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How to Remove Canceled Stamps

It's a federal crime to remove canceled (or uncanceled) stamps off envelopes and attempt to reuse them again. But, if you're a stamp collector, retrieving used stamps can help add to your collection for no cost. As a rule, mint or new stamps carry a higher value than canceled stamps. Still, used stamps have their values. Their values depend on a few factors including their rarity and condition. Canceled stamps can be marred or completely ruined if they're not removed properly.

Things You'll Need

Small pan
Stamp tongs
Paper towels
Book

Instructions

- 1
  Tear the corner of the envelope off where the stamp is located. Leave a small margin of paper around the entire stamp. Handle it by the paper surrounding the edges.
- 2
  Place an inch of very warm water into a pan. Turn the canceled stamp upside down and put it into the water. Allow it to soak for a few minutes. The glue on newer, self-adhesive stamps will take longer to loosen than the older gummed ones.
- 3
  Use a pair of stamp tongs to remove the stamp from the water. If it's still attached to the envelope, put it back in the water and let it soak a few minutes longer.
- 4
  Remove the canceled stamp from the water. Carefully place it between two paper towels, according to shop.usps.com. Place a book on top of it to flatten it out. Let the stamp dry overnight.

Stamp Collecting