How to Restore Postage Stamps

Wet Cleaning

• 1

  Test the ink on one small corner to make certain it is insoluble and will not run. Old inks are usually stable.

• 2

  Clamp the stamp to a nonmetallic screen with a nonmetallic clamp.

• 3

  Mix four drops of clear liquid soap into one pint of water. Make certain that there is no color in the soap. Immerse the clamped stamp slowly into this solution.

• 4

  Press the water from the clean stamp on white blotter paper.

• 5

  Place the stamp between two sheets of white blotter paper when all the moisture is removed.

• 6

  Set a medium-weight book on top of the stamp and allow it to sit overnight.

• 7

  Remove pencil marks by gentle rubbing with powdered pumice on a cotton swab. The paper may be too weak to handle this action without compromise.

• 8

  Add alum to hot water to remove stains. Immerse the stamp into this solution and delicately rub the stain with a cotton swab. Rinse in clear water, blot and press.

Dry Cleaning

• 9

  Place the stamp on white blotter paper.

• 10

  Use a white pencil eraser to gently rub the stamp. Do not use vigorous motions in this erasing; in fact, be gentle so that the paper does not become compromised. Faber-Castell Magic-Rub #M-196 is a good eraser to use in this procedure. Be sure to keep a clean edge on the eraser.

• 11

  Brush with a soft shaving brush to remove loose dust.

• 12

  Sprinkle Draughtsman's cleaning powder over especially difficult dirt.

• 13

  Use a circular motion and the soft brush to move the powder from the center of the dirty spot to the edges.

• 14

  Use cotton balls instead of your fingers to handle the stamp and brush off the powder with the soft brush.