Stamps Perforations

Perforated stamps are provided with means of separation through the little holes around them as you see almost every day on the ordinary postage stamps. There are different sizes of perforations. These are usually measured by the Perforation Gauge according to the number within its width of two centimeters of space. Just run the edge of your stamp along the gauge until the dots fit exactly into the perforations. You will then find the correct figure printed at that point on the gauge.

 

The Perforation Gauge

A measure for ascertaining the number of perforations of a stamp within two centimeters of space.

Clean Cut Perforations (Common Perforations)

Whereby the holes or perforations of a stamp are cleanly cut through with no remnants of paper remaining. This is present in the regular U.S. stamps in which modern perforation machinery has been utilized.

Double Perforations

If the perforation machine by accident makes two impressions slightly apart the result is a double perforation. This may also be caused by a perforation machine going over a sheet twice for a correctionary purpose and which may result in two close rows of perforations.

Freak Perforations

Caused by a corner or part of a sheet being accidentally folded over so that the perforating machine impresses a diagonal, odd or incorrect perforation. If noticed, sheets containing such freak perforations are usually removed as waste paper by the government printing staff.

Part Perforated Stamps

These stamps are perforated on the top and bottom or on the sides. The other sides are imperforated. This feature is also characteristic of coil stamps.

Compound Perforations

This refers to stamps on which the horizontal perforations are different from those on the sides. Such compound perforations are usually mentioned in the standard catalogs or in the more advanced albums as for instance 11 x 101/2. It is usually understood that the first figure refers to the horizontal and the latter figure to the vertical measurement.

Perforations Processes

The principal modern methods for perforating stamps are by means of the comb perforation machine, guillotine perforating machine, the Harrow perforation machine and a device for rotary perforations.

The Comb Perforator

A means of punching the top and all vertical perforation holes of one or more rows of stamps at a time. This is continued until all rows are punched. The top row punched will automatically provide the bottom row for the preceding row. A last extra punch will be required to put the bottom holes on the last row with the vertical perforations going through the lower margin of the sheet down to the bottom. The more modern comb machine perforates two roes at a stroke and is referred to ask as a double comb perforator; the triple perforator impresses three rows at a time.

The Guillotine Perforator

A perforation machine which makes only single line perforations. To distinguish line perforations from comb perforations a collector must look at the corners of stamps. In a comb perforation each hole is separated from each other whereas in line perforations the holes may go over each other where the horizontal and vertical lines of perforations cross each other.

The Harrow Perforator

Perforates at one time an entire sheet or pane of stamps.

Rotary Stamp Perforator

A process of making perforations in sheets or rolls by revolving wheels. This is operated first in one direction and then in the other direction.

Interrupted Perforations

Also know as syncopated perforations. Caused by some of the punches of the Comb perforator being missing the corresponding holes. The removal of some of the perforating blades of the comb may also be deliberate in order to overcome weakness of a paper which would if completely perforated.

Misplaced Perforations

Where the perforations holes pass through the wrong part of a stamp.

Pin or Sewing Machine Perforations

Also known as perce en points. These are in reality roulettes as the paper is only pierced and not removed. See roulettes

Square Perforations

Small square holes usually close together as distinguished from the round shaped kind.

Vending and Mailing Machine Perforations

Also known as private perforations. Not official but made private from imperforate sheets or roll for use in vending and office mailing machines.

Electric Eye

An electric device used to guide the perforating machine in making correct margins. A series of colored dashes in the margins aids the device in its operation.

Hyphen Hole Perforations

Of long rectangular shape similar to the hyphen mark. For example see U.S. Revenue Issue