Perforation Strengthening In Plate Blocks

Latest CherryStone auction lot description says
"1893 6c purple, bottom margin Plate No. and imprint block of eight, n.h. and post office fresh, perf. strengthening along the horizontal perforations, still fine and affordable plate block, cat. $3250 (Cat No. 235) "

When they say "Perforation Strengthening", any idea what they mean.

Is it just a fancy word like 'Regummed - expertly restored to full gum"

When I've seen attempts to strengthen perfs of blocks it has been little tiny pieces of hinges stuck in place to prevent separation, but since this says NH I guess it is something else. It's not a very satisfactory description.

It might be anything from a touch of library paste to a homemade type of glue depending on who did it. Since they say NH, I assume that the work was done to the selvage outside the gum area. But that should have been made more clearly.

Googling on the term shows it to be something that they have used frequently before. If you really want to know before bidding, I would suggest asking them what it means.

The perfs are backed, usually in places and not overall, with tiny strips or pieces of hinges or gummed glassine material. The paper has become rather dry and the perfs have begun to separate in a spot or spots. It's also called "sensible perf reinforcement", which it is, I suppose. You should be able to see this in the photo/scan of the plate block.

Some collectors and probably most dealers won't consider this NH, but will consider how many truly NH stamps are in the block in basing their valuation.

Sometimes the reinforcement was done by applying glue along the split. It's generally pretty obvious and ugly.

Ebustad seems to have the best idea - ask the folks who have it up for sale. Ask them for a scan of the back.


Peter

Getting a scan is always a good idea. How ugly it looks depends on the skill of the person doing it, there are some very good people out there. Whether it is NH or not probably depends on one's definition (and sometimes whether one's own money is involved). Some dealers will not know or care, and some will make a point of telling, just like in every area of philately.

For Interest:
Collodion Stains
Stains in the paper caused by collodion (a chemical substance), which is used to rejoin perforations in multiples. It may be found on single stamps. Shows in fluid as opaque white.

I didn't have an intent to bid on it and that's why didn't ask them.

Checking at the enlarged image again, it looks like the root cause of the stains in the front-center.

The perf holes between the stamps from just left of center across to the right are also squeezed from when they were "strengthened".

What's happened to the paper from the plate number and up? Looks wrinkled. Is that caused by the gum?

Robert

Robert, I believe that over time the gum arabic gains and loses moisture from the atmosphere, eventually causing it to contract. This either wrinkles the paper, or causes it to curl in cases where it is stored loosely. I am not a gum expert...just following logic.

Collodion has been used to strengthen perforations but may discolor over time.

Not sure that NH means much, at least value wise, when the PB is in this condition. Poor guy was born without much going for him and time hasn't been kind.

Since they are opening it at about 15% of NH value and it is not worth much more, it will be interesting to see if it sells.

The blind perfs and the range of perf hole sizes and orientation make it interesting for study. Still, 15% of the hinged price might be more like it.