The most common method for removing stamps from stamp paper involves soaking them in water.
Why Remove Stamps From Paper?
Stamp collectors often remove stamps from envelopes or paper for various reasons, primarily to store them more efficiently and uniformly in albums, or to isolate valuable stamps for collecting or trading.
The Water Soaking Method
Soaking stamps in water is a simple and effective way to dissolve the adhesive holding them to the paper. Once the adhesive is loosened, the stamp can be gently separated.
Steps to Soak Stamps
This process is straightforward and requires minimal materials. As referenced in the provided information, you can use normal faucet water for this purpose.
- Prepare the Water: Fill a shallow tray or bowl with clean water. According to the reference, normal faucet water is suitable.
- Submerge the Paper: Place the pieces of paper with stamps attached into the water, ensuring they are fully submerged. Avoid overcrowding the tray.
- Allow to Soak: Let the paper and stamps soak. The time required varies depending on the adhesive, paper thickness, and the age of the paper/stamp. Watch for the stamp to begin loosening. Some modern self-adhesive stamps may not respond well to this method.
- Gently Separate: Once the adhesive is softened, the stamp should peel away easily from the paper. Gently lift the stamp from the paper. If there is resistance, allow it to soak for a little longer.
- Remove Any Residue: After separating the stamp, gently rub off any remaining paper or adhesive residue from the back of the stamp while it is still damp.
Tips for Soaking
- Monitor Closely: Check the stamps frequently to avoid over-soaking, which can damage the ink or paper of the stamp, especially with older stamps.
- Separate by Color: If soaking multiple stamps, especially from different countries or eras, it's wise to soak similar colors together or soak them separately to prevent colors from bleeding.
- Handle with Care: Wet stamps are fragile. Handle them by the edges using stamp tongs if possible, or very carefully with clean fingers.
- Change Water: If soaking many stamps or stamps from heavily inked paper, you may need to change the water if it becomes cloudy or discolored.
What to Do After Soaking
Once the stamp is removed from the paper, it needs to be properly dried to prevent curling, creasing, or mildew.
Drying Methods
- Blotting: Carefully place the wet stamp face down on a clean paper towel or absorbent blotting paper to remove excess water.
- Drying Flat: Place the damp stamp face down on a clean, dry surface, such as another blotting paper or a piece of clean newsprint. Many collectors use specialized drying books with absorbent pages, or simply place them between the pages of a heavy book, ensuring they are protected by blotting paper or wax paper. Apply gentle weight to keep them flat as they dry completely.
When Not to Soak
Not all stamps should be removed using the water soaking method. Certain stamps, such as those with water-soluble inks, imperforate stamps, or modern self-adhesive stamps (especially those with polyvinyl alcohol adhesives), may be damaged by water. Stamps on fragile paper or those with attachments like seals might also require alternative removal methods or should be left on the paper.
