Count the number of perforations between the right and left frame line. A perf 11 stamp will have 11 holes and 10 tips or 11 tips and 10 complete holes between the lines. The stamp looks to me like a perf 11 J65b, the deep claret shade. Also, the stamp will be unwatermarked. I have a perforation gauge somewhere, but I rarely use one. A stamp with a known gauge is almost always better when checking United States stamps. Determining and gauging perforations accurately requires a Kiusalas US Specialty gauge or a Multi Gauge that includes the Kiusalas gauge, from Stanley Piller.
Your picture of it on the gauge at 11 looks correct.
Clark mentioned a very useful way of measuring perforations. However that only applies to stamps that have the same design size (the colored portion). He mentions that the best way (and fastest) is to compare one stamp to a known one. You now know that your J65b is perf 11 all the way around and can use it to determine the perforations on others. This works for all design sizes. You're a beginner and like me, we don't have an extensive memory of which stamps have the same design size yet.
Most stamps that you encounter will be 10, 11, 12, or 11 x 10.5. Use your gauge to find examples of each, then set them aside to use as a tool to compare new stamps to. You can always use your gauge if you prefer it.
Finding a watermark takes a bit of effort and some supplies. Give me a few minutes and I'll find some information for you.
jkelley, welcome aboard! Feel free to ask any questions that you may have here in this thread.
P.S. Oliver, cfrphoto/Clark is a well know expert and expertiser. It never hurts to thank everyone who contributes information. You don't have to, but I think it helps keep a pleasant atmosphere.
Clark, thank you for your expertise. I couldn't have identified the color correctly.
As for what fluid to use to detect watermarks, most people here use Ronsonol lighter fluid. It's available in many places in the U.S. like grocery stores, some convenience stores, and most places that sell tobacco. It is a type of naptha (distilled petroleum spirits) that won't hurt your stamps. It's usually found in a tall yellow plastic bottle for around $3.
I don't have a watermark tray. They are not expensive, but you don't have to use one. A black piece of glass works well. You can also use a normal piece of glass and put a black piece of paper underneath it or paint the underside black. Black glass or a watermark tray works the best.
Sometimes you can hold the stamp up to a bright light or the Sun and see them.
There is another method using a scanner and photo editing software that works but it is difficult to use at first.
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Posted 10/21/2014 6:48 pm
