Removal & Preservation of Self Adhesive Postage Stamps

Describes an alternative method for the removal and mounting of self adhesive postage stamps. This mothod is much faster than soaking the stamps in water and provides an alternative solution for dealing with the adhesive that remains on the backside of the stamp.

[@stevenbalekic5683]

I prefer the way Australia Post website recommends soaking the self adhesive stamps in water that was boiled and very hot for ten minutes. They mention that the oil based adhesive is stuck to a water based adhesive that is attached to the stamp. The heat helps the water eventually reach the water soluble layer to lift it from the oil adhesive. I tried this with stamps from hong kong, germany and australia and it worked well.

[@chirinasmr]

Does it remove the ink as well

[@apollomars1678]

greeting from german stamp collector, german stamps are not the problem, i dont have a problem with a single adhesive stamp from germany with regular hot water. BUT the problem is a) American stamps since ~2015 b) Irish stamps in recent years c) 2-3 really modern stamps from France (1-2 years old) it is spreading, because the adhesive part of the stamp IS half of the stamp itself. The actual print is a nearly see-through parchment like part of the actual stamp, easily to rip. The stamp creators made this, to cut costs by the actual papers, because adhesive stamps cost more to produce than regular stamps, BUT became more popular by idiot-costumers. At least that's the claim of the postal service. I think its party an effort of the postal services to boycott the actual possibility to collect stamps by regular use, forcing stamp collectors to buy stamped and fresh stamps directly from the postal services in an annual service. In Germany the postal service will simply not release the majority of the stamps to the post stamp offices => the public. Explicit the Charity stamps/ Semi-postal stamp, who were once used in Germany to send invitations to marriages or burial invitations, became nearly non-existence in actual use. In some sense the postal offices in Germany CUT actively the abilities of these charities stamps to create revenue for these charities, because they want to get more money from collectors by a constant rising and easily controlled prize per year by Subscriptions.

[@RockHoundChic]

I just inherited a large (well, large to me) stamp collection that my mother-in-law had sitting in her spare room. I'm on the hunt for the best way to start going through and storing them for my own collection. This was a great tip. Thank you for sharing!

[@djs127]

You should try on Facebook there are many groups for new collectors

[@LoraJKlein]

Thank you so much! I sure do miss the water activated stamps that would slide right off. These newer ones have been driving me crazy and practically ruined stamp collecting for me. I can't wait to try this. I don't have any of the clear plastic stamp cards, but I plan to use archival-quality page protectors instead. Should work just as well. I think you just rescued another philatelist!

[@samcardinale8122]

I Have been collecting for many years and I needed to find a way to remove the self adhesive stamps. I collect high value US and this is the best way I have found to do this process Thank you so much

[@AAAbones101]

ive always used the acetone and talc method ,but ill have to give this a go ,cheers from the UK

[@jayfranco6180]

Very detailed explanation and ThanQ! I have had great difficult to take off these stubborn UK self adhesive stamps using warm water. Will try your method and hopefully this should do the trick!

[@johnnysalvny]

The main problem (once a method is chosen) is TIME spent. If you are doing only a handful every so often, no problem. But if you are way behind in mounting, have a 1,000 bag mixture, etc. that you want to remove all backing, it's just too tedious, too much time involved. As for buying new mint stamps-if you can afford to, want to-OK. Most countries however have increased their postage rates dramatically as well as number of issues put out yearly, making Mint New Issue collecting for most (especially young people) prohibitive.

[@petermartin3268]

Thank you so very much for showing this way, it seems so much better then putting it in water, I'll try it this way,once again. many thanks .

[@tradex77]

Great job ! Thanks for sharing this tested method !

[@robertkatz5468]

this man is awesome. he should be doing this for a living .awesome video.

[@chevynovascotia3301]

I actually stopped removing from the envelopes because they were turning to mush and stopped putting them in my album. My stamps remained in a huge box from frustration. Thank you and I'm gong out to buy adhesive remover. I don't know why I don't already have it since I'm an avid scrapbooker. I'm back in business

[@Eric-rf6te]

More videos please! This one was great! Will help a lot with the self-adhesive ones.

