How Easy Is It To Steam Open An Envelope?

[wolf63]

I have two envelopes that I wish to open but they are still glued down. I don't want to damage the envelopes. I just want to see what the contents are.

One should contain the Constitution of the United States in 'genuine aged parchment paper' and the other should be 'Declaration of Independence'.

I normally would rip open the envelope but I feel like being cautious for once.

Thanks for any help that can be given.

[Buenchico]

Steaming envelopes open was a straightforward, if somewhat tedious, task in the days when gum arabic was used to seal them. (That's the stuff you moisten, usually by licking it, to make it sticky).

Modern envelopes are generally self-sealing though, using a latex-based adhesive. With those, it's usually simpler just to carefully peel it open. It should then be possible to reseal it simply by pressing the two surfaces back together again.

[wolf63]

these are licky lick envelopes. It looks like some touristy stuff that has been donated for us to sell.

We have sold a few good postcards lately. Two were £14.99 each and three bundles of paddle steamers at £8.99 each.

His lordship has stopped screaming at me so I think that I will go to bed. Night.

[Arksided]

Steaming open envelopes and trying to reseal them is obvious to everyone... that has received them second hand.

Come 'on get a grip and admit it.

[Old_Geezer]

It's not difficult but the steam makes the paper envelope prone to tearing so if you wanted to avoid that you'd need to be extra careful and prise as well as steam, rather than pull & tear it.

[Old_Geezer]

Or leave it for a couple of decades and it'd probably fall open by itself.

[TonyV]

Used to be easy with a steam kettle when you had to lick envopes to seal them, these days more difficult you could try a sharp knife or scalpel but it will show you have opened them.

[Atheist]

There used to be a technique involving a very thin stick split along its length. If there is a little space above the glue, the stick can be inserted so that it pinches the paper inside the envelope and then twirling the stick causes the paper to roll up around the stick so that it can be removed from the envelope without the need to unglue the flap. I believe our secret agents could do this. It always sounded unlikely to me.

[davebro]

Modern envelopes often have a couple of slits cut in the flap - makes them more difficult to steam/prise open.

[Barmaid]

Isn't anyone buying them going to want to see for themselves anyway?

[wolf63]

I have decided just to open the envelope. It has pretty writing on the front but I suppose that it is the contents that people will be interested in.

My mum could steam envelopes open with ease - she took her secrets to the grave.

[Mamyalynne]

Use a good sharp paper knife and it will still look tidy for the buyer.

[Tilly2]

You won't know what's in them unless you open it properly to check. Be a devil and use a paper knife.