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Alternatives to soaking? Is it really safe?

RogueSquatchRogueSquatch Posts: 12 ✭
in Stamps Forum

Is soaking really the best way to remove stamps? It just makes me uncomfortable dunking early 1900’s stamps in water.

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  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,367 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It works fine as long as you are careful when handling the wet stamps.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • RogueSquatchRogueSquatch Posts: 12 ✭

    Thank you. I did end up trying it and I was successful.

  • pab1969pab1969 Posts: 1,188 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have been soaking for years and the only issues I ever had with older stamps were ones from certain countries (Japan and Austria). The gum is quite strong and sometimes impossible to remove the stamp from the paper. Other than that, as long as you press them for at least 24 hours (to avoid curling), they will be good as new.

  • RogueSquatchRogueSquatch Posts: 12 ✭

    Thank you I did end up doing it and it was successful.

  • ZiggystardustZiggystardust Posts: 16 ✭

    I do it on all my stamps. You have to soak the new stamps

  • CCDollarCCDollar Posts: 721 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Watch your soak water and be sure it does not get too contaminated with glue. A second rinse/soak in clean water doesn't hurt. Take care...CC

    Nickel Triumph...My Led Zepps
  • EstilEstil Posts: 7,061 ✭✭✭✭

    That's one thing that until very recently kept me away from stamp collecting...I mean if most any other paper collectible got even slightly wet it's basically ruined. Not to mention the idea of licking and sticking those hinges that half the time probably won't stick properly...YUK!

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  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,367 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Estil said:
    That's one thing that until very recently kept me away from stamp collecting...I mean if most any other paper collectible got even slightly wet it's basically ruined. Not to mention the idea of licking and sticking those hinges that half the time probably won't stick properly...YUK!

    Stamp hinges I have used over the years have never had a problem with not sticking properly.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,917 ✭✭✭✭

    For the vast majority of stamps, soaking is fine (assuming used stamps of course since soaking will remove gum.) But on occasion there are some older stamps that were printed with fugitive ink as a security measure to prevent stamp cleaning and re-use. Soak one of those and you'll end up with a bright, blank piece of paper! Not too many such stamps were printed in this way, though.

  • BigDotDonBigDotDon Posts: 31 ✭✭

    I use this SuperSafe product from Amazon. It seems to do the trick, but I am pretty new. Be careful not to damage it.

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