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Old 08-02-2021, 05:25 PM
FrankWakefield FrankWakefield is offline
Frank Wakefield
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Franklin KY
Posts: 2,752
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Have you ever soaked a T206?

First, I really doubt that the postmark would fade or dissolve in water. The stamp would soak off from water, not the postmark. (I've soaked stamps off envelopes, red cancellations bleed a bit, cold water minimizes that slightly. Look at used postage stamps on eBay, you'll see zillions of stamps that were soaked and the postal markings survive.)

Secondly, that signature on the other side that we aren't seeing... SLIGHTLY dampen a Q-tip with water, gently touch it quickly to the slightest bit of a bit of random signature ink if its present, or to a bit of the signature; see if any signature ink transferred to the Q-Tip. If it did, then you have water soluble ink, so no soaking. If there's no transfer, try the Q-tip process again for longer, and again, until you're comfortable that the signature won't bleed or fade.

Next, DO NOT SOAK it yet, even if you're thinking you could... dampen a Q-tip and see if you can work loose an edge of that blue paper you want rid of... if the glue on that isn't water soluble, then there's no point to soaking. If it does loosen, then maybe keep it out of water but try to dampen on the blue paper side and work that blue paper loose. Hopefully, the blue paper absorbs water quicker than the cardstock of postcard, and if it does, then work on some of it, then stop and let the cardstock dry. It may take a few days to get that blue paper off if you're doing a bit at a time. If the cardstock gets saturated for some time, then it is subject to being warped or stretched a bit while wet. Multiple dampenings instead of a long soak minimizes that.i I'd have dishtowels with the thickness of a tee-shirt handy for an initial blotting of dampness, then paper towel sandwich with some heavy books atop, and eventually sandwiched in some thick bond paper in a stack of books.
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