Preservation and Care of Philatelic Materials
Subsidiary Page
26
Watermark Detectors
Clarity is the recommended fluid and was developed at the request of the APS.
It has no solvency to affect adhesives, inks, dyes or taggants and leaves no
residue on stamps. Benzene
and
benzine
are
two
common
organic
solvents
used
by
collectors to help identify watermarks. This is an opportunity to warn collectors
never
to
use Benzene.
It is
extremely toxic. It penetrates the skin and its toxic fumes are injurious when
inhaled. Even in small quantities it is dangerous, causing cancer. Furthermore,
it is flammable.
Philatelists have no need to use it.
Benzine, a petroleum derivative, is also flammable. While care must be taken
not to inhale the fumes, it is not too hazardous. All the same, collectors would
be
well advised to avoid its use, particularly since much better methods of watermark
detection are available today. Another option, Heptane, is flammable and toxic.
A third
organic
solvent
used
by
philatelists
is
carbon tetrachloride. About the only good thing that can be said about this solvent
is that it is non-flammable. It is a carcinogen that is absorbed through the
skin
and by inhalation. It will cause severe liver damage to the user. Avoid its use.
There are a number of electronic watermark detectors on the market
but none work as well as Clatiry. The Morley-Bright Roll-A-Tector will
show the watermark of
a
stamp
on cover, without
having to remove the stamp. No fluids, batteries, or chemicals are needed.
END OF SUBSIDIARY PAGE 26
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