Classic Stamps With 'Perfins'?

Kevin

Great! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

With experimentals I always like getting back to the patentee and working from there. Since perfins start in 1868 in Great Britain, it is most probable that any use by Americans in that early period was purely experimental. The choice of stamps are a bit unusual for any time after 1890, since the standard size for postage stamps had been reduced and remained that smaller size. Since we can't yet determine who would have done these or exactly why, their status is still an open question, but at least now we have a terminus post quem that is early enough to allow for legitimate testing in the period 1873-79. Perhaps Mr. Grabowski can shed a bit more light on the subject since the time he wrote the article mentioned.

I downloaded that pdf for future reference. Good show!

As Kevin's article points out, Perfins on the 1902 issue are not unusual. I have two in my collection, both with the same Perfin (though one pin is out of place):







King George of England was involved in the only numeral Perfin that I have, which just happens to be number 5 also, though with a slightly different die pattern, and inverted:



I'll have to keep looking. Fascinating stuff.

Back in the day when I still had a specialized collection of US#300 (1c Franklin, 1902) I had an unusual early perfin done as 6 letters in two rows: SYS/TEM. Learned a few things about perfins in those days, but did not stay with it.

Partime: Those 1902 definitives with perfins do not have a pin out of place. The "out of place" pin typically designates the location that used the perfin within a single company or organization. I believe the perfin shown is from General Electric, so they obviously had multiple locations that demanded the use of perfin stamps back in the day.

Very neat. I learn something every day on this forum. Thanks! And have a safe and Happy New Year's everyone ...

Partime:
The #1 pattern with control hole on 9th position is G72.29 General Electric Co, Lynn, MA. Period of usage 1912-1933. Rating "E" very common.
Pattern # 2 with control hole on 11th position is G72.36, General Electric Co., Pittsfield, MA
usuage 1902-14.Rating "D" Common.

FYI There are around 50 of the GE patterns, some find them a challenging pastime. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the additional info, PoStat4evR. I also found a Scott 340 with the same #1 pattern, in the 9th position, but reversed (printed from the opposite side). I'll have to look through more for GE patterns.

Wow! You weren't kidding about the variety. Just found two more in a quick search in early US.

Left stamp = control hole position 8 General Electric Co., Oakland, California usage 1902-40
Cat # G72.26. Rating "E"

Right stamp = Control hole position 2 General Electric Co., Pittsburg, PA usage 1902-1954
Cat # G72.7. Rating "E"

Thanks for the newest information on the GE Perfins. I think that tapped out my supply, so on to the next adventure.

@PoStat4evR

Did you find anything on those Continental BNCo stamps that hasn't come up in this thread already?

essayk

Not yet. From the data seen, the hole diameter seems bigger than the allowed size to PO lets them have. The age of the stamps also indicates it was likely done before the authorization time. The fact these were likely done with a single number perforator, kinda makes me think they were done to show the different test batches they were trying with the ink. I have a few emails out to a few folks, but nothing back yet.

I collect perfins, but had no idea on how extensive they are. right now I just add them to a separate book. no particular order..that will have to change. I tend to mount them with black backed mounts so the perfins show up well and one can still see the stamps design.