Gustamps advice to philatelists

Removing stamps from paper properly...Gustamps tells you how to do it.

Gustamps explain that if you wish to remove stamps from paper in a safe and clean way, you should soak them. Firstly, say Gustamps, is make sure that the stamps do not have fugitive colours. Gustamps explain that this is when stamps have colours which fade 'or run' when in contact with water. Gustamps also point out you should not include stamps from brightly coloured envelopes such as those used for Christmas or birthday cards. Finally Gustamps add, take care not to include paper which has fountain pen ink on it as this tends to dissolve in water and discolour the stamp. Gustamps go on to say, after the 'safety checks' just put the stamps (on paper) into a plastic bowl and submerge them under luke warm water for 15 minutes. Gustamps say the stamps should easily separate from the paper backing finally say Gustamps remove the stamps from the water and place onto some clean white blotting paper (ordinary white paper should do) face downwards. Gustamps recommend leaving the stamps for a few hours until completely dry when they can be placed into your stamp album.