[@lucilledickinson4633]

Loved the video on self adhesive stamps and cannot wait to try it Lucille D.

[@joez3088]

Thanks for your advise mate from Australia I'll give it a go .

[@jimpulcine9925]

Fantastic idea. I will definitely try this. Thanks for the great videos

[@nunyabiznez6381]

I believe it was in the autumn of 1974 when I was 14 that the first U.S. adhesive stamp came out and it was a Christmas stamp. My Dad worked for the post office at the time and he came home with two sheets. One to give me for my collection and the other for Christmas cards though he did let me keep a corner block from the second sheet. I put both in a glassine and tucked them in my album until I got around to mounting them properly. I'd forgotten about them and then a few years later I got to them and discovered to my dismay that they were all ruined by the glue that had been used. Disgusted I vowed never to collect another self adhesive stamp again. When they became popular in the 1990's I refused to buy any. I stopped buying new U.S. stamps altogether around 20 years ago. I now concentrate on only filling in missing spaces from before that period. That's how I personally deal with self adhesive stamps. I just don't consider them to be real stamps and therefore not collectible.

[@davidhine2228]

Yeah that was the xmas weather vane stamp 10centa i have four sheets all stained ...

[@ernman2843]

Not bad. I like the heptane idea, it seems to work wonderfully and remove the stamp the way you would want to remove the stamp, completely that is. For the second part of this process, I still like the idea of using baby powder instead of using the clear plastic film to put on the back of the stamp, unless you have a whole bunch of those pouches. Baby power leaves the back of the stamp nice, smooth and clean looking. I will pick up the heptane idea though. Thanks for sharing!

[@IoanLucaVlad]

Now this is a very interesting idea! I’ll have to try it out. Thank you!

[@filmtajm35]

That is a very good method. Thank you for sharing.

[@uwesteinki5037]

Thanks,will give it a go! Cheers from Australia.

[@musicamatters89]

You should do more videos !! :3 id love too see some of your collections.

[@crazytexan7532]

Very nice indeed I will be ordering in some heptane n and I have a lot of the stock cards all ready so I will give this a try and check back in after the results but this looks like a fantastic way to deal with self adhesive stamps

[@szettner]

Hi, thanks for the info. I hadn't messed with stamps in a millions years, but today I was experimenting with Goo Gone on some. Looks like that Heptane-N stuff works better. I will have to get some. However, I was also noticing that some stamps were not coming off at all with the Goo Gone. I was looking at some videos that suggested warm water. I didn't know there was such a thing as a water based adhesive glue, but those ones did come off with warm water. As an example, I had some 32 cent yellow rose stamps that came off with water and 33 cent reindeer stamps. The perforation was clearly the perfect perforation you see on adhesives. So I think the real problem is figuring out whether the glue on any given stamp is water based or oil based. Maybe they are all oil based now. After all, these were from the early years of adhesives. I also wonder if you cannot just use wax paper instead of the cards. After all, the initial paper they use is just a coated paper. Otherwise, I also have backing from sheets of Avery printer labels in large supply since I print out my address labels every year at Xmas. I was looking up this heptane-n stuff. Some people say it is quite pricey. I saw someone online saying it was the primary ingredient in Coleman lighter fluid. I wonder if that would ruin your stamps since it has other stuff in it. If not, it might be a cheaper source. Thanks again for your video!

[@robertross3026]

I use a similar method but use a straight backed one sided razor blade to gently scrape off the residual glue. Always works for me.

[@ngwansiewsiew2096]

very impresived methods to learn from.

