Collecting Stamps is one of the most interesting hobbies of the world. There are many ways of collecting stamps: you can collect mint or used stamps. There are many types of stamps we have, for example, the commemorative, definitive, and special ones. There are also many different formats. We can start collecting stamps by saving stamps from letters, packages or postcards. There are many beginning collectors that chooses a favorite subject like animals, art, sports, history, transports, or any other theme as the theme of their collections.

By now, I will talk about Collecting used stamps. There are many collectors that prefered used stamps because there an history on used stamps. You can collect envelopes or only the stamps. If you want to collect only the used stamps without envelope, how do you remove the stamps from envelope?

The best way to remove stamps from envelopes is Soaking. Tear the envelope/cover around the stamp and leaves a small margin. With the stamp facing down, place into a pan of warm water (not hot). After a few minutes (it depends of the stamps kind, self-adhesive gum ones may take longer), the stamp should be sunk to the bottom. Remove the stamp preferably using stamp tongs when all adhesive is dislodged and then place the stamp between two paper towels and put a heavy object, like a book, on top to keep out the curling of the stamp as it dries. Leave it dry overnight. In the next day you have your stamps ready to put on your collection.

By: Nuno Marques

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