Stamp panes stuck together

Sorry Nadeem, I can't think of anything other than steam or gentle water spray etc...

I know its possibly too late now but they have to have a seperating sheet between them, tissue paper perhaps?

John.

Thanks, John.Yes, I should have put a separating sheet in between. You know that should have, could have and would have always give heartaches and this is one of that occasion.

Regards;

Nadeem

Please read the response I sent to TECHNO.

Thanks.

Regards;

nadeem

"I know its possibly too late now but they have to have a seperating sheet between them, tissue paper perhaps?"

Best protection is to place each individual stamp in a glassine envelope. Never stack them and tie them in neat little bundles.

Stores selling stamp albums and supplies may have a solution to separate them.

DON'T take on the task of testing every liquid that comes to mind.

Please see my note of 11/01/2007 to Techno and all of you who responded.

Regards;

Nadeem

11062007

Dear RLindey, Electroman, Techno and Stirling Stan:

As I promised that I wil be back on Nov 1st, I am here to report the experiments to peel off the stuck stamps.

I am addressing this message to all of you kind folks.

I should have been writing to you individualy but I am taking a short cut and writing to all of you at the same time. I hope you do not mind.

On Tuesday, after I performed my patriotic duty for the day (I went for jury duty selection), I put about 1/2" blob of stamps in the water as the steaming the wet stamps, rather damp stamps, in the microwave oven did not work. I was standing right there at the oven with the light on to see they do not burn.

Then about 10 PM, I put the whole blob in the deep tray filled with luke warm water and went to sleep. Next morning, I could peel them off very easily. No glue as the water turn like light beer (I do not drink any alcohol but know the color) with all that glue leached off from the stamps. So it worked, Thanks for the tips.

Now I have several 1/2" to 2 and 2 1/2 blobs all thestamps stuck together and I will do each separately. When you pull out gently, the dry stamps take the color away and when damp with overnight soaking, the glue goes away but shine is still there although not as much as it was before soaking. I am happy that all the colors are there and sides and the edges not damaged.

Once again thanks to all of you for the big help.

Regards;

Nadeem Butt

Houston, Texas

11012007

Thanks for the report

Thanks, Techno, for the time you took for this detailed answer. I really appreciate your comments. I am going to do exactly what you suggested. However, I am going to take a short cut and see if you agree. Using your steam system technique, what if I put few stuck stamps sheet in the damp paper towel and put in the microwave oven and after 15 seconds check them if they are loose enough to be peeled apart. I am worried about soaking in the water as they will become too soft by absorbibg water and tear off then I lose the entire pane. What is you opinion about that?

If that does not work then I have no other option except to stand at the steaming pot on the stove in the kitchen.

I am not worried about the value of stamps as I am not in the selng business. This is to satisfy myself that I have every issue of every stamp that US postal office ever issued in last 30 years. Teenagers habits very seldom die no matter how old you become. I collect stamps, coins, pens, pencils, match boxes, paper napkins from restaurants, credit cards and any thing that I have some thing written on it like boarding passes that I have since last 30 to 35 years.

I am not a junk collector but like to have few things to think about where I was when I got this. Now I wish to have these stamps back to me as a single pane without losing the beauty and the luster.

I shall report back to you as to how successful I was or did I fall flat on my face.

Regards;

Nadeem

I had a simlar problem several years ago while living in a basement room. The suggestion at the time was to put the panes in the freezer. After a few hours I was able to split some of the panes, those panes that where partially stuck. I lost a few during this process and used them for postage. I still have the rest that are waiting for imaculate separation.

Thanks, RLindey for the suggestion.

I shall try this one first as this is the easiest way of trying to peel them off.

Techno and Electro also responded with the following.

Next will be to put them in the wet/damp paper towel and steam them in the microwave oven for few seconds and check and redo.

Then I will go for the steaming standing at the stove with pan full with boiling water.

If all those above fail, them I will soak them in the water. I was told that it will greatly reduce the value bt it is not for sale but for my satisfaction so it does not matter. I just want them peeled apart with individual sheets and all stamps saved.

And this is mine:

"If all these options fail then I will curse for my stupidity that I was young, naive and more realistically an idiot to not consult some one for storing. Please, pleae do not tell me to try the last option as I know I did some thing very idiotic to not to take care of stamps earlier" and save the blob.

Thanks to all of those who responded and for all the suggestions. I am going to try to separate them this weekend and let y'all know the outcome. Please wish me luck.

Regards;

Nadeem

10222007

Please see my note of 11-01-2007 written to Techno and you all who responded to my problem.

Thanks.

Regards;

Nadeem

11062007

It was the humidity in the air that stuck them together in the first place. The safest would be the sweat box.

The Microwave sounds interesting, however, it would work better if you covered it with say an upside down Tupperware container to contain the steam / humidity.

Be aware, the paper may still be soft. General rule, don't force the stamps apart. Be gentile.

Be careful not to catch paper on fire.

Splendid idea, Techno.

I will put the stamps in the damp paper towel, a few at a time and cover with the microwave splatterproof cover and watch the inside fog up and then stop and check. I shall be gentle and use twizzer to lift up one pane and see if it peels off. Thanks.

This weekend, this will be my task. Then go back to Jury duty selection.on 30th Oct. While sitting in the room, I will read the book titled; "Mafia Is Not An Equal Opportunity Employer" The court people will see me reading that book and for sure they will me throw me out. Then I will come back to work. I know it is shameful thing to say and run away from this honor but I just do not feel like gettinmg stuck in there for longer than I have to. So, I am hoping that I would not be selected and they will let me go soon very gracefully like they did last time and I did not have to read that.

I will respond to y'all on Wednesday next, Nov 1st.

Thanks and with regards;

Nadeem Butt

10232004