Removing stamps from an old album

[JanetC]

I just got a couple albums from an ebay lot.  One a US and the other a world album.  Most of the stamps have been put in using scotch tape or masking tape.  I'm trying to remove the stamps from the albums.  The ones put in with scotch tape are lifting up pretty easily.  My problem are the ones that are stuck down using the masking tape.
Is there an easy way to remove these with minimal damage to the stamps?

[Bee]

Janet try hot water with dishwasher mixture and a little salt..if you are not going to use the albums again.

[Admin Bear]

oh man tape is the worst!!!

i agree with Bee though.. warm to hot water and some Dawn dish soap...

you may have to soak them longer but in the end if you are lucky enough to get them out it will be worth it..

dont count them as yours until they are out and dry though... you will suffer losses for sure.

[JanetC]

Well, I was kinda hoping to salvage at least the US album but it doesn't look like it unless I just leave the stamps in as is.

I may try the soap and water on the world album.

[Craig]

Good luck! Let us know what works, 'kay?

[stampdays]

Hi Janet,

Check to see if that seller has any other philatelic items for sale. If so, they know better than not to mention the tape.

Even if they didn't know better, ignorance is no excuse (just ask any cop or lawyer).

Since the stamps were not identified as being stuck on with tape, I would seriously consider filing a claim through eBay if the seller will not make it right (maybe a partial refund would suffice).

If any lot is not described correctly, the buyer has the right to seek compensation. Some sellers count on buyers not doing so, but will reluctantly reimburse those who do catch them.

If a misidentified lot is too costly to return because of weight, then that seller request is not reasonable and they should bare the full expense.

In any event, I would give neutral or negative feedback (dependent on their attitude), so any future buyers will know what they may be purchasing.

[Perfs14]

I would use Zippo (or similar hydrocarbon) as the adhesive in masking tape is likely to be non-polar

[Gordon Lee]

Greetings Ms. JanetMc
.
I agree with Mr. Perfs14. If not lighter fluid, at least try Pure Citrus.
.
Respectfully,

Gordon Lee

[cbavier]

stampdays if it's the same one I saw on EBAY he stated some were stuck down with tape and I think he said some were glued down too. Janet wasn't trying to recover her money. Just as many stamps as she could.

[JanetC]

No, this isn't the same seller. Just went back and re-read the original listing. She did say some were hinged, which they were. I didn't spend very much on this and don't want my money back as I have found a couple of stamps that cover the value of what I spent. She doesn't have any other stamp stuff listed so this might be someone just trying clean stuff out. 

I was just looking for suggestions to get the taped ones out of the albums. The scotch taped ones lifted pretty easily with a nail file slipped under the stamp. The masking tape ones I'll try the Zippo on and see if that works or the citrus.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

[JanetC]

Update:
Tried this on the World Album first. Squirted a little lighter fluid on the stamp and it lifted off the page pretty easy. There was still sticky residue left on the stamp so used a bit of citrus on that. Worked great.
Tried using the citrus on the sticky stuff left on the page. Don't do this. When you rub it, it smears the ink on the page.

I know what I'm doing the rest of today. 3920004554

[troutdude]

id throw away any stamps that were taped, they will ruin your albums eventually . . scotch tape and masking tape just ruin everything, just throw the whole mess away