Hi, I have 2 mint never hinged German Air Mail stamps from 1936, Scott #C57 and C58. (See Below) They are among those German stamps where the gum on the back contains sulfuric acid. I noted in the Scott catalog that collectors frequently if not always remove the gum off the backs of stamps with this particular gum so as to better preserve them. You can see the dark color of the gum through the stamp...probably a stain. Looking for advice and input on this recommendation. Also, if I need to remove the gum, I'm assuming that I'd just use water to get the job done? Thanks! Stay Safe and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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HockeyNut

11 May 2020
05:26:05am

re: Request for Information...

Hello DigDaddyDave.

The MICHEL catalog says "REMOVAL OF THE GUM WAS RECOMMENDED"
The price in the catalog is for (*) which means unused without gum or partial with gum or somewhat brownish, discolored pieces without gum.

If the gum on both stamps are original and intact, I see no reason to remove them at all unless of course if it causes undesirable appearance to the stamps.
Is the latter the case then you can simply soak them in water.

But be aware with other zeppelin stamps, some are "WASSER-EMPFINDLICH" which means sensitive to water. If you soak them in water the colors of the image side will dissapear.

P.S.
The stamps with gum that contains sulphuric acid attracts water. That is why you get brown stains in the paper.

 
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