What we collect!

 

Stamporama Discussion Board Logo
For People Who Love To Talk About Stamps
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Stamporama Discussion Board Logo
For People Who Love To Talk About Stamps
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Stamporama Discussion Board Logo
For People Who Love To Talk About Stamps



What we collect!
What we collect!


General Philatelic/Gen. Discussion : Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

 

Author
Postings
Kiwi
Members Picture


The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. Mahatma Gandhi.

25 Jul 2013
01:06:29pm
Image Not FoundImage Not Found
Hi to all!
OK, if I take the 2 examples I've got above, one stamp block is perforated and the other imperforated.Now, why do you have imperforate stamp sheets? My lack of knowledge on stamps (and I hope it will change)make me think that the imperf one were not finished by the post office (or where ever it is produced)? I know it is a stupid question in a way.
Big Grin
Do imperf have also more value than perfs?
Thanks for your ever interesting answers,
Daniel.
Like
Login to Like
this post
amsd
Members Picture


Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

25 Jul 2013
01:19:40pm

Auctions
re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

Daniel, the imprints are collectively referred to as Farley's Follies. James Farley was a political adviser to FDR who was given the cabinet post of Postmaster General. He transformed US stamp issuing policies and stamp collecting. Not all his decisions were sound, including one in which he rewarded his patrons with imperf copies of issued perfed stamps. when some recipients sold these rarities and the general collecting community found out, they were outraged, and, to deal, he reissued them all. Here's more specifics, but I thought i'd include some background, too: http://www.1847usa.com/FarleysFollies.htm

(Modified by Moderator on 2013-07-25 16:58:34)

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link.php?PLJZJP
Kiwi
Members Picture


The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. Mahatma Gandhi.

25 Jul 2013
02:15:53pm
re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

Image Not FoundImage Not FoundImage Not FoundImage Not Found
Thanks for your interesting answer amsd! That's for the USA. However, It seems that other countries have also issued imperforated stamp sheets as you can see above: 2 same stamp sheets from the Islamic Republic of Iran. It's a religious dictatorship, so I suppose they sort of do what they want. The 2 others are from Colombia: but those one are older; and thus perhaps, perforation of stamps was not yet a rule.So other countries have also done the same thing.
I will have a look at the site you have just given me to learn more about it.Thanks a lot. Daniel.

Like
Login to Like
this post
cocollectibles

25 Jul 2013
03:20:18pm
re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

Here's an interesting Wiki article on this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postage_stamp_separation

Cheers,
Peter

(Modified by Moderator on 2013-07-25 17:00:20)

Like
Login to Like
this post

"TO ERR IS HUMAN; TO FORGIVE, CANINE."
snowy12
Members Picture


25 Jul 2013
09:37:52pm

Auctions
re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

Being a cynic I reckon so stamp issuing entities can make an extra buck.Big Grin
Image Not Found
Brian

Like
Login to Like
this post
DSCStamps
Members Picture


26 Jul 2013
01:27:17pm
re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

I agree with Snowy to a degree. Surely someone makes profit from imperforates, but my guess is they started with Printers Proofs and Printers Waste. Sheets that were printed for a purpose and deemed not up to standard for issuance, and hence, not run through the perforation process. Some one grabbed the sheets out of the trash bin or dumpster and offered them for sale and "BAM" a whole new venue of stamp collecting started. A lot like the color progression stamps that are on the market which were just part of the printing process and someone pulled sheets at each stage of the printing process to check the ink and print quality and then trashed the sheets only to have some one pull them from the dumpster, separate them and market them. Now they do it intentionally to raise revenue, and the same goes for imperforates. However, I am sure there are some examples where valid sheets just did not get perforated for one reason or another and got distributed through the post office with no one noticing. These would be the real collectables, but how do you know they were a real mistake?????

Like
Login to Like
this post
larsdog
Members Picture


APS #220693 ATA#57179

26 Jul 2013
05:34:44pm
re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

There are various reasons that perforated stamps were also issued imperforate. Just US issues, you have the following:

1. Early issues were imperforate. The issue of 1851-57 was issued imperforate, then the same plates were used to created perforated stamps (1857-60). New plates were also made with the same designs (slightly altered), plus 3 more designs added, for perforated stamps.

2. Imperforate sheets were provided to 3rd party coil perforators (e.g. Schermack) to create coil stamps all the way from the 1st Bureau through the 3rd Bureau (Washington/Franklin) and slightly beyond.

