Regummed stamp
Encyclopedia
In philately
a regummed stamp is an unused stamp without gum, or without full gum, that has had new gum applied to the back to increase its value.
Unused stamps with full original gum (OG) on the back are worth more than stamps without gum, or stamps without complete gum, for instance those that have been mounted using a stamp hinge
.
Until the 1970s it was common for stamps to be mounted using hinges and there was little difference in value between unmounted and previously hinged stamps. Since then a significant price difference has developed between the two types of stamps and unscrupulous stamp collectors and dealers have been tempted to regum previously mounted stamps to make them appear as if they have full original gum.
Regumming may take place just to remove traces of mounting or to disguise more serious faults or repairs, in which case the whole stamp may be given new gum. Regumming to hide repaired faults is not new but regumming to remove traces of mounting is a relatively recent development.
Another test is to use a magnifying glass to see if gum has gathered at the edges of the stamp near the perforations. This will not occur with an original gum stamp as the normal method of stamp production is to perforate the stamp after the paper is gummed and printed. This means the gum is evenly distributed on the back of the stamp before perforating.
If none of the normal tests is definitive then collectors will often obtain an opinion from an expert as to the status of the stamp. This is known as having the stamp expertised.
Philately
Philately is the study of stamps and postal history and other related items. Philately involves more than just stamp collecting, which does not necessarily involve the study of stamps. It is possible to be a philatelist without owning any stamps...
a regummed stamp is an unused stamp without gum, or without full gum, that has had new gum applied to the back to increase its value.
Unused stamps with full original gum (OG) on the back are worth more than stamps without gum, or stamps without complete gum, for instance those that have been mounted using a stamp hinge
Stamp hinge
In philately stamp hinges or mounts are small, folded, transparent, rectangular pieces of paper coated with a mild gum. They are used by stamp collectors to affix postage stamps onto the pages of a stamp album.- Use :...
.
Until the 1970s it was common for stamps to be mounted using hinges and there was little difference in value between unmounted and previously hinged stamps. Since then a significant price difference has developed between the two types of stamps and unscrupulous stamp collectors and dealers have been tempted to regum previously mounted stamps to make them appear as if they have full original gum.
Regumming may take place just to remove traces of mounting or to disguise more serious faults or repairs, in which case the whole stamp may be given new gum. Regumming to hide repaired faults is not new but regumming to remove traces of mounting is a relatively recent development.
Detecting regummed stamps
Such alterations are often easily detected with the naked eye due to differences in colour or texture between the old and new gum. In addition, a stamp where all or a large part of the gum is fresh may sometimes be detected by placing it in the palm of the hand where warmth will cause the stamp to curl in a different direction to the same stamp with the original gum.Another test is to use a magnifying glass to see if gum has gathered at the edges of the stamp near the perforations. This will not occur with an original gum stamp as the normal method of stamp production is to perforate the stamp after the paper is gummed and printed. This means the gum is evenly distributed on the back of the stamp before perforating.
If none of the normal tests is definitive then collectors will often obtain an opinion from an expert as to the status of the stamp. This is known as having the stamp expertised.