Stamp Paper Thins Part II Of II

In continuation to the post on Wednesday.

After using the watermark fluid, you should place the stamp on a blotter. Allowing the stamp to dry further will show the severity of your stamp thin. White patches on drying stamps will reveal where the thin areas are.Re-submerging your stamp might be necessary if the hinge remnants appear as white marks when drying. They could look like thinned paper. These mayl not appear as dark patches when first placed in watermark fluid and should be re-submerged to verify their identity.

Thins located on watermarks, thins opposite cancellations, shallow small thins, and thins on orange or yellow high contrast stamp designs might not be visible even after you place them in watermark fluid. In these cases, contacting a stamp expert would be in order.

You will need a light source, watermark tray and fluid, blotter or drying block, tongs, and UV light to properly identify thins.

It is wise to look carefully at any stamp that you intend to purchase. You should never buy a high-valued stamp unless you first observe the stamp for thins. Additionally, be sure to ask any stamp dealer for a quality guarantee, just in case you find that the stamp does have a thin that has been repaired. A good stamp dealer will be happy to answer your questions and address your concerns. This way, you can protect your financial interest.