Stamp Soaking and Drying Tools
To separate stamps from envelope paper, collectors soak them in water, which weakens the stamp glue and allows the stamp and paper to drift apart. In some situations, particularly with the new self-adhesive stamps, use of a Lindner stamp removal fluid is helpful.
Even if a stamp appears to be barely attached to the envelope, giving it a tug to remove it from the paper will probably damage it, either by creasing, or by creating a "thin" in the paper. A "thin" is a section on the back of the stamp where the paper has been partially peeled away.
Once the stamp is removed from the envelope or postal card, collectors can finish the process with a stamp drying book, or use a stamp press to assure an undamaged stamp ready for your collection.