[@jameshorn7830]

I'm not a stamp collector, but I get Christmas cards with no cancellation marks, so I try to salvage them. I've found that 91% isopropyl works great and doesn't remove the adhesive. Just trim the envelope close to the stamp edges, and put one or two drops of IPA on the back of the stamp and spread it evenly so it soaks in. After just a few seconds, you can peel it off. Don't touch the back, as it is still sticky. Place the stamp face down until the IPA evaporates. You can reuse them. They seem to dry quite flat. I stick them onto the blank spaces on stamp books so they can be pee!ed off again. It must be 91% ipa, as rubbing alcohol has additives. Don't use it.

[@jonathansimmonds5784]

Thank god for the fast forward facility with KZbin videos, you guys do love the sound of your own voices and use ten words when one would do! To save anyone else wading through treacle let me just tell you in a few seconds "USE HEPTANE" . There, how long did that take ??!

[@inger870]

Brilliant👌🏼 Thanks for sharing!

[@dougnoernberg469]

Instead of putting on the plastic, I remove the gum entirely by soaking with more heptane and gently scraping (always in one direction away from you) with the side of a credit card. Uniform pressure and you can easily scrape the adhesive away. Just keep it wet with solvent. The substrate is a glass plate with and a piece of paper... the paper can be thrown out once getting to much adhesive on it, and it keeps the glass clean. 90%+ of the time, stubborn adhesive can be removed with a cotton swab dipped in more heptane and gently rubbed. Most times, the stamp is completely free and has no tackiness at all. In the event some adhesive impregnated too far into the stamp paper and the tackiness never goes away, that is when I will break out the scent-free talc. I put so little on the tip of my finger that it just fills the ridges of my fingerprints. That is plenty, and I gently rub the back of the stamp with it until it is smooth and the tackiness is gone.

[@Turtlehands]

Yes, this is easy once you do a few. I use an old Costco card, and scrape the gum off.... in 2 tries. You do it once, and there might still be some gum on there. I also rotate the stamp 180 degrees on the 2nd pass, to get the side that you would miss somewhat.

[@Rarehouseplants]

Best advice! Thanks a lot!

[@stevejohnson3196]

Great method...also be aware heptane is very flammable. Do not smoke or use around flames.

[@arielmizal4828]

Thanks for this video. Its really helpful :)

[@MessOfThings]

Thanks. I guess that might work for other types of stickers too.

[@mellisn]

Bravo, works great. Thank you

[@MSSLatvia]

Thanks for the helpful video!

[@chrischurchill]

Wonderful solution! Here in Australia, the stamps now have small cuts across the surface. You need to look closely to see them ( 8 in total), but they are a recipe for disaster. I will try this method for removing them from the surface underneath. Please feel free to message me if I don't start this method soon. LOL.

[@jamesdarnell8568]

The government in Oz is almost paranoid about the chance that somebody might soak a used $1 (soon to be $1.10) stamp off an envelope and use it again. LOL. Still only costs $0.55 USD ($0.77 AUD) to mail a first class letter in the States.

[@chrischurchill]

@@jamesdarnell8568 Mate, somebody has to pay for the watches! Your comment is timely; I just got home from the P.O. I'm trying to post a 94gm large letter, registered, to Pakistan. It cannot be tracked unless I purchase a large envelope with a 500gm weight maximum! The cost: AUD27.50.... This sucker has had more than enough!

[@chrischurchill]

@@jamesdarnell8568 The uncancelled stamps virtually fly off the paper if you pour boiling water on them and let them soak until the water is cold. Try it mate, and PLEASE spread the word if you find that it works. My best regards.

[@jayroder7144]

Do you think I could use this method and instead of the plastic you mounted on use glassine?

[@donnawallis5825]

That’s amazing, so fast.

[@charlesr4325]

have you tried removing the back plastic from the stamp after it drys ?

[@eileenthomas6342]

You are so smart,this is an awesome video I was wondering it you know how to get a stamp of my wooden coffee table without damaging the varnish

[@stevebanting6133]

Can the once removed stamps be put straight into an album without using a stock sheet?

[@jpmoodie]

Very useful mate, thanks.

[@Farida-A.R.]

Amazing Information, Thanks.

