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Helpful hints and tips
Soaking stamps Part 2
Several editions ago (July 2007) I featured a piece entitled Soaking stamps Part 1 under the heading Helpful hints and tips and at long last here is part 2. It is strange that this comes at a time when new security features on GB definitive stamps have been introduced which will prevent them being soaked off. There is more detailed coverage of these new stamps elsewhere in this Bulletin.
Steam vapour
This method is of particular use for stamps on card or heavy paper. A pressure cooker is required and 2 to 3 inches of water over heat. The stamps to be soaked are placed on a wire rack over the water and it is reported that they will come away easily in 3 to 5 minutes. They must be wetted thoroughly first and any coloured paper removed, as usual, but those with heavy cancels should also be put aside as the ink can run and stamps could be stained. After the stamps have been removed they will need washing to remove the residue of gum.
PVA and dextrine gum
For dextrine gum the stamps should be left in clean water to soak after lifting as the gum residue makes the stamps curl, as it is applied when the paper is dry, and reduces their life. PVA gum is applied when the paper is wet so it impregnates the paper and this leaves a floppy stamp. It will release ‘smoke’ in the water. If you have a mint stamp PVA gum is dull and looks like no gum and dextrine is shiny, which is not really relevant as we are assuming the stamps are used if they require soaking off. A catalogue is of use to determine gum type.
Bulk soaking
Use a large pan of water, either hot or cold. Hot water is reported to work well for US issues unless on coloured paper and cold for many other countries, including GB issues. Dry the stamps using 2 sheets of plain loose-leaf paper and a large paper towel. Place the soaked stamps on the towel, another loose leaf on top then a towel and so on. Place the pile of towels and stamps on a desk blotter and weigh down for 2 to 3 days in a warm room. The paper can be re-used. You just need to shake the stamps off when dried.
General tips
It has been suggested that just one thickness of envelope is soaked to even out the soaking effect and then the stamps should be left for 15 minutes. Two week old newspaper is good for drying or a towel with the stamps placed face down. Four thicknesses of kitchen paper works well and this can be dried and re-used.
For good stamps small batches should be soaked, using cold water, removing any on coloured paper. Red paper is especially prone to running then staining stamps. It has been suggested that hot water is used for coloured papers to reduce the time taken to soak to a minimum and that each stamp is done individually. It might be wise to treat parcel wrapping, ie brown paper the same way. If you are soaking off older stamps, check in a catalogue beforehand to see if fugitive inks were used as these stamps will be damaged by soaking.
Self adhesive issues
Issues from Brazil and France can be difficult. A recent article in the philatelic press suggests using lighter fuel to remove Brazilian stamps, as this dissolves the gum, after first carefully lifting a corner of the stamp. French issues are best left on piece as they are extremely difficult to remove from envelopes and if you soak Spanish self-adhesives, the design will rub off. To this list must be added the new GB definitives and the two values from the 2008 Christmas issue.
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