3. Farley's Follies as previously explained.

4. Perforation Errors (missing perfs) - usually rare.

5. No die-cut press sheets (starting with 2012 Baseball issue) created "imperf" versions of several self-adhesive stamps. There were also no die-cut versions of all the Looney Tunes booklets.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

www.larsdog.com/stamps
amsd
Members Picture


Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

26 Jul 2013
05:39:50pm

Auctions
re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

to expand on Lars' comments, although they may not require it,

1 was waiting for technology
2 were done to facilitate a particular type of dispersal and affixing
3 done as political favors
4 errors
5 pure profit motives

thanks Lars, I'd completely forgotten about the Shermacks and their cousins

David

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link.php?PLJZJP
bobstew617
Members Picture


27 Jul 2013
10:18:57am
re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

Imperforate varieties, to me, just make things more interesting for my collection.Angel

I have several THAILAND souvenir sheets that were issued perforate and imperforate, I like seeing them side by side (or page by page for the larger ones!)

That Australia sheet is curious, by the way, seems like an EFO to me. Some stamps perfed, some not?!Thinking

Like
Login to Like
this post
Kiwi
Members Picture


The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. Mahatma Gandhi.

27 Jul 2013
10:54:35am
re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

Snowy, a strange one it is! Half/half! Is this considered as an error?

Like
Login to Like
this post
jillcrow

28 Jul 2013
05:10:20am
re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

That was definitely not an error, but certainly a marketing ploy. In the Stamp Bulletin no. 284(July-Sept 2006) Australia Post said:
Red-back special edition miniature sheet pack. This exclusive Red-back miniature sheet, set in a semi-imperforate configuration, is only available in a special edition pack and will not be included in the 2006 Collection of Australian Stamps.
The Red-back, originally commissioned to be part of the Dangerous Australians stamp issue, was thought to be too realistic at stamp size. It was decided that it was ...NEVER TO BE RELEASED for general postage! The pack gives you the opportunity to obtain the original six stamps in their concept layout and configuration. The Red-back was replaced by the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake - another Dangerous Australian.

Like
Login to Like
this post
larsdog
Members Picture


APS #220693 ATA#57179

28 Jul 2013
11:59:33pm
re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

Red-back spider? I thought the funnel spider was supposed to be the bad boy of spiders Down Under. Am I mistaken?

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

www.larsdog.com/stamps
jillcrow

29 Jul 2013
02:30:33am
re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

The funnel-web and redback spiders are both dangerous to humans, but AP's designers and marketing would go for the distinctive red marking on the female redback as a more attractive stamp proposition.

Like
Login to Like
this post
        

 

Author/Postings

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. Mahatma Gandhi.
25 Jul 2013
01:06:29pm

Image Not FoundImage Not Found
Hi to all!
OK, if I take the 2 examples I've got above, one stamp block is perforated and the other imperforated.Now, why do you have imperforate stamp sheets? My lack of knowledge on stamps (and I hope it will change)make me think that the imperf one were not finished by the post office (or where ever it is produced)? I know it is a stupid question in a way.
Big Grin
Do imperf have also more value than perfs?
Thanks for your ever interesting answers,
Daniel.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
25 Jul 2013
01:19:40pm

Auctions

re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

Daniel, the imprints are collectively referred to as Farley's Follies. James Farley was a political adviser to FDR who was given the cabinet post of Postmaster General. He transformed US stamp issuing policies and stamp collecting. Not all his decisions were sound, including one in which he rewarded his patrons with imperf copies of issued perfed stamps. when some recipients sold these rarities and the general collecting community found out, they were outraged, and, to deal, he reissued them all. Here's more specifics, but I thought i'd include some background, too: http://www.1847usa.com/FarleysFollies.htm

(Modified by Moderator on 2013-07-25 16:58:34)

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link. ...

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. Mahatma Gandhi.
25 Jul 2013
02:15:53pm

re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

Image Not FoundImage Not FoundImage Not FoundImage Not Found
Thanks for your interesting answer amsd! That's for the USA. However, It seems that other countries have also issued imperforated stamp sheets as you can see above: 2 same stamp sheets from the Islamic Republic of Iran. It's a religious dictatorship, so I suppose they sort of do what they want. The 2 others are from Colombia: but those one are older; and thus perhaps, perforation of stamps was not yet a rule.So other countries have also done the same thing.
I will have a look at the site you have just given me to learn more about it.Thanks a lot. Daniel.

