(RCSD) Soaking "Never Do"

I just finished soaking a batch of stamps, pushed my luck just a tad
in the process resulting in the destruction of three Aussie Motorcycle
stamps.
The problem stamps were self adhesieves stuck to a tissue like paper.
The stamps are thin as was the paper. The old trick of rolling the
stamp between the fingers did not work.
My advice is that if you have self adhesieves stuck to soft tissue
paper don't soak.
A pair of New Zealand thin self adhesieves almost suffered the same
fate but fortunately the warning from the Australia trio saved the
day.
I learned a long time back that tongs are dangerous weapons to wet
stamps. Don't even think about using the sharp pointy ones.

Ralphael, the OLD one

Ralph,

Many thanks for this warning !

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All the best,
Pierre Courtiade
courtiade at free dot fr

"Ralphael1" wrote in message
ups.com...
I just finished soaking a batch of stamps, pushed my luck just a tad
in the process resulting in the destruction of three Aussie Motorcycle
stamps.
Ralphael, the OLD one

I smile in amusement, Ralphael,
many a motorcycle stamp has followed your path.
They require specialist soaking,
against normal trends, I find the best method
just leave in cold water for a few hours, until the gum
forms a white mucous like texture,
Then peel carefully and they should separate
They are indeed very thin, and failures, guaranteed.

Hot water tends to "set" the gum, and separation
nigh on impossible, or worse, hidden "spots" of gum
remain, that cling like Tarzan to the Hagners.
Nasty stuff.

Fortunately modern issues seemed to have overcome
the problems, but the paper is still required to be
treated with care.







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