Can One Successfully Detach Self Adhesive Postage Stamps?

[ask100]

I have a collection of unfranked first and second class postage stamps which I know cannot be detached by soaking in water.
Does any member know how they can be taken off the backing without tearing?

[mallyh]

hold over a kettle and steam them off ?

[yogasun]

Have you tried steaming them off?

[Peter Pedant]

In the end you end up by pritting it ( glue in stick form )

I cut the envelope out and restick the whole lot. You can make interesting paper features ( photo frame - bunny rabbits and so on ) that you can discuss IN the letter ....

[Peter Pedant]

reuse whole envolope

you need sticky re-address labels.

Clearly I have time on my hands

[buildersmate]

For those with time on their hands, it is possible. As the OP says, using steam doesn't work any more. It removes the phosphor strip.
Royal Mail now include two oval shaped detachable pieces in the stamp, and care is necessary, I am told, to use a fine bladed knife to get under the edge of both the stamp and the oval pieces. Otherwise, I am told, they detach and are left on the envelope.
My source tells me it takes about one minute per stamp, which sounds like a healthy £30 per hour rate of remuneration for the effort.

[ask100]

Thanks for all your suggestions but steam doesn't work.
Just tried WD40 on the back of the back and have found that it works a treat.
It dissolves the glue after a few minutes. Still have to be careful with the oval cutouts, but I just did it successfully.

[buildersmate]

Don't I get the prize then? - not only for reminding others steam doesn't work, but also for oval cutouts issue.

[stuey]

Another use for WD-40. For those of you who haven't done so, Google "uses for wd40". It's amazing how many... Over 2000!

[bazwillrun]

just heat the stamp area to soften the adhesive and use a blade to prise off, easy and always works, no faffing around with WD40 or other stuff