Dialysis, damned if you do...dead if you don't 14 Aug 2018 04:34:23am
re: TO UN FRAME OR LEAVE IN FRAME
I hate to disagree with my friend ikey, but I would unframe them unless you know for sure that they were framed with the proper anti-UV glass (which is costly and is called ‘conservation glass’ or ‘museum glass’).
Hanging them without anti-UV glass, even out of direct sunlight, will cause them to fade over time. Rare stamps should never be framed even with anti-UV glass since even the best quality glass can only reflect 99% of the UV rays.
Unless the stamps are rare and valuable on their own, I'd keep it in the frame as presented. The unit is unique as a whole, but stamps are just stamps.
Even if of no monetary value as collectible stamps they are a little piece of local history. If you don't want them, I am sure the local museum would. How many of them will still be around in 20 years time - after everyone else has used them for postage !
"Hanging them without anti-UV glass, even out of direct sunlight, will cause them to fade over time."
I once read in a paper-conservator journal that any coloured ink will eventually fade, even if it's kept in absolute darkness in a humidity- and temperature-controlled environment. Fortunately, we don't live long enough to see our stamps into uselessness as long as we are reasonably careful to store them under reasonable conditions. Living in a moderate climate certainly helps.