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
