Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
"This innovative drying book is a must for flat out soaking of stamps off paper. The Desert Magic Drying System utilizes a special release paper with heavy blotting pages. The release paper will not permit stamps, even those with problem gums like PVA, to adhere to the drying surface. The absence of plastic interleaves shortens drying time dramatically. The book measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/4" and contains 7 blotter pages and 6 release pages."
So, does anyone have experiences with this tool? Many, many years ago I purchased a "drying book" and had many problems with stamps (pre self-adhesive) sticking to the pages that I consigned it to a landfill. Don't remember the brand. I wonder how the recent Canadian and US issues would fare using this Showgard book. Anyone know?
Tad
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Hi Tad;
I have one of the Desert Magic book and yea they do work but the release pages are paper with
the top treated to cause no adhesion. However the bottom side of the same page will absorb
moisture from the (not heavy) blotter paper below, and will tend to pucker and wrinkle.
I tried acetate overhead film sheets for the function of the desert magic release sheets, but that
test failed. the acetate curls very badly when damp stamps are applied and should not be used.
My next experiment will be with Grafix® Dura-lar™ which is the Grafix brand of Mylar™. Mylar is
considered usable with wet-media. I'm sure that this will work with allmost all stamps except
problematic stamps.
So I intend to use Dura-lar 9 x 12 sheets and heavy blotter pages cut to the same size for the
easy stamps, and Desert Magic for the problematic ones.
Q; Where to get cheap heavy blotter pages?
A; Buy 19" x 24" photo drying books from Amazon or a photo supply seller, cut them down to size.
They are also wimpy and thin just like Desert Magic. So just use two of them instead of one.
Q; What are problematic issues?
A; All PVA adhesive stamps, and also some modern Romanian and Russian stamps, and sometimes
old Austrian stamps. Also any stamp that feels slimy after soaking for longer than 45 minutes in
warm water can be a problem. Use the Desert Magic release sheets for all those and double the
blotters to 2-3 sheets for faster drying times.
Q; What can be done to speed up drying?
A; Press multiple sheets sandwiched between two 9x12 sheets of 3/8" plywood and clamp gently
with c-clamps or spring clamps. Place in your oven with accurate thermometer and a rough-service
incandescent bulb of 100-150 watts. Experiment with the wattage to get temperature to 150ºF.
Don't go higher than 150º tho. I used 150º with the Desert Magic book without a problem.
Safety tip; remove the plastic binding strip from Desert Magic if you decide to use oven, as it
probably will melt.
Another way to speed up drying; place stamps 1/8" apart face-up with their backs against the
mylar or Desert Magic release sheet and when full, place clean paper towel on top and blot off ex-
cess moisture. Then remove paper towel and apply blotters on top. The paper towels can be re-
used. They should be the heaviest non embossed brand.
I used to use a steam iron (set for cotton) without the steam, but some stamps stuck to the iron
bottom. The ones that stuck were most of the "problematic" one mentioned above. Always use junk
stamps for the first few trial runs of any new method to be sure the process works. If it does you
should be able to process very large quantities (>1,000) of stamps per day.
I intend to try Mylar also for the problematic ones too, just to see if any of them will release.
Hope this info is helpful.
Keep on soakin'....
TuskenRaider
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I have two of the Desert Showgard books, 8.5x11.5 and the 8.5x5 they work well and do what they say they do. I have used these for about 8 years, while not all stamps just pop off,I would say 98% do and this includes SA stamps. This is based on many thousands of stamps and at about $6 to $8 bucks or so each, I have got my monies worth. After a day or so in the book they are flat and dry, I am in no hurry. After a few uses the books look rough but still work well and when your done, just close the cover and throw them in a drawer.
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I've been using my Desert Magic Books for years and they still look great. To keep them from turning black, I always leave them open for a day or so after using them to dry the blotting pages thoroughly. Oh - I also blot each page with a towel before starting the next page. That keeps the blotting pages from becoming too saturated. I have a pile of thirsty old towels that are just for soaking. I'll reuse them a few times before tossing the whole pile in the wash. Don't use fabric softener on the towels you plan to use for soaking as they won't be as absorbent and you might transfer various chemicals onto the paper.
I have received stamps soaked through various methods, some look curled and I've seen some with the waffle imprint of paper towels embossed into them no less! The stamps dried in the Desert Magic books always come out perfectly smooth and flat. I always place a few heavy books on top of them while they are drying to help this process. I have about 10 of them and stack them in a pile alternating the orientation so the binding plastic doesn't prevent them from lying very flat.
As to putting them in the oven or whatever, I really don't see the need. Mine are usually dry in 6 hours or so although I usually leave them alone for a day.
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I must be too old fashioned. I still use two pieces cut from an old pillow case on the kitchen counter.
