mounts so the stamps stick out of the tops and sides. Also there are oversize mounts which cover picture of the other stamps. My question is, does anyone know of a way to get the mounts off without damaging the pages? I was thinking of using isopropyl alcohol but it does have a small amount of water in it. I would appreciate and tips or advice. ive attached a couple pictures as examples but there’s a lot worse in the album. Thanks in advance Graham   |
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renden
Member
Posts: 8,711 
What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
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Post by renden on Jul 14, 2021 23:29:25 GMT
I’ve just acquired a Stanley Gibbons Davo album covering GB issues from 1840 to 1998. I want to transfer stamps over to it but the previous owner has made a right pigs ear of mounting the stamps. There are undersized mounts so the stamps stick out of the tops and sides. Also there are oversize mounts which cover picture of the other stamps. My question is, does anyone know of a way to get the mounts off without damaging the pages? I was thinking of using isopropyl alcohol but it does have a small amount of water in it. I would appreciate and tips or advice. ive attached a couple pictures as examples but there’s a lot worse in the album. Thanks in advance Graham Good luck as you do not know what type of glue was behind those hinges - not damaging at all !!!!! When I remove a hinged stamp - do not care as it will be covered by a stamp in a blck mount so you do not see the back paper LOL !! Good luck |
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stainlessb
Member
qaStaHvIS yIn 'ej chep
Posts: 4,642
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 Jul 14, 2021 23:49:17 GMT
might try a applying low heat from a Hair Dryer- It may soften the adhesive, but I suspect it may leave some remnants on. If the pages are only single sided, apply heat from the back Most mounts have a water activated adhesive (at least now), so high humidity may loosen thm, but may also curl the paper (which I imagine could be pressed flat
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Jul 15, 2021 1:48:16 GMT
I have "professional" tongs, and when I come across mounts like that to be removed, I carefully slide the tongs under the mount to remove it. Of course, when I am removing mounts I have put up, it is easy. I don't slather the entire back side of the mount like some people seem to do! Try that anyway, if you are careful, voila!
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radiocruncher
Member
Posts: 317
What I collect: GB especially Wildings and Machins. Early Germany to 1945
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Post by radiocruncher on Jul 15, 2021 7:16:18 GMT
Good luck as you do not know what type of glue was behind those hinges - not damaging at all !!!!! When I remove a hinged stamp - do not care as it will be covered by a stamp in a blck mount so you do not see the back paper LOL !! Good luck Thanks. I could do with a bit of luck. I assume they are Hawid or similar mounts. Some of them are very well stuck so I don’t think I can just peel them off. Hopefully I can minimise damage |
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radiocruncher
Member
Posts: 317
What I collect: GB especially Wildings and Machins. Early Germany to 1945
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Post by radiocruncher on Jul 15, 2021 7:18:21 GMT
might try a applying low heat from a Hair Dryer- It may soften the adhesive, but I suspect it may leave some remnants on. If the pages are only single sided, apply heat from the back Most mounts have a water activated adhesive (at least now), so high humidity may loosen thm, but may also curl the paper (which I imagine could be pressed flat That’s a good idea thanks. They are single sided pages although some pages have mounts stuck on the back as well for good measure. I wonder whether a good old steaming would sort them. |
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radiocruncher
Member
Posts: 317
What I collect: GB especially Wildings and Machins. Early Germany to 1945
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Post by radiocruncher on Jul 15, 2021 7:20:30 GMT
I have "professional" tongs, and when I come across mounts like that to be removed, I carefully slide the tongs under the mount to remove it. Of course, when I am removing mounts I have put up, it is easy. I don't slather the entire back side of the mount like some people seem to do! Try that anyway, if you are careful, voila! Professional tongs? Sounds good. I have got some Prinz tweezers on the way. I have some very fine electronics tweezers which might be worth a go for the ones that aren’t licked to death. Thanks for the suggestion |
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Jerry B
Departed
Rest in Peace
Marietta, Georgia USA
Posts: 1,485
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Post by Jerry B on Jul 15, 2021 9:35:40 GMT
Hi
In my experience I have found that some really wet the back of the mount and some even used glue. I first remove the top layer of the mount (easy to do) and then do as brightonpete does. In almost all cases it is almost impossible to remove any remnant.
I wish you luck. Unfortunately, realize that the pages may be "useless" as you may not be able to get rid of all the mount remnants..
Jerry B
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,346
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Jul 15, 2021 10:06:29 GMT
I have never had much luck removing mounts.
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wakeybluenose
Member
Mostly harmless!
