It's a lovely stamp, especially for the price, but it is not a perf 12.
The standard perfs on this stamp are 11.5 and 11.75 (Unitrade #26iv), and this appears to be an 11.75 x 12
Roy
Wow ty! Hey thats still pretty good! Ty
Do you match peaks or valleys on the perf. gage when checking perf. count?
" .... Do you match peaks or valleys
on the perf. gage when checking perf.
count? ...."
For anything of value or potential value,
both.
But I feel that setting the "dots" in the
valleys is far more accurate. Trying to
exactly center perf tips to the center
of the dots is just not as accurate.
of curse with my eyes these days nothing
is all that accurate.
In my opinion, this is the only style of perf gauge worth using:
Roy
Roy, same one I have (when I can find it ). It works like a charm. My trouble is watermarks, especially US single line. I really don't have the patience any more!!
I'm a valleys guy definitely lol
This guage is from a stamp album printed in the 1930s (if memory serves) and I cut it out and put it in a paper currency protector. There's something cool about using actual old-timey stuff to handle my stamp collection, but in this case perhaps a more precise approach is called for =)
P.s. thx for every reply I'm learning a ton and really like this message board so far
".... There's something cool about using actual old-timey
stuff to handle my stamp collection, ...."
Yes, there is a thrill to many people when they handle an
old document, old stamps and especially reading letters
f regular people who are all long gone. It is sometimes
hard to imagine what life must have been like when a five
dollar a week paycheck was considered "doing quite well"
and postane for a first class latter was a penny or
tuppence. Before radios and TVs, autos and cross ocean
air flights or penicillin and open heart surgeries..
I agree with Charlie, I think that it is more accurate to match the valleys to the dots than
the peaks to the lines, this is the gage I use, I like it because it gives me 1/4 readings as well, sometimes 1/2 is not close enough.
What brand of gauge is this?
I'd like to put in a vote for Richard Doporto's US Specialty Precision gauge. I've been using one for maybe 10-15 years. About $16.
It lets you get really precise with fractional perfs, has see-through templates for rotary vs flat plate, etc., etc.
I do not collect US, and it's still extremely useful. (Including that rotary vs flat plate template, which occurs in some Japanese stamps as well.)
He sells it directly on eBay here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Precision-US-Specialty-Perforation-Multi-gauge-New-2016-Rev-5-2/262583354611?hash=item3d233004f3:g:UXgAAOSwGx1Zv4Pn
and here's a bit more about the history of it on his website. (And you can buy it there as well.)
http://www.slingshotvenus.com/stamps/USSpecialtyPerf5.html
Version 5.2 is the latest version.
(I have no financial interests in it.)
I want one of these comprehensive perf gauges, but $26.90 for shipping? Pass...
Are you looking at the same listing on eBay?
The US shipping is $0.75, and, checking for Canada, it's $2.25. (UK, also $2.25.)
That's much better news!
I went to his website, as I don’t do eBay!
Then I don't know what to tell you. I tried.
Other places carry them (like Mystic, I think). Perhaps you can check with a Canadian stamp supplies dealer and find something acceptable that way.
And, as far as I know, you can still purchase on eBay as a 'guest' and not set up an account. And you should be able to pay with the usual cards, without having to have a PayPal account.
Beyond that, I'm tapped out. No ideas.
Thanks, Philatarium. I’ll try that & see what they charge for postage.
I need an item like this, so I used the link and ordered it. The total price, including postage, was $17.50 USD. To me, I think that's very fair!
Same with me going to eBay it only cost $2.25 to mail it to Canada! That’s quite a difference from that website…
I also purchased one on Ebay. I noticed that he had 2 listings for the same item.
I have the specialty gauge but use the Linn's/Scott multi-gauge more. Most stamps are odd sizes like 10.8 or 11.3.
Al
I'll chime in
I seem to have better perf ID luck checking perf tips - MOST of the time.
These are the 3 I use - most frequently the Linn's Multi-gauge:
This 3rd one is what I take with me on trips and to shows -
it is flexible plastic, so durable;
it's a handy multi-tool with many features;
it's made like a slide rule, so compact in design;
it's also quite pocket-sized as it's only slightly longer than 6 inches.
I have no recall how or where I acquired it - it's been in my
possession for a long time
Second image shows the reverse of the insert; both pieces are made of the same material.
It's come in quite handy at times!
Just a quick note. I notice when individuals show a stamp and perf gauge together, they always show the stamp face up. That may be just to show the ID of the stamp, but I have found that when measuring perfs, it is best to turn the stamp over with gum side up to measure the perf. That way the color of the stamp does not interfere with the color of the gauge.
Excellent point, Mel.
I had thought of mentioning that earlier in the thread, but it slipped my mind.
Thanks for posting it!
Mel, Randy,
such a simple trick, and one I never thought of. thanks for suggesting it. anything to reduce the chatter is a benefit.
This was such a cool thread to see everyone's perf guage prefs. Thx for all the input and stuff... now we need to have a watermark thread lol
Is this what I think it is? If memory serves the perf 12 version of this stamp is really rare... anyways I just pulled this from a little 35$ stack of approx. 10 or 12 Canadian classics that I purchased sight unseen online from a non-collector. =)
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
It's a lovely stamp, especially for the price, but it is not a perf 12.