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Hi Everyone;
That works okay if you are only doing a few dozen at a time, but I do 1,000-2,000 at a go.
I used to do them on my mom's ironing board until she noticed colorful rectangular shapes like stamps
on her ironing board cover. 
So then I had to figure out a better way. 
Just lurkin'....
TuskenRaider
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Hello, Philatelia,
So, how does it work with recent US self-adhesives. If we use the soak in water with soap method, then much if not all of the adhesive will remain on the stamp. And I have a feeling that it will be hard to peel the stamp from the drying page. Or may I be wrong?
Tad
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"That works okay if you are only doing a few dozen at a time, but I do 1,000-2,000 at a go."
With 10 drying books, I can easily soak 1,000 + stamps.
Hey Tad!! -- the recent self adhesives don't soak off in water. There are several lengthy discussions here about the best way to remove them from the paper. I just leave them as is so I don't have to mess around with chemicals and talc.
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Certified Cynophile,
SR has a thread which has a procedure for soaking recent US using microwaved water and soap. It works, unfortunately most or all of the adhesive remains on the stamp. I experimented with this method - the only way I could get them dry was to lay them face down on a towel. Had a heck of a time unrolling the 2 Medal of Honor ones. After they were dry, There was no way (that I could see) of getting them flat so I ended up using the Pure Citrus and scraping the gunk away. I was hoping there was a drying book that would help flatten them but ....
Tad
{Caretaker of a Wife (Arlette), 2 Pugs (Mutt-ashia and Jeff-ery and a Dachshund (Molly.)}
Where does the time go?
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Microwaving? Wow that is the first time I ever heard that! Thanks - but I think I'll still stick with just trimming them - so much easier!
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Theresa, I thought microwaving was a recent discovery (as in within the last 12 months or so), but here's a discussion that mentions the microwave back in 2010:
http://stamporama.com/discboard/disc_main.php?action=20&id=3709#21160
There is also at least one YouTube video that suggests the microwave for self-adhesive stamp removal. This is the one that caught my eye a month or two ago:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWdVeP-2-wk
The stamp removal part is right at the beginning.
Haven't tried it yet...
-Steve
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With Desert Dry books I have had none of the problems reported above (wrinkling, turning black). I always partially dry the stamps first on paper towels or whatever and dab any excess moisture from them before closing the Desert Dry page. They dry much faster as well.
Not a good idea IMO to put very wet stamps in the book.
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Instead of paper towels, I blot using the towels I mentioned above. Much less expensive than disposable towels. Do you place them on a paper towel then transfer them to the drying book? That would certainly remove most of the moisture and would speed up the drying process. I suppose you could dry the paper towels and reuse them, too. I'm a bit of a recycling fanatic and try to avoid using anything that can't be reused.
Oh gosh - they WILL turn black in the tropics if you're not diligent about drying them. (I live in SE Florida). If you live up north where the winter air has almost zip zero zilch humidity then I can understand completely why you've never encountered the black mold. Thank goodness for Air Conditioning!!!
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Throwing my 2 cents in here;
Like Philatelia, I have 10 of the drying books also. I do the same as she does as well - blot them on a towel first before putting them in the book.
And, I have never had any mold issues with any of them.
They are a great tool and I highly recommend them.
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When I lived up North by you, I never had the mold problem either. Darn tropics! LOL Trouble in paradise 
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I also try to reuse the paper towels. I can see how Florida summers would cause all kinds of trouble. We think it's humid here in DC, but it doesn't compare.
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I have been reading all the great ideas on this thread, so thought I would give my take on the subject. I lay out a clean white towel and place the stamps that have been soaked off paper onto the towel. When I get a sufficient enough amount, I double over the towel and blot the stamps. Gently of course. Now comes the new part. I use an item called “Rags in a Box†that can be obtained from a hardware store. I got mine from a big box store. The “rags†are approximately 13 in. long and 10 in. wide. I use 2 together, and then double them over so they are about the size of a paper towel. I now have 2 layers on top and 2 layers on bottom. The stamps are then placed between the 2 layers. The “rags†with the stamps are placed between 2 pieces of thin cardboard. I stack as many as 5 deep. I then place weight on top which consist of 4 of the Scott WW catalogues. Wait overnight and presto, perfectly flat and dry stamps. The Rags in a Box are design and lint free. Totally reusable as I have used the same ones for over a year and never had any problems. And if you want humidity, I live in South Texas and I will send you some.
Edit to add that the "rags" are not material, rather they are similar to paper towels, only different. Hard to explain.
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I just saw an ad for the Showgard Drying Book. The ad claims:
"This innovative drying book is a must for flat out soaking of stamps off paper. The Desert Magic Drying System utilizes a special release paper with heavy blotting pages. The release paper will not permit stamps, even those with problem gums like PVA, to adhere to the drying surface. The absence of plastic interleaves shortens drying time dramatically. The book measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/4" and contains 7 blotter pages and 6 release pages."