Like
Login to Like
this post
cocollectibles

25 Jul 2013
03:20:18pm

re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

Here's an interesting Wiki article on this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postage_stamp_separation

Cheers,
Peter

(Modified by Moderator on 2013-07-25 17:00:20)

Like
Login to Like
this post

"TO ERR IS HUMAN; TO FORGIVE, CANINE."
Members Picture
snowy12

25 Jul 2013
09:37:52pm

Auctions

re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

Being a cynic I reckon so stamp issuing entities can make an extra buck.Big Grin
Image Not Found
Brian

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
DSCStamps

26 Jul 2013
01:27:17pm

re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

I agree with Snowy to a degree. Surely someone makes profit from imperforates, but my guess is they started with Printers Proofs and Printers Waste. Sheets that were printed for a purpose and deemed not up to standard for issuance, and hence, not run through the perforation process. Some one grabbed the sheets out of the trash bin or dumpster and offered them for sale and "BAM" a whole new venue of stamp collecting started. A lot like the color progression stamps that are on the market which were just part of the printing process and someone pulled sheets at each stage of the printing process to check the ink and print quality and then trashed the sheets only to have some one pull them from the dumpster, separate them and market them. Now they do it intentionally to raise revenue, and the same goes for imperforates. However, I am sure there are some examples where valid sheets just did not get perforated for one reason or another and got distributed through the post office with no one noticing. These would be the real collectables, but how do you know they were a real mistake?????

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
larsdog

APS #220693 ATA#57179
26 Jul 2013
05:34:44pm

re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

There are various reasons that perforated stamps were also issued imperforate. Just US issues, you have the following:

1. Early issues were imperforate. The issue of 1851-57 was issued imperforate, then the same plates were used to created perforated stamps (1857-60). New plates were also made with the same designs (slightly altered), plus 3 more designs added, for perforated stamps.

2. Imperforate sheets were provided to 3rd party coil perforators (e.g. Schermack) to create coil stamps all the way from the 1st Bureau through the 3rd Bureau (Washington/Franklin) and slightly beyond.

3. Farley's Follies as previously explained.

4. Perforation Errors (missing perfs) - usually rare.

5. No die-cut press sheets (starting with 2012 Baseball issue) created "imperf" versions of several self-adhesive stamps. There were also no die-cut versions of all the Looney Tunes booklets.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

www.larsdog.com/stam ...
Members Picture
amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
26 Jul 2013
05:39:50pm

Auctions

re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

to expand on Lars' comments, although they may not require it,

1 was waiting for technology
2 were done to facilitate a particular type of dispersal and affixing
3 done as political favors
4 errors
5 pure profit motives

thanks Lars, I'd completely forgotten about the Shermacks and their cousins

David

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link. ...
Members Picture
bobstew617

27 Jul 2013
10:18:57am

re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

Imperforate varieties, to me, just make things more interesting for my collection.Angel

I have several THAILAND souvenir sheets that were issued perforate and imperforate, I like seeing them side by side (or page by page for the larger ones!)

That Australia sheet is curious, by the way, seems like an EFO to me. Some stamps perfed, some not?!Thinking

Like
Login to Like
this post

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. Mahatma Gandhi.
27 Jul 2013
10:54:35am

re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

Snowy, a strange one it is! Half/half! Is this considered as an error?

Like
Login to Like
this post
jillcrow

28 Jul 2013
05:10:20am

re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

That was definitely not an error, but certainly a marketing ploy. In the Stamp Bulletin no. 284(July-Sept 2006) Australia Post said:
Red-back special edition miniature sheet pack. This exclusive Red-back miniature sheet, set in a semi-imperforate configuration, is only available in a special edition pack and will not be included in the 2006 Collection of Australian Stamps.
The Red-back, originally commissioned to be part of the Dangerous Australians stamp issue, was thought to be too realistic at stamp size. It was decided that it was ...NEVER TO BE RELEASED for general postage! The pack gives you the opportunity to obtain the original six stamps in their concept layout and configuration. The Red-back was replaced by the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake - another Dangerous Australian.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
larsdog

APS #220693 ATA#57179
28 Jul 2013
11:59:33pm

re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

Red-back spider? I thought the funnel spider was supposed to be the bad boy of spiders Down Under. Am I mistaken?

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

www.larsdog.com/stam ...
jillcrow

29 Jul 2013
02:30:33am

re: Why are there perforate and imperforate stamps?

The funnel-web and redback spiders are both dangerous to humans, but AP's designers and marketing would go for the distinctive red marking on the female redback as a more attractive stamp proposition.

Like
Login to Like
this post
        

Contact Webmaster | Visitors Online | Unsubscribe Emails | Facebook


User Agreement

Copyright © 2024 Stamporama.com