Comments on: Damn unsoakable stamps (or if you can’t soak them… ) http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/stamps-you-cant-soa.php Amazing true stories from the life of ordinary stamp collector Wed, 8 Sep 2010 07:30:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Keijo http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/stamps-you-cant-soa.php#comment-3017 Keijo Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:08:25 +0000 http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/?p=2151#comment-3017 I'm afraid not... If they are common stamps, I'd seriously consider soaking them. That way they would be at least of some use. I’m afraid not… If they are common stamps, I’d seriously consider soaking them. That way they would be at least of some use.

]]> By: Diogo Dias http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/stamps-you-cant-soa.php#comment-3015 Diogo Dias Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:21:12 +0000 http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/?p=2151#comment-3015 Thanks Keijo! What about the mint stamps getting stuck together on the gum sides? Is there any method to detach them reasonably safely without adding to the already caused damage? Thanks in advance. Diogo Dias Thanks Keijo!

What about the mint stamps getting stuck together on the gum sides? Is there any method to detach them reasonably safely without adding to the already caused damage?

Thanks in advance.
Diogo Dias

]]> By: Keijo http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/stamps-you-cant-soa.php#comment-3012 Keijo Tue, 01 Jun 2010 15:23:58 +0000 http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/?p=2151#comment-3012 Hi Diego, a sweatbox is a bit like sauna, but in miniature size. It increases air moisture inside the box and slightly dampens any objects placed inside it. It does not work with unsoakable stamps (as their glue does not react to water). And it's functionality even with regular stamps is highly questionable IMHO. Hi Diego,

a sweatbox is a bit like sauna, but in miniature size. It increases air moisture inside the box and slightly dampens any objects placed inside it.

It does not work with unsoakable stamps (as their glue does not react to water). And it’s functionality even with regular stamps is highly questionable IMHO.

]]> By: Diogo Dias http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/stamps-you-cant-soa.php#comment-3005 Diogo Dias Mon, 31 May 2010 19:39:59 +0000 http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/?p=2151#comment-3005 For soaking non-soakable stamps, would a sweat box do the needful? I did not experience this method myself but read it in a friend's philatelic magazine, that non-soakable stamps can be detached by placing them in a sweat box - which apparently applies as well to mint stamps stuck together on the gum sides. And even if I did want to try the method, I do not know what a sweat box is unfortunately! Could some body help me to understand what a sweat box is and whether it would be advisable to use same to detach mint stamps stuck together on the gum sides. My best. Diogo For soaking non-soakable stamps, would a sweat box do the needful? I did not experience this method myself but read it in a friend’s philatelic magazine, that non-soakable stamps can be detached by placing them in a sweat box – which apparently applies as well to mint stamps stuck together on the gum sides. And even if I did want to try the method, I do not know what a sweat box is unfortunately!

Could some body help me to understand what a sweat box is and whether it would be advisable to use same to detach mint stamps stuck together on the gum sides. My best. Diogo

]]> By: Jayne Grenon http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/stamps-you-cant-soa.php#comment-2096 Jayne Grenon Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:10:49 +0000 http://www.stampcollectingblog.com/?p=2151#comment-2096 I use lighter fluid on only the stamps I want to save for myself, who cares what it does fifty years from now as I will be long gone anyways,but the stamps looks really good now and what I found out is that you can re-use the non-cancelled stamps as the gum stays on the stamp and not on the paper that it's stuck on , so the process can be a little messy,,,,soak for approximately 30 seconds,peel-off, scrape the gum off with a small knife,rub-off excess gum with a cotton-ball soaked in lighter fluid,if gum remains on stamp then use a small amount of talcum powder on sticky parts of stamp, "VOILA" perfect results always. I use a very small plastic container for the lighter fluid as it cuts down on the cost of lighter fluid and a small ceramic tile for scraping off the gum. Do only one stamp at a time, after repeating this process for about ten stamps that is when it start to get messy. Almost all United States stamps for the past 3 to 4 years are unsoakables. Hope this help a few collectors of U.S. stamps. I use lighter fluid on only the stamps I want to save
for myself, who cares what it does fifty years from now
as I will be long gone anyways,but the stamps looks really good now and what I found out is that you can re-use the non-cancelled stamps as the gum stays on the stamp and not on the paper that it’s stuck on , so the process can be a little messy,,,,soak for approximately 30 seconds,peel-off,
scrape the gum off with a small knife,rub-off excess gum with a cotton-ball soaked in lighter fluid,if gum remains on stamp then use a small amount of talcum powder on sticky parts of stamp, “VOILA” perfect results always. I use a very small plastic container for the lighter fluid as it cuts down on the cost of lighter fluid and a small ceramic tile for scraping off the gum. Do only one stamp at a time,
after repeating this process for about ten stamps that is when it start to get messy. Almost all United States stamps for the past 3 to 4 years are unsoakables.
Hope this help a few collectors of U.S. stamps.

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