Based on a Paper given at the 87th Philatelic Congress of Great
Britain, Derby on 8th July, 2005
.....continued
Treatments
Philatelic material that needs any kind of treatment should be shown to
a paper conservator. Not all treatments are advisable, indeed some will
cause damage. This many not at first be apparent but it may emerge in
time. The bleaching of items is not recommended and many of the methods
or techniques carried out in the past have ruined stamps and covers. Do
not be tempted to do it yourself!
Another point to remember is that repairs, cleaning, etc may be
acceptable in some areas of paper object collecting, but not in
philately as in some instances fraud may result either in a sale or in
exhibiting. Only in exceptional and rare instances will any repair work
be acceptable. A good example of this is the first stamps of Hawaii, the
Missionary stamps of 1851-52, which are printed on very thin and fragile
paper. Many of the 199 copies that exist are repaired. If they had not
been they probably would not exist today!
As I said at the beginning you are the custodian of your material for
your life time or until you sell. Do look after it for future
generations otherwise nothing will exist to collect, study, research and
enjoy!
I should like to thank Barry Knight, Head of Conservation Research at
the British Library, for checking aspects of this paper.
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