self-adhesive stamp
{{short description|Self-adhesive postage stamp}}
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File:Stamp Germany 2005 - 450 Jahre Augsburger Religionsfrieden.jpg. (450 years after "Augsburger Religionsfrieden")]]
A self-adhesive stamp is a postage stamp with a pressure-sensitive adhesive that does not require moistening in order to adhere to paper. They are usually issued on a removable backing paper.
Stamp collectors have criticized the format, because the rubber-based adhesive used tends to yellow the stamps progressively. It makes stamps difficult to remove from covers, and to save in mint condition, though self-adhesives of recent years have improved in these respects.
Artistamps have also been issued in a self-adhesive format.{{cn|date=March 2020}}
First adhesive stamps
They were first issued by governments in tropical climates such as Sierra Leone in February 1964{{cite web |title=Self-Adhesive Stamps |work=Preservation and Care of Philatelic Materials |publisher=American Philatelic Society |url=http://www.stamps.org/CARE/subp2.htm |accessdate =2008-07-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051226084000/https://stamps.org/CARE/subp2.htm|archive-date=26 December 2005}} and Tonga in April 1969 in an attempt to avoid the tendency of traditional water-activated stamps to stick together in humid conditions.{{cite web | last = Supinger | first = Rachel | title = Self-adhesive stamp revolution sweeps world | work = Refresher Course | publisher = Linn's Stamp News | url = https://www.linns.com/news/postal-updates-page/stamp-collecting-basics/2002/february/self-adhesive-stamp-revolution-sweeps-world-.html | accessdate = 2020-03-11 }} They also made die cutting into fanciful and unique shapes easier.
In the UK
The Royal Mail first issued self-adhesive stamps on 19 October 1993, with the introduction of booklets of 20 first class Machin stamps printed by Walsall Security Printers by offset lithography;{{cite web |title=Self Adhesive Definitive |publisher=Collect GB Stamps |date=2022 |url=https://www.collectgbstamps.co.uk/explore/issues/?issue=22541 |access-date=15 May 2023 }} later a second class stamp was introduced. In the years following, other issues were produced in the self-adhesive format.{{cite news |last=Redmond |first=Bill |title=Royal Mail unveils self-adhesive stamp |work=UK News |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |date=19 November 2000 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1374836/Royal-Mail-unveils-self-adhesive-stamp.html |access-date=15 May 2023 }}
Die-cutting tools for the UK self-adhesive stamps were manufactured by Arden Dies of Stockport, Cheshire, using tools designed by Robert Clapham.{{cn|date=January 2017}}
In the US
File:Christmas 10c 1974 issue U.S. stamp.jpg
The United States Postal Service's first foray into self-adhesive stamps was in 1974 with the 10-cent dove weathervane, produced by Avery Dennison,{{cite web |url= http://www.averydennison.com/avy/en_us/Newsroom/Press-Kit/Fact-Sheet-_-Corporate |title=Avery Dennison Corporation |publisher=Avery Dennison |year=2011 |accessdate=2011-10-16}} that soon became discolored due to the instability of the adhesive. However, Avery Dennison continued adhesive technology research with pioneering work by M. Shams Tabrez, a chemist.{{cite web |url= http://www.averydennison.com/avy/en_us/Newsroom/Press-Kit/Fact-Sheet-_-Corporate |title=Avery Dennison Corporation |publisher=Avery Dennison |year=1989 |accessdate=2018-12-11}} It was in 1989 that another such self adhesive stamp was issued by the USPS. Outside of the philatelic community, the stamps have been welcomed as more convenient; by 2002, virtually all new USPS stamps were issued as self-adhesives.
More recent USPS self-adhesive stamps are not readily removable from the envelope or cover backing by traditional water soaking. Some collectors of used stamps have discovered that although not readily removable by water, the self-adhesives can be removed with Bestine (a heptane solvent), benzine (petroleum ether), or a natural based citrus solvent containing d-limonene (e.g., Pure Citrus Orange is an air freshener product that works for this purpose).{{cite web |last1=Butler |first1=Peter |title=It's Like Magic: Removing Self-Adhesive Stamps from Paper |url=https://classic.stamps.org/userfiles/file/HowTos/RemovingSelfAdhesives-Part1.pdf |publisher=American Philatelic Society |accessdate=15 June 2020}}
See also
{{commonscat-inline|Self-adhesive stamps}}