[@ernestobenchocron8953]

Nice work very good

[@natashathomas5141]

But what if you want to remove the stamp from the plastic? How do you do that?

[@glenm5034]

Thanks for info. Very useful.

[@boydwright5778]

I use the envelope address windows that are clear plastic to stick the stamps to instead of the stamp cards . We get envelopes with the plastic windows every day so they don’t cost anything.

[@robjanusch1345]

Long winded but GREAT advice !!! :-)

[@juntjoonunya9216]

since time is "of the essence", how would doing this batch style work? say 20-50 in a small plate? what would be the problem with that if any?

[@ceesteven]

Great info. Thank you.

[@tomgates316]

Have seen a couple of videos by people with chemist backgrounds that have mentioned that leaving the adhesive on the stamp it will eventually affect the condition of the stamp. Can this method and product remove the adhesive as completely as possible?

[@MrAndriy2010]

Hello everybody. I started to collect self-adhesive postal stamps, does this way with plastic film also so good for not used (new) stamps? Or after putting into film stamp will lost "mint" status according to Michel catalogue. The main problem that I want to collect single stamps in "mint" condition in albums, like in the past.

[@crazytexan7532]

Update...works great thank you

[@Revealthefactsbpsolanki3456]

Thanks for informative video.

[@trongod2000]

I need a source for the material you stuck the stamp to. Is there a paper like that which the stamps originally were distributed on?

[@Jigsawman1943]

Have you ever used freezer paper instead of the plastic? I have found that the freezer paper has a smooth side and a rough side. I don't know about the acidity.

[@annaleda3537]

Great tips! Does the fluid have a smell and is it bad to breathe the fumes while working?

[@loribrandt3713]

my question is when collecting is unused stamps more valued than used stamps?

[@debdessaso]

What about new, self-adhesive stamps? How do you remove a block from the sheet? Is it acceptable to tear along the edges or to cut?

[@johnfender8710]

very good video well done.

[@lloydgarland4667]

Can you still use a stamp hinge to mount the stamp? I'm not sure you can :(

[@kennyembry8969]

very professional preservation method and tutorial for taking these new fangled self adhesive stamps off paper and transferring to my collection. Thanks so much. I enjoyed watching and raising your likes above the 666 mark.

[@natashathomas5141]

What! Thanks so much for sharing that's great!

[@hawkeye0248]

If I'm not mistaken, this solvent is also used to identify the watermark on older stamps.

[@lloydgarland4667]

We used to put the stamp on a black surface and put a drop of benzine on it.

[@georgeloveday9674]

I just love your instructive video. I do have a question. Why do you want plastic on the back of the stamp? Couldn’t I just drop it into a plastic mount and leave it at that?

[@donhedger3297]

The use of Heptane is good as well as Bestine which is N-Hepane sold by Union Rubber in NJ ~ this Bestine is used by artists for removal of glue & rubber Also while this video shows the stamp mounted using the residual glue its best to use a small sprinkling of talcum powder ~ just pinch stamp & give it a flik and all talcum will me removed & stamp will have a nice dry backing ~ smooth as a babies bottom. Also pure oil of Orange will do same job but N-Heptane is excellent but no smoking or open flame near Heptane or you will have fire Don -Toronto, Ontario West Toronto Stamp Club

[@donhedger3297]

+wcloister You just take stamp in twizzer & just flick the stamp a couple of times and talcum is gone ~ talcum will not have any adverse effect on paper or design of stamps ~ Bestine is a artists solvent for thinning & removal of rubber cement. Be very careful with Bestine ( had Heptane-N) while using that no smoking or open flame as Heptane-N is flamable The video here shows that the Hepane only loosens the glue ~ chap is adding a backing to stamp which most of us don't want ~ forget this talcum problem as it isn't as bad as video indicated ~ you need next to nothing Hold stamp with tongs - just apply a very small amount then flik it with the other hand fingers over a sink and its done. The hepane-N is excellent for taking labels of jars and here on glass you can use paper towel to remove the glue ~ saves washing jars in dishwasher and having the label (paper) pluging the dishwasher If you buy Bestine in small can 4 oz? 118ml you can apply with a small artists brush ~ forget the eye dropper too much of fluid is used Remember to keep cap tight on tine so it dosn't evaporate Cheers

[@mccommas2]

I was wondering if the chemical would harm the finish on the table but you thought of that.