So, does anyone have experiences with this tool? Many, many years ago I purchased a "drying book" and had many problems with stamps (pre self-adhesive) sticking to the pages that I consigned it to a landfill. Don't remember the brand. I wonder how the recent Canadian and US issues would fare using this Showgard book. Anyone know?
Tad
Login to Like
this post
re: Stamp Drying Books
Hi Tad;
I have one of the Desert Magic book and yea they do work but the release pages are paper with
the top treated to cause no adhesion. However the bottom side of the same page will absorb
moisture from the (not heavy) blotter paper below, and will tend to pucker and wrinkle.
I tried acetate overhead film sheets for the function of the desert magic release sheets, but that
test failed. the acetate curls very badly when damp stamps are applied and should not be used.
My next experiment will be with Grafix® Dura-lar™ which is the Grafix brand of Mylar™. Mylar is
considered usable with wet-media. I'm sure that this will work with allmost all stamps except
problematic stamps.
So I intend to use Dura-lar 9 x 12 sheets and heavy blotter pages cut to the same size for the
easy stamps, and Desert Magic for the problematic ones.
Q; Where to get cheap heavy blotter pages?
A; Buy 19" x 24" photo drying books from Amazon or a photo supply seller, cut them down to size.
They are also wimpy and thin just like Desert Magic. So just use two of them instead of one.
Q; What are problematic issues?
A; All PVA adhesive stamps, and also some modern Romanian and Russian stamps, and sometimes
old Austrian stamps. Also any stamp that feels slimy after soaking for longer than 45 minutes in
warm water can be a problem. Use the Desert Magic release sheets for all those and double the
blotters to 2-3 sheets for faster drying times.
Q; What can be done to speed up drying?
A; Press multiple sheets sandwiched between two 9x12 sheets of 3/8" plywood and clamp gently
with c-clamps or spring clamps. Place in your oven with accurate thermometer and a rough-service
incandescent bulb of 100-150 watts. Experiment with the wattage to get temperature to 150ºF.
Don't go higher than 150º tho. I used 150º with the Desert Magic book without a problem.
Safety tip; remove the plastic binding strip from Desert Magic if you decide to use oven, as it
probably will melt.
Another way to speed up drying; place stamps 1/8" apart face-up with their backs against the
mylar or Desert Magic release sheet and when full, place clean paper towel on top and blot off ex-
cess moisture. Then remove paper towel and apply blotters on top. The paper towels can be re-
used. They should be the heaviest non embossed brand.
I used to use a steam iron (set for cotton) without the steam, but some stamps stuck to the iron
bottom. The ones that stuck were most of the "problematic" one mentioned above. Always use junk
stamps for the first few trial runs of any new method to be sure the process works. If it does you
should be able to process very large quantities (>1,000) of stamps per day.
I intend to try Mylar also for the problematic ones too, just to see if any of them will release.
Hope this info is helpful.
Keep on soakin'....
TuskenRaider
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: Stamp Drying Books
I have two of the Desert Showgard books, 8.5x11.5 and the 8.5x5 they work well and do what they say they do. I have used these for about 8 years, while not all stamps just pop off,I would say 98% do and this includes SA stamps. This is based on many thousands of stamps and at about $6 to $8 bucks or so each, I have got my monies worth. After a day or so in the book they are flat and dry, I am in no hurry. After a few uses the books look rough but still work well and when your done, just close the cover and throw them in a drawer.
Login to Like
this post
re: Stamp Drying Books
I've been using my Desert Magic Books for years and they still look great. To keep them from turning black, I always leave them open for a day or so after using them to dry the blotting pages thoroughly. Oh - I also blot each page with a towel before starting the next page. That keeps the blotting pages from becoming too saturated. I have a pile of thirsty old towels that are just for soaking. I'll reuse them a few times before tossing the whole pile in the wash. Don't use fabric softener on the towels you plan to use for soaking as they won't be as absorbent and you might transfer various chemicals onto the paper.
I have received stamps soaked through various methods, some look curled and I've seen some with the waffle imprint of paper towels embossed into them no less! The stamps dried in the Desert Magic books always come out perfectly smooth and flat. I always place a few heavy books on top of them while they are drying to help this process. I have about 10 of them and stack them in a pile alternating the orientation so the binding plastic doesn't prevent them from lying very flat.
As to putting them in the oven or whatever, I really don't see the need. Mine are usually dry in 6 hours or so although I usually leave them alone for a day.
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re: Stamp Drying Books
I must be too old fashioned. I still use two pieces cut from an old pillow case on the kitchen counter.
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re: Stamp Drying Books
Hi Everyone;
That works okay if you are only doing a few dozen at a time, but I do 1,000-2,000 at a go.
