Removing Hinges

I recently picked up an older collection. Many of the stamps are
hinged to an old album. I want to transfere these stamps to stock
books. What is the best way to remove all of these hinges from the
stamps?

If they are peelable hinges, peel them off. If they aren't peelable,
soaking works a treat - suit yourself whether you let the face of the stamp
get wet. Some old stamps need a good wash though a very few are printed
with water-soluble ink.
If the stamps are mint and you don't want to soak the hinges off, you can
either peel as much of the hinge off and live with what's left over or get a
bottle of "stamp lift" from your friendly local dealer. You'll then need to
spend a fair bit of time painting this stuff on the back of the stamp with a
small paint brush. I guess it also works with used stamps.

--
Cheers - John Mycroft
coryton_at_cobbsmill_dot_com

If you don't want to wet the face of the stamp,put some water in the
bottom of a plastic tub, fold up a sheet of blotting-paper and put in
the water until it is soaked then empty out the surplus water. Put the
stamps face up on the wet blotter 'til the hinge has softened then lift
with tongs... carefully!! This can also work with thin paper - but not
manila envelope portions.

If ink is fugitive you can make a "sweat box" using a one of the
plastic salad boxes for refrigerators ( the ones with the plastic grid
in the bottom - note do not use any metal ). Put warm water below the
grid place the stamps on the grid face up and put on the airtight
plastic lid. The humidity should soften the hinge without damaging the
ink provided that the water is not too hot.

If there are several hinge remnants on top of each other ( quite like
ly where stamps have been through several collections - repeat as many
times as necessary removing one portion at a time. Remember wet or damp
paper is fragile, and extreme care is necessary. Never do this sort of
operation while tired ( or after looking on the wine when it is red...)

Regards from UK
Malcolm



John Mycroft wrote:
If they are peelable hinges, peel them off. If they aren't peelable,
soaking works a treat - suit yourself whether you let the face of the stamp
get wet. Some old stamps need a good wash though a very few are printed
with water-soluble ink.
If the stamps are mint and you don't want to soak the hinges off, you can
either peel as much of the hinge off and live with what's left over or get a
bottle of "stamp lift" from your friendly local dealer. You'll then need to
spend a fair bit of time painting this stuff on the back of the stamp with a
small paint brush. I guess it also works with used stamps.

--
Cheers - John Mycroft
coryton_at_cobbsmill_dot_com