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Must, Mildew on unused gummed stamps Part II
I had some stamps in a dry basement (house only two years old, never seen a drop of water in the basement but humidity is high in summer and low in winter so lots of temp/humidity changes) My Test Case: I took some test stamps out of their glassine envelope that smelled musty (no damage just a musty smell when held close to nose). I put them in three test situations: 1.) left some in the envelope as a control 2.) left some out in the open (laying on floor on carpet) 3.) placed some in a closed jar suspended (using nylon stocking piece) over Baking soda 4.) placed some in a closed jar covered in Baking soda Results: tests 2, 3, and 4 all smell fresh now (and I am very picky about smells!) My question: I am sure that the stamps still have the original spores that made them smell. I bet if I expose them to a humid environment they will smell again quickly. I'm glad the baking soda worked - it absorbs both humidity and smells pretty rapidly. Do the stamps still harbor the spores?? You can bet your bippy they do - but the moment paper is produced (long before it's printed into stamps) it has been exposed to all manner of aggressive elements. If you put new stamps into the basement - well, you can be pretty sure that they'll smell in a year or two. The key to this is keeping varying humidities away from the stamps. Dry is the keyword here! Even magazines placed on a bookshelf in a home will eventually start producing that 'skanky' smell. Are your stamps safe to trade - heck yes!!!! Anything can develop mold, mildew or fungal infections. When I was a medic in Viet Nam many (if not all) service personnel tramping around in the wet jungle would develop "Foot Rot". Viet Nam vets will know this term. The remedy - send 'em off to "China Beach" or some other dry sandy climate with instructions to not wear any shoes - not even socks for their one week stay. They came back refreshed and their feet were perfection all over again! You can go ahead and trade or give away those stamps. You've done the necessary part in drying up their advance. You can even give them a 'spritz' of Chanel No. 5 if you wish - but keep away the "Old Spice" - it's just too "Butch". Handshakes, Dakota |
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