I used to do them on my mom's ironing board until she noticed colorful rectangular shapes like stamps
on her ironing board cover. So then I had to figure out a better way.
Just lurkin'....
TuskenRaider
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: Stamp Drying Books
Hello, Philatelia,
So, how does it work with recent US self-adhesives. If we use the soak in water with soap method, then much if not all of the adhesive will remain on the stamp. And I have a feeling that it will be hard to peel the stamp from the drying page. Or may I be wrong?
Tad
Login to Like
this post
re: Stamp Drying Books
"That works okay if you are only doing a few dozen at a time, but I do 1,000-2,000 at a go."
With 10 drying books, I can easily soak 1,000 + stamps.
Hey Tad!! -- the recent self adhesives don't soak off in water. There are several lengthy discussions here about the best way to remove them from the paper. I just leave them as is so I don't have to mess around with chemicals and talc.
1 Member
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re: Stamp Drying Books
Certified Cynophile,
SR has a thread which has a procedure for soaking recent US using microwaved water and soap. It works, unfortunately most or all of the adhesive remains on the stamp. I experimented with this method - the only way I could get them dry was to lay them face down on a towel. Had a heck of a time unrolling the 2 Medal of Honor ones. After they were dry, There was no way (that I could see) of getting them flat so I ended up using the Pure Citrus and scraping the gunk away. I was hoping there was a drying book that would help flatten them but ....
Tad
{Caretaker of a Wife (Arlette), 2 Pugs (Mutt-ashia and Jeff-ery and a Dachshund (Molly.)}
Where does the time go?
Login to Like
this post
re: Stamp Drying Books
Microwaving? Wow that is the first time I ever heard that! Thanks - but I think I'll still stick with just trimming them - so much easier!
Login to Like
this post
re: Stamp Drying Books
Theresa, I thought microwaving was a recent discovery (as in within the last 12 months or so), but here's a discussion that mentions the microwave back in 2010:
http://stamporama.com/discboard/disc_main.php?action=20&id=3709#21160
There is also at least one YouTube video that suggests the microwave for self-adhesive stamp removal. This is the one that caught my eye a month or two ago:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWdVeP-2-wk
The stamp removal part is right at the beginning.
Haven't tried it yet...
-Steve
Login to Like
this post
re: Stamp Drying Books
With Desert Dry books I have had none of the problems reported above (wrinkling, turning black). I always partially dry the stamps first on paper towels or whatever and dab any excess moisture from them before closing the Desert Dry page. They dry much faster as well.
Not a good idea IMO to put very wet stamps in the book.
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re: Stamp Drying Books
Instead of paper towels, I blot using the towels I mentioned above. Much less expensive than disposable towels. Do you place them on a paper towel then transfer them to the drying book? That would certainly remove most of the moisture and would speed up the drying process. I suppose you could dry the paper towels and reuse them, too. I'm a bit of a recycling fanatic and try to avoid using anything that can't be reused.
Oh gosh - they WILL turn black in the tropics if you're not diligent about drying them. (I live in SE Florida). If you live up north where the winter air has almost zip zero zilch humidity then I can understand completely why you've never encountered the black mold. Thank goodness for Air Conditioning!!!
Login to Like
this post
re: Stamp Drying Books
Throwing my 2 cents in here;
Like Philatelia, I have 10 of the drying books also. I do the same as she does as well - blot them on a towel first before putting them in the book.
And, I have never had any mold issues with any of them.
They are a great tool and I highly recommend them.
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re: Stamp Drying Books
When I lived up North by you, I never had the mold problem either. Darn tropics! LOL Trouble in paradise
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re: Stamp Drying Books
I also try to reuse the paper towels. I can see how Florida summers would cause all kinds of trouble. We think it's humid here in DC, but it doesn't compare.
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re: Stamp Drying Books
I have been reading all the great ideas on this thread, so thought I would give my take on the subject. I lay out a clean white towel and place the stamps that have been soaked off paper onto the towel. When I get a sufficient enough amount, I double over the towel and blot the stamps. Gently of course. Now comes the new part. I use an item called “Rags in a Box†that can be obtained from a hardware store. I got mine from a big box store. The “rags†are approximately 13 in. long and 10 in. wide. I use 2 together, and then double them over so they are about the size of a paper towel. I now have 2 layers on top and 2 layers on bottom. The stamps are then placed between the 2 layers. The “rags†with the stamps are placed between 2 pieces of thin cardboard. I stack as many as 5 deep. I then place weight on top which consist of 4 of the Scott WW catalogues. Wait overnight and presto, perfectly flat and dry stamps. The Rags in a Box are design and lint free. Totally reusable as I have used the same ones for over a year and never had any problems. And if you want humidity, I live in South Texas and I will send you some.
Edit to add that the "rags" are not material, rather they are similar to paper towels, only different. Hard to explain.
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