Scott 65A In Different Sizes

Here are a couple examples of Scott 65a in distinctly different sizes.

The Scott United States specialized catalog lists 65a in a number of colors, dull red, rose red, brown red, pale brown red, and dark brown red, but it makes no mention of any stamp size on any example of the many stamps illustrated as A25 in their catalog.

Here are two copies of 65a shown side by side; the difference is noticeable.



The stamp on the left measures approximately 22-1/2 X 25-1/2 millimeters. The stamp on the right measures approximately 21 X 28 millimeters.

Does anyone have any insight or information on this?

I believe this variation is due to the lack of strict quality control in applying the perforations. In the 1860s, there was a greater emphasis on speed rather than accuracy. So the spacing of the rows and columns of perforating pins was not exact and these examples were considered close enough for government work. The standards for the revenue stamps at this time were even less strict. Revenue stamps were released imperforate, part-perforated, fully perforated, and with extra perforations and crazy perforations. Also paper and other supplies were tight and just because the rows were a little off didn't mean you could throw away the whole sheet. Also the government offices were short-handed during the war and probably had to hire less experienced workers to get the job done.

Thanks for posting this Modern_who I came across the same thing last night on some older Canadian Stamps. Makes sense that things were not so precise back then.

Learning lots from you guys. Thanks again.

Dianne

Thank you, t360. that's an excellent explanation.

( Makes a whole-lotta sense, too! )