If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Watermarks
What is the best way to determine watermarks? I don't want to use
hazardous chemicals and I have not been able to get the Morley-Bright detector to work for me. |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Watermarks are particularly difficult to see on printed surfaces when held
to the light. You could collect just the varieties with selvage to avoid some of the hassles, but otherwise the best way to detect WM in stamps is with approved watermarking fluid in a black glass tray. The fluid is the same that cleaners use. Lighter fluid is often used in the same way, it is cheaper, but I would recommend against this due to impurities in the fluid that can be absorbed by the paper causing premature aging. I also recommend against using fluids to check for tears, thins and repairs. If everyone who looks at a stamp checks it in fluid -- the paper will suffer over the long haul. Simply examine the surface of the stamp on both sides using a good light and/or a wide 5x power lens. There are any number of tell-tale signs to look for. If the stamp has a flaw that cannot be detected in this way its not worth worrying about anyway. Case in point. A dealer once offered me a fine pair of rare classic imperforate US stamps with the caveat of a thin that showed only in fluid. Looking carefully at the stamps I found absolutely no disturbances on the surface of the paper. Knowing that this paper is of the handmade type (not listed in the catalog) it is not unusual to find slight depressions in it. So, I took the discount and have been very pleased with the purchase ever since. -a "Mark Stett" wrote in message news:2004021308404616807%mstett@comcastnet... What is the best way to determine watermarks? I don't want to use hazardous chemicals and I have not been able to get the Morley-Bright detector to work for me. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Mark Stett wrote: What is the best way to determine watermarks? I don't want to use hazardous chemicals and I have not been able to get the Morley-Bright detector to work for me. Mark, I haven't bought watermark fluid for years now (no one sells it here) and determining watermarks of the 19th century is one of my favorite pastimes in stamp collecting. When I used watermark fluid, I would get a headache from looking closely at the stamp and breathing the vapor. One could buy some OSHA approved breathing apparatus but I decided to develop another way instead. Although the methods that I have used may be controversial and not what you are looking for, I've been successful in finding quite a few varieties on difficult stamps using them. At the link are two methods and a page of varieties that I found: http://tloepp.home.mindspring.com/stamps/antigua.html cheers, -- Tom Loepp Email: Website: http://loepp.home.mindspring.com/tom/ |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
G'day Mark,
There is/was an Australian gadget back in the 70's called the "Philatector" Not sure how good it was, am on the lookout for one myself FYI http://groups.msn.com/Stamps/shoebox...to&PhotoID=230 (Remove gum to reply) "Mark Stett" wrote in message news:2004021308404616807%mstett@comcastnet... | What is the best way to determine watermarks? I don't want to use | hazardous chemicals and I have not been able to get the Morley-Bright | detector to work for me. | |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Rodney wrote: G'day Mark, There is/was an Australian gadget back in the 70's called the "Philatector" Not sure how good it was, am on the lookout for one myself FYI http://groups.msn.com/Stamps/shoebox...to&PhotoID=230 (Remove gum to reply) I wasn't so far off using color filters (colored plastic shopping bags). A selection of color filters can be had from a photo supply reasonably. I own polarized and polycontrast filters, maybe used all together I can come up with something as good or better than a philatector. -- Tom Loepp who will be eating crow at 8 o'clock Email: Website: http://loepp.home.mindspring.com/tom/ |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
| I wasn't so far off using color filters (colored plastic shopping bags). A selection of color
| filters can be had from a photo supply reasonably. I own polarised and polycontrast filters, maybe | used all together I can come up with something as good or better than a philatector. | -- Tom Loepp who will be eating crow at 8 o'clock Given that it incorporates a revolving lens, I'd say it has a graduated colour filter, (hard to imitate) Seven Seas are still thriving, so I'll contact them regards this gadget, inspector. Good luck with your contrivance, who knows, you may be able to sell yours within the group :0) If you have trouble with your placcy bags, I have some LP's purchased in Taiwan during R&R from Vietnam, they are lovely shades of orange green, red, and blue plastic. Or, as you say, fare at dinner, shall be Sing a song of sixpence, snip snip four and twenty blackbirds, baked in a pie....... (Aust readers shall be happy to note, "four and twenty" meat pies of Victoria just received an excellent rating for quality and beef percentage good news for the pending footy season |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
| There is/was an Australian gadget back in the 70's
| called the "Philatector" | Not sure how good it was, am on the lookout for one myself Must be a reasonable product, here it is assembled, with celebrated company. http://groups.msn.com/Stamps/shoebox...to&PhotoID=233 |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
a black plastic watermark tray and lighterfluid... ronsons is most readilly
available... kk "Mark Stett" wrote in message news:2004021308404616807%mstett@comcastnet... What is the best way to determine watermarks? I don't want to use hazardous chemicals and I have not been able to get the Morley-Bright detector to work for me. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.586 / Virus Database: 371 - Release Date: 12/02/2004 |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
99% isopropyl rubbing alcohol and watermarks | Bob Ingraham | General Discussion | 7 | November 10th 03 09:26 PM |
Watermarks | Grandpa | General Discussion | 20 | November 2nd 03 11:22 PM |
Watermarks | J. A. Mc. | General Discussion | 7 | July 21st 03 04:43 PM |