No, we are not taking our ease in the dentist's chair. Rather, we are examining the holes (perforations) that separate postage stamps from one another in an intact pane in order to expedite the detachment of individual stamps from the pane.

 Technically, perforations are but one method of facilitating stamp separation. They involve removing bits of paper at the margins of stamps so they can be readily torn apart. Other methods not involving the actual removal of paper are also common (rouletting, die cutting, etc.). For our purposes, I shall employ the rubric of "perforation" to encompass all the devices used to facilitate separation of stamps from one another. I'll bet you didn't realize what a large topic this is.

 You may well ask, can there possibly be a less significant subject than this? To the philatelist these perforations are significant indeed. The number of such holes along a 2-centimeter distance on a stamp's edge is often an identifying characteristic. The perforation may dramatically influence the value of a stamp. Thus, if you are the proud owner of an unused US 50 cent stamp issued between 1916 and 1919 it might be worth $1500 if it measures 10 holes/2cm (called perf.10) or $110 if it is perf.11. Otherwise, the stamp design is the same and the colors similar.

 Holes do make a difference! So how can one tell which is which? You could take a ruler marked in metric units, align it with the stamp and simply count the number of holes over a 2-centimeter distance. After examining a dozen or so stamps this way, you would be ready for the "ga-ga" unit of your local asylum.

 There are many devices for accurately measuring perfs. The simpler ones allow you to slide your stamp along a perforation gauge until the perfs. align with the markings on the gauge. Such gauges can be purchased for under $10. and should last for decades. However my personal preference is a German-made electronic perforation gauge.

 It requires no mental input on my part beyond properly placing the stamp in the machine. A digital read-out tells me within seconds what the perforation is. Neat, accurate, and not tiring or mentally taxing but significantly more expensive than the manual gauges

 Ah, but philatelic life is not quite so simple. In 1932, the United States issued a series of 12 stamps for the George Washington bicentennial. These showed various portraits of Washington. The horizontal perforation gauge differed from the vertical resulting in a perf. 11 x 10-1/2 configuration. This compound perforation means that, for certain stamp issues, one must measure two sides of the stamp. In practice, the horizontal dimension is given first and then the vertical.

 Well, you say, that's not too difficult. To keep your interest heightened, some countries have produced stamps with perforations differing on three or even all four sides. New Zealand and some Australian states are notable in this regard. These stamps are described giving the top measurement first and then proceeding clockwise for the rest. Wait! Don't feel smug yet. Some stamps have one perf. gauge part of the way along one dimension and a different gauge for the rest of the way! We refer to stamp catalogues to help us know which stamp issues are so afflicted.

 Ready to give up because of these complexities? Don't. The difficult perforation combinations are restricted to a relatively few issues. We are not required to worry about such things. We can enjoy the immense pleasures of stamp collecting without going in to such detail. Only those of us who are fascinated by such things need be involved with the intricacies of perforation measurements. However, we are more or less compelled to do so if evaluating our stamp collections accurately becomes necessary.

 Want more perforation profundities? Next time we shall examine such delights as syncopated perfs., gambling with roulettes, perce en points, rough perfs., microperfs., and the world of die-cutting. As space permits, we shall comb through what we know about how these holes are made. Perhaps we can also briefly examine the history of making holes to separate stamps and why compound perforations came into being. Hopefully we shall come to better realize that understanding such holes is a deeper subject than it appears from the surface.

 To inquire about our offerings, or other stamps you might be seeking, or other philatelic issues, please contact us.