Floating

Floating is a method of removing hinges and backing paper from used stamps when soaking is not advised.

Cardboard stuck on the back should be split or thinned down not only to reduce its thickness but to allow the cardboard to absorb water better.

The name comes from floating the stamp face side up on the surface of a cup or container of clean cool water.
 * This slows the process that can cause fugitive inks to run or chalky papers. Very modern glazed papers can lose printing sometimes.
 * It preserves purple/blue/violet/magenta/red ink cancels.
 * It will prevent yellow/orange envelopes and colored airmail lozenges from soaking into the stamp.

Since you will have to monitor the stamps, this cannot be a batch process. You will probably need to check the progress of the stamp being separated from its backing(s). As it does, carefully remove the stamp, blot the back reasonably dry and place in a (dry) drying book, since there will probably be residual gum left on the back.





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