Based on my personal experience I'd say:
* The stamps of Malta and Norway will soak easily.
* Stamps of France will soak somewhat easily as long as you remember to use hot (almost boiling) water. There are some exceptions (for example Stamp Day 2011 stamps) that have got similar single-layer gum as US stamps; they are best preserved on paper.
* Italy... Up to 2010 most stamps (with exception of golden priority stamps and few others) will soak somewhat easily, after that it's a real struggle.
-k-
Thank you VERY MUCH for your detailed reply, SCB!!!! I will use your guidelines if I have to soak any of these when they arrive. I know that the France ones will probably come to me on paper and the other countries may already been soaked but just in case I will be prepared.
If you have had any experience with recent issues from Israel, I would appreciate knowing about those. That should get me up to date for the time being.
Mike in NC / meostamps
Stamps from Germany will soak off paper, but be careful that the gum is dissolved before removing the stamp from the paper. If not, you'll thin the stamp where the gum pulls off.
@meostamps.... Haven't had any issues with recent Israel stamps either.
-k-
Much has been said about the soaking results of recent US & Canadian stamps but I have questions regarding recent issues from other countries. Over the next few weeks, I hope to receive recent (2000-2015) issues from Malta, Norway, Italy & France. Before I land up destroying them by using normal soaking methods, I would like to know if members have had experience with recent S/A issues from these countries in particular and what they suggest from that experience. One member has already advised me not to even try soaking the issues from France, so info on the other countries would be appreciated. As I run across others, I will add them to this topic.
I am only really interested in using the old fashion water soaking method so please limit responses with that in mind. I have no intention in becoming a part time chemist at this stage of the game, hehe.
Thanks in advance for any info that members can supply.
Mike in NC / meostamps
re: Question on soaking of recent stamps from different WW contries mainly Self-Adhesives
Based on my personal experience I'd say:
* The stamps of Malta and Norway will soak easily.
* Stamps of France will soak somewhat easily as long as you remember to use hot (almost boiling) water. There are some exceptions (for example Stamp Day 2011 stamps) that have got similar single-layer gum as US stamps; they are best preserved on paper.
* Italy... Up to 2010 most stamps (with exception of golden priority stamps and few others) will soak somewhat easily, after that it's a real struggle.
-k-
re: Question on soaking of recent stamps from different WW contries mainly Self-Adhesives
Thank you VERY MUCH for your detailed reply, SCB!!!! I will use your guidelines if I have to soak any of these when they arrive. I know that the France ones will probably come to me on paper and the other countries may already been soaked but just in case I will be prepared.
If you have had any experience with recent issues from Israel, I would appreciate knowing about those. That should get me up to date for the time being.
Mike in NC / meostamps
re: Question on soaking of recent stamps from different WW contries mainly Self-Adhesives
Stamps from Germany will soak off paper, but be careful that the gum is dissolved before removing the stamp from the paper. If not, you'll thin the stamp where the gum pulls off.
re: Question on soaking of recent stamps from different WW contries mainly Self-Adhesives
@meostamps.... Haven't had any issues with recent Israel stamps either.
-k-