envelope glue

[Annette Bethke]

I experimented with a recipe for envelope glue and it worked very well. I documented the process at http://txcwcivilian.blogspot.com/200...lue-works.html

[Diochra]

Re: envelope glue

Annette, be still my heart. I'm in need of such a thing. Thank you for sharing!

[AZReenactor]

Re: envelope glue

This is similar to a recipe I've been using with great success for envelopes and lick em stick em stamps.

It simply consists of one part vinegar to two parts white glue. I simply mix it up and use a little cheap foam brush to wipe it on the envelope or stamps. It is easy to mix and stores well.

Another trick I've used to perforate my stamps so that they tear easily is to print out a sheet and then run it through the sewing machine (without any thread).

The process of tearing off the stamps and affixing them to the envelope as well as licking and sealing the envelope is surprisingly satisfying after writing a good first person letter. Period stationary and patriotic covers are like icing on this living history activity that seems to be less and less a part of our modern world.

But then as a child I think I may have felt the same about eating paste... ;-)

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: envelope glue

I've used straight gum arabic for stamp glue. It brushes on easily, stays tacky, and will work as a weak glue when moistened later. It also can serve for mucilage in the office. The vinegar recipes definitely sound worth a try, though, and would cost less.

[Annette Bethke]

Re: envelope glue

I need to thank Steve Ingram for finding the recipe. I found that this glue works better than the gum arabic, simply easier. Perhaps I have the wrong arabic recipe but I always have to fiddle with the amount of gum; it never seems to be sticky enough.

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: envelope glue

I need to thank Steve Ingram for finding the recipe. I found that this glue works better than the gum arabic, simply easier. Perhaps I have the wrong arabic recipe but I always have to fiddle with the amount of gum; it never seems to be sticky enough.

I use a little jar of gum arabic in liquid form that I purchased at the local art supply shop. One of the vendors for stationery recommends adding it to Higgins Eternal to make the ink less runny. But I could never figure out how many drops to add. That's probably what led me to find other uses for it :)