Modern Day Perfins

Are perfins still commonly used today on U.S. Postage?

I had thought that was an obsolete method of company identification/security for stamps, until I came across a Marilyn Monroe stamp that was perfined by the local utility company.



I'm not exactly sure why a utility company would use postage versus a meter, but it was an invitation piece to an event (so maybe they just wanted it to look more personalized by using a stamp).

My question simply is: "How common are perfins on modern-day stamps?"

That is pretty cool.

In the USA, I would think that they are near obsolete. Especially since most places do not use postage stamps any longer at all and use meter mail strips or computer generated postage as you mentioned in your post. Due to the special event contents, it was a good idea to use a stamp, they say more mail with a stamp is opened than mail without a stamp- a good personal touch definitely.

Thanks for the comment. Unfortunately, you will note the heavy perfins damaged the bottom perforations of the actual stamp. Nevertheless, it is a conversation piece, as I haven't seen any perfins on stamps in many years and fewer still on commemorative issues.

Methinks a philatelist lurks about in the darkened hallways of the utility company.

There is a regulation on how large a perfin can be...this one looks kind of big, but I suppose the reg is open to some interpretation?

I spent a little time trying to figure out how to inexpensively create a perforator for light duty use at the office, and I didn't have much luck online. I'm still thinking through a few possible solutions. If anyone has come up with one, please fill us in.

What utility ? Boston Electric Co?
for my records.
The Perth philatelic Society still perforates their stamps
on dedicated postcards.

Utility company is (was) Boston Edison Company.

As of 1999 (I believe that's the date) they became known as NStar, here in the northeastern part of the U.S.

Thanks for responding.

Although probably not rare, I would think that a perfin on a one of the Famous American series is not really common either. Does anyone else have a pefin'ed Famous American?







(P.S. - if you absolutely must write on a stamp, please do not use pen!! )

I was shocked to see a perfined stamp past the 1970's but that one is postal history to me because it shows some company was still using stamps and took the time to actually perfin it. That is just a cool use of perfins.