[@wmtomlinso]

I want to thank the man in this video for telling me about heptane. It is magic , it works so well. stamps almost fall off paper , yet the gum is still intact. One new pointer: after removal , affix them to "freezer Paper" which has a plastic coating on one side.

[@jamesdarnell8568]

White freezer paper would hide the perforations when you put the stamp in a mount. Might as well just leave it on the white envelope paper.

[@annagramgaming8934]

n-Heptane (7 carbon) is good, but similarly sized organic chains should be fine as well. I use n-Hexane (6 carbon) to similar effect. Also, if you see something like 'Heptanes', that should be fine too, it's just a mix of different configurations of 7 carbons chains, branched instead of straight. Bestine seems to be a mix of mostly heptanes and hexanes, but I don't use it because it seems to have other ingredients I cannot account for. Lots of people use it and are happy with it, though.

[@EternallyRound]

Thanks, this helps!

[@ravinderkundra4277]

Please tell me how can I check the watermark on the stamp

[@alex.2395]

buen dia feliz inicio de semana para mi conocimiento del trato uso de la filogenia la forma económica práctica y sencilla de desprender las stamp de los sobre oh cualquier superficies Es bertir agua en un recipiente hervir agua colocar estampilla dentro del recipiente esperar 5 min cuando maximo Vegas la estampilla desprendida del sobre, papel oh de donde este pegada sacar del agua con pinza colocar a secar al la interperie y listo

[@tangerineslice]

With soaking it onl took me 5 minutes of soaking in warm sink water.But at least like this you dont need all the drying time. But my budget is limited. Nice to know!

[@joekowalski2110]

Neat technique. I'll try it. The best solution, though, would be for USPS to use whatever self-adhesive is used on Canadian stamps, which soak right off in... water!

[@annetteb.9031]

That's good to know for anyone wanting to collect Canadian stamps :-)

[@Jigsawman1943]

Also, n-heptane works great in removing scotch tape from stamps. Saved two high value stamps using n-heptane to remove scotch tape.

[@davidsherman1161]

John Burger Gret vido

[@davidsherman1161]

John Burger great video

[@nancyhoffman5448]

Where can I get a supply of dealer stock cards?

[@nanjundaswamy9707]

Nice Thanks for sharing

[@erik0073]

Heptane is insanely flammable. It is a huge fire risk. 🔥

[@SandeepDasonemadartist]

I do the same with Acetate sheets those used for projectors

[@patriciaslice1898]

Please show how to separate singles off of a mint sheet of Self-adhesive stamps. I don't collect used.

[@terrywall985]

I've seen large rolls of inexpensive florist cellophane advertised as acid-free. Might be a lot more convenient than working with the dealer cards.

[@VictorFursov]

Thank you! Very effective and careful way! Good luck stamps collecting! Best greetings from Ukraine! :)

[@MrRobo8181]

please could someone help me I have a stamp not really of any value except to me by it'd off a letter of a departed relation. the cancellation mark is all smudged is there anyway of removing the smudged ink?? if anyone could help please let me on my email is [e-mail] thankyou

[@binsp]

pls sent to me some ukraine stamps

[@VictorFursov]

Drop me a line on e-mail: [e-mail]

[@fatinakh1424]

من اين يمكن ان احصل على هذه المادة

[@bartdeckers5338]

is this method just more pratical and quicker for you, or is using water also negative for the stamp ?

[@sudiptabhar3161]

thanxks for the information

[@berylgoodchild224]

I use “sticky stuff remover”. Works a treat.

[@AffordBindEquipment]

so, if one has just a hobby collection and doesn't want to spend the money on the mounting covers, how do I mount this with a hinge? I highly doubt that the hinge adhesive will stick to the plastic on the back...

