Stamp Collecting Question?

Question

Can anyone tell me how to remove stamps from envelopes without damaging the stamp? Is there a way without having to buy a special product? thanks.

Answer 1

I take a sponge that has a little water on it, hold it over the stamp about a minute and it usually comes off easily. I've collected stamps for over 10 years and do it this way all the time.

Answer 2

Complicated question! For most older lick-and-stick stamps, the best way is to soak them in a bowl of lukewarm water until the stamp floats free of the paper, then dry the stamp between paper towels. But self-stick stamps sometimes either stick tenaciously or the color flakes off in a water bath. Unless you know (say, from reading in Linns Stamp News) that a stamp is a good soaker, it's best to trim carefully around the edge and just leave the stamp on paper.

But - and this is an enormous "but" - often it is much better to leave the stamp on the intact envelope. A common off-paper stamp typically sells for 5 cents - a common stamp still on its original envelope usually sells for at least 50 cents, maybe a dollar, more if there is anything special about the envelope such as a "return to sender" marking.

Answer 3

what they said!