Removing Hinges from Stamps

[John Earnhart]

Anyone know the proper method to remove hinges from stamps (leaving the
maximum amount of gum)?

Thanks,
John Earnhart

[AJJensen]

Here is a very old trick that USUALLY works very well.

Rub the hinge with the top (flat) of your stamp tongs. Rub it (don't use too
much preasure) over the entire part of the hinge attached to the stamp. Try to
peal the hinge. If some parts are still stuck, rub it some more.

The rubbing and SLIGHT preasure seem to break up the gum on the hinge enough so
that it peals off easly.

It doesn't always work and if the collector puting the original hinge on was a
"dog tougue", forget it. But you will be surprised how well it usually works,
try it and see for yourself.

Jerry Jensen

[AMBRAJA]

Safest way I know is the sweat box method. I am not choosy and have feelings
against no gum so I soak'em.

Ralph Ambrose

[Tracy Barber]

I've seen varied results, but for some stamps it's worth the time it
takes to "clean" those old nasty hinges.

Certain countries / groups of countries / time periods perform better
than others. Older French Colonies seem to take the gum with it, no
matter how much you "work it". 8^(

Sometimes, it seems there's just way tooo much junk and I soak them,
like other have said.

Tracy Barber

[col...@compuserve.com]

In article <36785A...@qualcomm.com>,

The following is a method shown me by a major dealer many years ago ...

Use *ice cold water* and a very fine brush (he used a Chinese calligraphy
brush sharpened to a needle point)

Paint the back of the hinge *only* and use only enough water to wet through
the hinge.

This frequently leaves a very smooth result, without the danger of gum
sweating (the sweatbox method sometimes has gum melting onto perf tips etc)
and the "naked paper" syndrome which you can sometimes get from rubbing the
back of the hinge with tongs.

This works well with the ugly paper hinges as well -- he used to buy Brit.
Commpnwealth issues with the brown hinges cheap - then sell them as
lightly hinged when done. It works best with good paper - there is no
good way of removing hinges from (say) the Quebec Tercentenary issue
of Canada ...

Dave Cunningham
http://go.compuserve.com/collectibles

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[samins...@my-dejanews.com]

In article <36785A...@qualcomm.com>,
John Earnhart <jear...@qualcomm.com> wrote:
> Anyone know the proper method to remove hinges from stamps (leaving the
> maximum amount of gum)?
>
> Thanks,
> John Earnhart

> Unless the hinge pops off easily, removing it will probably leave you with

disturbed gum. At the same time, leaving the hinge may cause the stamp to
buckle over time. If you don't want to soak it, and rubbing with stamp tongs
won't pop it loose, you may be able to remove the hinge using a small camel
hair brush and water. Very small amounts of water applied to the hinge area
will loosten the hinge in most cases without severely damaging the gum. Its
important to restrict the water to the hinge and avoid the gum. Let the
water soak into the hinge for a few minutes and then try to gradually work it
loose. Patience is essential. After the hinge is removed, smooth the damp
gum a bit with the brush. Drying is critical. The stamp must be placed gum
down on a piece of Handi-wrap while still damp. The Handi-wrap is then place
between a folded kleenex and placed under a heavy pane of plate glass. Put
10-20 lbs of books on the glass and leave it for about a week. When you
remove the stamp after its dry, it will pop off the Handi-wrap with no
problem. There are major potential problems with this method, but it
frequently results in a beautiful removal job. Just realize the odds are
high you will either damage the stamp or have seriously disturbed gum.
Sometimes, the application of water will cause a permanent bend to the stamp
which can only be remedied by soaking the gum off entirely. As a consequence
you should practice on cheap stamps until you get the technique down pat. I
don't use this method much as I've learned its easier just to buy lightly
hinged stamps. Sam Raguso.

[Roger K. "Rod" Smyczek]

Jerry's method works fairly well but I have another trick. I use stamp lift
fluid applying it with a photo-retoucher's "Spotting" brush. I apply it very
carefully to the hinge only. Allow it to sit for about one minute and then
carefully use sharp pointed tongs to "Lift" the hinge. Spotting brushes are
not cheap. They cost about $7.00 each. I rinse them very well in cold running
water after use.

Roger K. "Rod" Smyczek