Your Simple Guide to Processing Stamps

The following hints may be useful for those of you who have not worked much with stamps before and they can be passed on to the clubs.

First of all, avoid unnecessary work — some stamps cannot be sold and should not be collected at all. Ask your Area Philatelist or RSD if you do not already know about these stamps. 

Remove
The first step in the process is to remove the stamp from the envelope. Some people pre-soak the end or even all of the envelope directly, but most people cut off the corner with the stamp before pre-soaking. This leaves the rest of the envelope dry and therefore of possible value. In some places extra cash for the Brotherhood Fund can be earned by selling the envelopes to a paper recycling company. Look in the Yellow Pages. 

If you are cutting, keep a margin of approximately five millimetres around the stamp, on a single thickness of paper. Never peel the stamp off the envelope.

In some Regions, the stamps are now ready to be sold. It is up to the Area Philatelist to advise if he can sell by weight if the Region does not make the announcement.

Already in this first step it is time to throw away all damaged stamps — peeled, torn, clipped, smeared or with heavy cancellation which obliterates design. Remember that stamps in perfect condition will keep up interest in new purchases and raise the price.

Soak
The next step is to soak the stamps loose from the paper. This is the step that removes any remaining glue.

• Use a lot of water! Remember that the glue from the stamps will mix with the water and will damage the stamps if the concentration of glue is too high.

• Soak any stamps on coloured paper, particularly yellow, separately! If one paper discolours the water the whole content can be ruined. Generally speaking, the chances of obtaining uncoloured stamps are very small and not worth the extra effort involved.

• Never use hot water! The stamp may come loose more easily but it is also easier to damage the stamp through discolouring.

• Leave the stamps to loosen from the paper themselves! Do not force them. An hour should be sufficient.

To ensure that all the glue disappears, move the loose stamps to a bucket full of clean water. Rinse as often as necessary to remove any remaining glue. 

This is also the time for removing selvages and discarding torn or otherwise damaged stamps. Do not remove the selvage if it contains the sheet number or has special wording such as "Use zip code," "Mail early," etc. There are collectors who prize these oddities. Also, connected stamps are more valuable.

Dry
Now it is time to dry the stamps. The best way is to put them with the front side down on several layers of newspaper. Stamps which are alike can be laid out in groups. Put another newspaper on top and allow to dry for at least 24 hours. Slight pressure will ensure that the stamps stay flat and do not curl.

Do not dry stamps in the oven or near heat. This causes them to curl and scorch. Scorched stamps will not sell and curled stamps are hard to bundle neatly.

Sort & Bundle
Work on a dark surface, with good lighting (natural light is best). Remove stamps from the newspaper with tweezers or tongs and sort by theme, set, size or chronologically, discarding any damaged stamps.  

Count stamps into bundles of 105 of the same kind to allow for imperfect ones that may escape your eye. Put a paper ribbon around the bundle, large enough to keep the bundle together but small enough to allow the stamp to be recognised without problem, and fasten on the back with cellulose tape.

Do not secure bundles with rubber bands, paper clips, staples or anything which could damage the stamps. Bundles should be neat and firm, not falling apart. Do not bundle damp stamps — they dry and get loose in their banding strip.

Ask your Area Philatelist or RSD for special advice. Some dealers want the bundles to be marked with the quantity and a reference number from a stamp catalogue.

After this, you will doubtless have less than 100 of a lot of stamps. If you think you will receive more of the same stamp you should keep them until the next soaking. The others should be sorted, counted and put in glassine envelopes which can be purchased at stamp hobby shops. Mark the reference number and quantity on the front of the envelope. Put groups of 25 stamps facing the front and the others facing the back. If there are only a few of one kind, you can put mixed stamps of the same denomination in one envelope. 

It is best to send stamps in bundles of 100 but this cannot be done with anything but current issues, so don't hang on to the "oldies" too long. Keep your storehouse as up to date as possible.

Remember that these are general rules which may differ around the world. Ask your Area Philatelist for advice.

Forward
When you are satisfied that your stamps are truly collectors' items — no torn ones, no stains, no creases, no glue on them, no selvages left on and no imperfections in the perforations, then forward them. Prepare your parcels carefully. Be sure that the stamps will not be damaged in transit. Stamps should be forwarded regularly: from individuals to Club Brotherhood Fund chairpersons and then via the RSD for BF to the Area Philatelist. 

If these hints are followed, your Area Philatelist will receive a packet of stamps that will give a nice sum of money to the Brotherhood Fund.

Brotherhood Fund Awards
To stimulate the collection of used postage stamps in local clubs and the raising of more money for the Fund, there is an annual BF contest and the following BF awards are made.

Programmes