Guide to Stamp Perforation

Perforation is one of the most important features used to identify and understand Victorian stamps. It affects how stamps were separated from the sheet, how different issues are catalogued, and how collectors assess condition, rarity and value.

What is perforation?

Perforation is the series of small holes punched between stamps so that they can be separated more easily. Before perforation was introduced, stamps were imperforate and had to be cut from the sheet with scissors.

On early line-engraved stamps, the difference between an imperforate and a perforated issue is often one of the first things a collector needs to establish.

Why were stamps perforated?

The original Penny Black and early Penny Red stamps were issued without perforations. This meant that each stamp had to be cut from the sheet by hand. In busy post offices this was slow and inconvenient, and careless cutting could easily damage the stamp.

Perforation made stamps:

• quicker to separate from the sheet;
• more convenient for postal clerks and customers;
• less likely to be badly cut by scissors;
• more uniform in appearance.

Henry Archer and the early trials

The development of perforation in Great Britain is closely associated with Henry Archer, who carried out important experiments in the early 1850s. His work eventually led to the practical adoption of perforated stamps.

Archer trial perforations are now highly collectable and can be very valuable. They should not be confused with ordinary issued perforated stamps.

How early perforation was applied

Early perforating machines punched rows of holes through the printed sheets. Alignment was not always perfect, and this is why early perforated stamps can show uneven or off-centre perforations.

On some stamps, the perforations cut very close to the printed design. On others, one side may have a wide margin while the opposite side is very narrow. This is common on many Victorian issues and reflects the practical difficulties of early stamp production.

How perforation is measured

Perforation is measured by the number of perforation holes or teeth within a distance of two centimetres. This measurement is known as the perforation gauge.

A higher perforation number means the holes are closer together and the teeth are smaller. A lower number means the holes are further apart and the teeth are larger.

Perf 16 and Perf 14 on line-engraved stamps

Great Britain line-engraved stamps can be found with different perforation gauges. For example, some early perforated Penny Reds are perforated 16, while later issues are usually perforated 14.

Using a perforation gauge

A perforation gauge is the standard tool used to measure stamp perforations. The stamp is placed against the printed scale until the teeth or holes match the guide exactly.

To measure perforation:

• place one edge of the stamp against the gauge;
• move the stamp until the perforation teeth line up exactly;
• check that the match continues along the whole edge;
• repeat the process on another side if necessary.

If the perforations do not line up properly across the full edge, the stamp may not be on the correct gauge position.

Common perforation faults and varieties

Misperforation

A misperforation occurs when the perforating pins were not correctly aligned with the printed sheet. This can result in perforations cutting into the design or leaving unusually large margins.

Blind perforations

Blind perforations are holes that were punched only partly through the paper, or not fully cleared. They may appear as indentations rather than open holes.

Short or missing teeth

Perforation teeth can be damaged when stamps are separated from the sheet. Missing teeth, short teeth and pulled perforations can reduce the condition and value of a stamp.

Double perforations

Double perforations occur when a sheet receives an additional or misplaced perforating strike. These are specialist varieties and should be assessed carefully.

Imperforate between

In some cases, the row of perforations between two stamps may be missing. Genuine examples are very collectable, but they require careful expert assessment.

Why some perforations look uneven

Early perforated stamps were produced using mechanical equipment that did not always give the perfectly regular appearance seen on many modern stamps. Paper shrinkage, sheet alignment, pin wear and handling can all affect the appearance of the perforations.

It is also possible for a stamp to appear to have one thicker or more pronounced perforation tooth. This can happen where the perforation holes are slightly misaligned, incompletely punched, or affected by the way the stamp was separated from the sheet.

Why perforation matters

Perforation is important because it can help identify the stamp, distinguish between catalogue numbers and assess condition. On some Victorian stamps, the perforation gauge is essential to correct identification.

Collectors use perforation to help determine:

• which issue the stamp belongs to;
• whether the stamp is perf 16, perf 14 or another gauge;
• whether the stamp has been damaged or reperforated;
• whether a possible variety is present;
• how the stamp should be valued.

Reperforation and caution

Reperforation is the alteration or addition of perforations after a stamp was originally produced. This may be done to improve the appearance of a damaged edge or to create the impression of a rarer stamp.

Valuable or unusual stamps should always be examined carefully. If a stamp appears to have suspiciously neat perforations, unusual spacing, or perforations inconsistent with the issue, expert opinion may be needed.

Summary

Perforation transformed the practical use of postage stamps and remains an important part of stamp collecting. For collectors of Great Britain line-engraved stamps, understanding perforation helps with identification, condition grading and recognising unusual varieties.

A good perforation gauge is a simple but essential tool for any collector working with Victorian stamps.