Posts: 279
What I collect: GB to 2000 (but definitives to date) / Ireland to 2000 / General WW classics & definitives / ASFEC / SciFi & Fantasy Literature / Local History
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Post by wakeybluenose on Jul 15, 2021 10:22:28 GMT
Jam a ruler under the top edge of the mount as far as it will go and hold down tight (keeps the page in place and prevents the paper tearing too much), grab the bottom corner (glued edge) and rip off fast (like a plaster/bandaid). I've had some luck with this method in the past with minimal damage to the page... and even reused the mounts).
I'm assuming that you are going to stick your own mounts (neatly) on the page so can tolerate a little damage to the front of the page?!
Kevin in London
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radiocruncher
Member
Posts: 317
What I collect: GB especially Wildings and Machins. Early Germany to 1945
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Post by radiocruncher on Jul 15, 2021 11:13:35 GMT
Hi In my experience I have found that some really wet the back of the mount and some even used glue. I first remove the top layer of the mount (easy to do) and then do as brightonpete does. In almost all cases it is almost impossible to remove any remnant. I wish you luck. Unfortunately, realize that the pages may be "useless" as you may not be able to get rid of all the mount remnants.. Thanks Gerry. I’ve had a go at one page with moderate success this morning using isopropyl alcohol. It seemed to loosen the gum and I gently peeled a large strip off that had been stuck all the way along the bottom edge, carefully helping it along with some tweezers |
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radiocruncher
Member
Posts: 317
What I collect: GB especially Wildings and Machins. Early Germany to 1945
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Post by radiocruncher on Jul 15, 2021 11:14:49 GMT
I have never had much luck removing mounts. I have had a go. I think I can save most of the pages. I can’t replace them as they are a weird size. |
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radiocruncher
Member
Posts: 317
What I collect: GB especially Wildings and Machins. Early Germany to 1945
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Post by radiocruncher on Jul 15, 2021 11:16:30 GMT
Jam a ruler under the top edge of the mount as far as it will go and hold down tight (keeps the page in place and prevents the paper tearing too much), grab the bottom corner (glued edge) and rip off fast (like a plaster/bandaid). I've had some luck with this method in the past with minimal damage to the page... and even reused the mounts). I'm assuming that you are going to stick your own mounts (neatly) on the page so can tolerate a little damage to the front of the page?! Kevin in London Hi Kevin. I like the plaster ripping technique. That would prevent breakout. I am putting mounts back so they should cover any minor damage. Thanks for the help. |
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radiocruncher
Member
Posts: 317
What I collect: GB especially Wildings and Machins. Early Germany to 1945
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Post by radiocruncher on Jul 15, 2021 11:26:16 GMT
This is the 1st page I’ve tackled. The top 3 I’ve remounted and the bottom block of 4. You can see some breakout on the bottom of the page which is where the mount was stuck before. I may still replace the other poorly fitting mounts but they are acceptable at the moment.   |
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radiocruncher
Member
Posts: 317
What I collect: GB especially Wildings and Machins. Early Germany to 1945
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Post by radiocruncher on Jul 15, 2021 11:27:23 GMT
Another rough page that needs sorting. What a mess  |
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Jul 15, 2021 12:09:05 GMT
A page like that is exactly why I like designing and printing my own pages! What a mess that is!
For the most part, I get rid of excess stamps and some selvedge if there isn't anything interesting on it.
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radiocruncher
Member
Posts: 317
What I collect: GB especially Wildings and Machins. Early Germany to 1945
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Post by radiocruncher on Jul 15, 2021 17:47:11 GMT
A page like that is exactly why I like designing and printing my own pages! What a mess that is!
For the most part, I get rid of excess stamps and some selvedge if there isn't anything interesting on it. It’s a tough one really. I prefer a nice neat album but I’m reluctant to break up the blocks. I know some people like the traffic light margins etc. but they look messy in a standard album. The Davo pages are large but I can get blank ones although they are expensive. Graham |
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Ryan
Member
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,720
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Sept 23, 2021 19:18:34 GMT
My question is, does anyone know of a way to get the mounts off without damaging the pages? I was thinking of using isopropyl alcohol but it does have a small amount of water in it. I would appreciate and tips or advice. I'm a bit late to the party but oh well. If these mounts were first affixed in the normal way (i.e. somebody licked them and then stuck them to the page) then they should come off by soaking the sheet, just like removing a stamp by soaking it off the envelope. After all, it's water-soluble gum, that's why it sticks to something when you wet it with your tongue. But as Jerry mentioned, sometimes people use glue - a tongue can get tired if the guy has too many big mounts to affix. At that point, you need a solution that dissolves whatever mystery glue was used. And sometimes even then you're in luck with water, because Elmer's Glue and many of the brands of glue sticks use a glue which is also water soluble. You'd have big wet sheets of paper to press and dry, but it might be a better option. Ryan |
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