The standard perfs on this stamp are 11.5 and 11.75 (Unitrade #26iv), and this appears to be an 11.75 x 12
Roy
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
Wow ty! Hey thats still pretty good! Ty
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
Do you match peaks or valleys on the perf. gage when checking perf. count?
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
" .... Do you match peaks or valleys
on the perf. gage when checking perf.
count? ...."
For anything of value or potential value,
both.
But I feel that setting the "dots" in the
valleys is far more accurate. Trying to
exactly center perf tips to the center
of the dots is just not as accurate.
of curse with my eyes these days nothing
is all that accurate.
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
In my opinion, this is the only style of perf gauge worth using:
Roy
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
Roy, same one I have (when I can find it ). It works like a charm. My trouble is watermarks, especially US single line. I really don't have the patience any more!!
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
I'm a valleys guy definitely lol
This guage is from a stamp album printed in the 1930s (if memory serves) and I cut it out and put it in a paper currency protector. There's something cool about using actual old-timey stuff to handle my stamp collection, but in this case perhaps a more precise approach is called for =)
P.s. thx for every reply I'm learning a ton and really like this message board so far
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
".... There's something cool about using actual old-timey
stuff to handle my stamp collection, ...."
Yes, there is a thrill to many people when they handle an
old document, old stamps and especially reading letters
f regular people who are all long gone. It is sometimes
hard to imagine what life must have been like when a five
dollar a week paycheck was considered "doing quite well"
and postane for a first class latter was a penny or
tuppence. Before radios and TVs, autos and cross ocean
air flights or penicillin and open heart surgeries..
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
I agree with Charlie, I think that it is more accurate to match the valleys to the dots than
the peaks to the lines, this is the gage I use, I like it because it gives me 1/4 readings as well, sometimes 1/2 is not close enough.
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
What brand of gauge is this?
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
I'd like to put in a vote for Richard Doporto's US Specialty Precision gauge. I've been using one for maybe 10-15 years. About $16.
It lets you get really precise with fractional perfs, has see-through templates for rotary vs flat plate, etc., etc.
I do not collect US, and it's still extremely useful. (Including that rotary vs flat plate template, which occurs in some Japanese stamps as well.)
He sells it directly on eBay here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Precision-US-Specialty-Perforation-Multi-gauge-New-2016-Rev-5-2/262583354611?hash=item3d233004f3:g:UXgAAOSwGx1Zv4Pn
and here's a bit more about the history of it on his website. (And you can buy it there as well.)
http://www.slingshotvenus.com/stamps/USSpecialtyPerf5.html
Version 5.2 is the latest version.
(I have no financial interests in it.)
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
I want one of these comprehensive perf gauges, but $26.90 for shipping? Pass...
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
Are you looking at the same listing on eBay?
The US shipping is $0.75, and, checking for Canada, it's $2.25. (UK, also $2.25.)
That's much better news!
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
I went to his website, as I don’t do eBay!
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
Then I don't know what to tell you. I tried.
Other places carry them (like Mystic, I think). Perhaps you can check with a Canadian stamp supplies dealer and find something acceptable that way.
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
And, as far as I know, you can still purchase on eBay as a 'guest' and not set up an account. And you should be able to pay with the usual cards, without having to have a PayPal account.
Beyond that, I'm tapped out. No ideas.
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
Thanks, Philatarium. I’ll try that & see what they charge for postage.
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
I need an item like this, so I used the link and ordered it. The total price, including postage, was $17.50 USD. To me, I think that's very fair!
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
Same with me going to eBay it only cost $2.25 to mail it to Canada! That’s quite a difference from that website…
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
I also purchased one on Ebay. I noticed that he had 2 listings for the same item.
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
I have the specialty gauge but use the Linn's/Scott multi-gauge more. Most stamps are odd sizes like 10.8 or 11.3.
Al
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
I'll chime in
I seem to have better perf ID luck checking perf tips - MOST of the time.
These are the 3 I use - most frequently the Linn's Multi-gauge:
This 3rd one is what I take with me on trips and to shows -
it is flexible plastic, so durable;
it's a handy multi-tool with many features;
it's made like a slide rule, so compact in design;
it's also quite pocket-sized as it's only slightly longer than 6 inches.
I have no recall how or where I acquired it - it's been in my
possession for a long time
Second image shows the reverse of the insert; both pieces are made of the same material.
It's come in quite handy at times!
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
Just a quick note. I notice when individuals show a stamp and perf gauge together, they always show the stamp face up. That may be just to show the ID of the stamp, but I have found that when measuring perfs, it is best to turn the stamp over with gum side up to measure the perf. That way the color of the stamp does not interfere with the color of the gauge.
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
Excellent point, Mel.
I had thought of mentioning that earlier in the thread, but it slipped my mind.
Thanks for posting it!
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
Mel, Randy,
such a simple trick, and one I never thought of. thanks for suggesting it. anything to reduce the chatter is a benefit.
re: Just pulled this from a 35$ collection
This was such a cool thread to see everyone's perf guage prefs. Thx for all the input and stuff... now we need to have a watermark thread lol