[@jamesdarnell8568]

Just stick the stamp to the album page. Easiest way to permanently mount mint self-adhesive stamps.

[@TsukiCondor]

How can you remove stamps from Postcards

[@jimpulcine9925]

Does this method take away any value of the stap?

[@collectorguy4379]

I use lighter fluid on un cancelled stamps so I can use them again. It is a pain but a good soak and pair of round tipped tweezers peels them off

[@jamesdarnell8568]

You can also use lighter fluid to check for watermarks.

[@ScotsFurian]

Steaping in hot water and peal the stamps away from the envelope leaving the adhesive on the envelope works for me every time. Simple at no extra cost. Just start on a corner and the whole stamp will come away clean. However I do like the metoud you use. It preserves the adhesive and gives the stamp extra strength but for me and my album its not suitable. Thanks for sharing

[@alanlevitt4663]

The mechanism that's actually doing the work is the heat energy destroying the adhesive capabilities. Steeping allows the inks to run through, causing minor fades. Using that information, it would, therefore, be best to remove stamps using a griddle. Whether you want to industrialise the process using a large electric griddle, or whether you want to remain hobbyist and do it on the stove, is up to you. To avoid scorching the stamps, wet them a bit on the back with a fine mist (a few sprays) and "cook" them. Use a spatula to ensure full contact since they naturally want to curl up. The adhesive melts off so you can simply peel the stamp off (not as easily as other methods). It is best reserved for your most valuable stamps that you don't want ANY fading on.

[@stevenbalekic5683]

The way you mention is the correct way according to a few official post carriers. They mentioned the oil based adhesive is stuck to a water based adhesive of which is attached to the back of the stamp. This water based layer is purposely added for collecters to remove stamps from envelopes. The reason it takes longer is newer stamps ink has a varnish on them that is waterproof, but it will eventually seep into the water layer and leave the oil adhesive on the envelope.

[@juliewest6114]

Is poisons by smell or to your skin

[@RDCards]

thanks for sharing

[@shanedaniel7]

Awesome! Only one video on your channel?

[@nicolettsartjourney]

How can I remove stucked stumps from a really old album without damaging. Thank you for the video.

[@jamesdarnell8568]

Cut them out and soak them in water.

[@leburnham5864]

I just bought a small collection at a garage sale, (mostly for the Revenue stamps from the mid 1800's to late 1800's; and discovered that some of the regular postage stamps had been attached to the page with adhesive tape squares and a white glue. Fortunately, none of them were "Big Dollar Stamps" collector wise. There were maybe 20+ out of several hundred attached this way. Will this method work to remove the tape and glue? This collection book was dated 1943. The good part was most had actual stamp hinges used. Thanks for any thoughts.

[@donhedger3297]

+L E Burnham Heptane-N will not work on tape or glue from "40's ~ you can only soak these and hope glue is not wood workers whitw glue ~ your stamps with hidge or glue will never be MNH so soak them now they will be Mint no glue

[@apollomars1678]

stamp hinges suck, they are often acid and become brown and damage the backside. Filmoplast is better, it is used for book repairing, but i wouldnt use actual stamp hinges for a stamp collection, anyway.

[@dennisferguson9129]

Remove with lighter fluid then scrape and wipe. Very simple!

[@imanbattikha7959]

does this heptane (N) affect or remove/affect ink signature or ink stamp on the paper, or it just evaporate and nothing has happened ?

[@dougnoernberg469]

I have never had a problem with it, and I have used it on stamps, labels, etiquettes, meters, etc. from many different countries. I have yet to find it damage anything.

[@siddis9484]

My impression is that this problem occures only with USMail selfadhessives. Never the less, thanks a lot for the solution to a problem that I could not find elsewhere! Greetings from Norway.

[@johngreen3543]

I have also had problems with recent UK stamps that have a slit in them.

[@notsnotsu]

Good idea

[@stampsparadise624]

Nice methode👏