How to Remove Adhesive Postage Stamps to Collect

Preparing a Used Stamp for Collection

• 1

  Use scissors to cut the stamp away from the envelope. Leave a small margin of envelope paper around the stamp.

• 2

  Place the stamp/envelope paper in a small bowl filled with lukewarm water, face up so that the envelope paper is in contact with the water. Make sure the water is not hot or it can make the stamp color bleed and fade. If the envelope is colored, add 1 tablespoon of salt for every 1/3 cup of water used in the bowl to prevent excessive bleeding of the envelope's dye, which can be absorbed by the stamp. Soak the stamp for at least 30 minutes or until the edges begin to peel away from the envelope paper.

• 3

  Remove the stamp/envelope paper from the water. Use stamp tweezers (special tweezers with broadened grip pads, designed especially to handle stamps) to carefully peel the stamp up and away from the envelope paper.

• 4

  Holding the stamp with the tweezers, rinse it gently under cold tap water at low flow.

• 5

  Dry the stamp by dabbing it gently with a paper towel. Do not wipe the stamp or the print might smear.

• 6

  Place the stamp face down on a sheet of paper. Place a sheet of wax paper over the backside of the stamp to avoid sticking in case some adhesive remains, then place the package in the middle of a heavy book to press the stamp during drying to avoid crinkling.

• 7

  Mount the stamp in a collection book or binder.