QEII Wildings - wmk and phosphor detection
dan hoadley
and detect watermarks and phosphor strips. The watermarks
seem very difficult to detect. Ditto the phosophor strips. I
would appreciate any advice anyone has.
Has anyone used the Raytech superstar UV light sold by Subway? Or
the Safe Signoscope.
Also, is anyone aware of a study group for the Wildings?
James M. McCain
Dan,
First, I do not know anything Wilding study groups. But I can answer
your questions about detecting watermarks and phosphor strips.
I have a trusty old Signoscope that I have used for years. I find it
the best to find watermarks. For me, nothing else even comes close.
While expensive, it has paid for itself many times over in identifying
stamps. I have used Morley-Bright (worthless in my opinion) and of
course, watermark fluid. Watermark fluid is good also, but you have
to subject your stamps to chemicals. It can be dangerous to your
stamp and your health and safety. So why do it if you do not have to.
Certain inks will dissolve (and run). I destroyed a Bahamas 329
(Scott number for you universalist) by putting it in watermark fluid.
The colors all ran together.
Now on detecting phosphor strips, I do that the manual way. The
batteries are long dead in my Raytechs. Phosphor bands on can be
detected by the plain old eye with the right procedure is used. Take
the stamp in a pair of stamp tongs. Extent it out to a full arms
length toward a strong light source. The light source can be sunshine
or a bright artificial light source such as a light bulb or florescent
light. With the arm fully extended, hold the stamp parallel to you
so that see none of the front or back surface. The gently rock the
stamp back and forth for about 30% while exposing the front side. The
reflection of the light off the gum surface will expose the phosphor
strips.
This method only works when the phosphor is in strips or partially
covers a stamp. If the whole stamp is covered in phosphorus, there is
not difference in reflectivity on the stamp face and therefore no way
to detect it.
By the way, this is the same method I use to detect hinging that can’t
be seen by the eye while looking at the gum with the stamp 90 degrees
to your vision, i.e., lying flat on a table. You can detect the
faintest hinge mark by the rocking method.
Jim McCain
mcca...@airmail.net
http://web2.airmail.net/mccainjm
James M. McCain
strips, rock the stamps exposing the face, not gum side. Rock
exposing face side for phosphor and exposing gum side for
hinging.
Sorry for the error.
Jim
Steven McLachlan
I am attempting to sort through a large number of QEII Wildings
and detect watermarks and phosphor strips. The watermarks
seem very difficult to detect. Ditto the phosophor strips. I
would appreciate any advice anyone has.
Has anyone used the Raytech superstar UV light sold by Subway? Or
the Safe Signoscope.
Also, is anyone aware of a study group for the Wildings?
It is easist to sort out the phosphor strips or bands by holding the stamp at
an oblique angle to the light. I find this method easy. it is certainly
harder to tell by phosphor or UV lamp and I've tried many of these. UV lamps
are good for Canada tagged issues, Australian Helicon inks etc but fairly
useless on GB phosphors.
The watermarks are certainly difficult. The best dry method is the Safe
Signascope but this is not cheap.
Regards,
Steven McLachlan,
Christchurch,
New Zealand.
dan hoadley
Thanks Steve.
I too would be interested in a Wildings study group.
Dan
> Christchurch,
> New Zealand.
>
gtucker
I have brought both in for customers and they both are happy. (The items
are expensive enough the I wanted their feedback before I recommended
them)
I must admit the I usually can see the ph. by carefully holding the stamp
at an angle to the light.
Jerry
Seaside Book & Stamp
In article <61c7cc$11439.2f9@NEWS>, da...@ieway.com says...