3 Different Perforation Varieties Of Au $1 Fun Run? Please Verify

I would like to post an observation of the Australia SG1192 (Scott 1118, Michel 1186) Fun Run stamp of the 1989/94 Sports series.

First of all, both Michel (2012/13) and Scott (2008) mention 2 varieties. Both list the more expensive, rarer variety with a perforation of 13 1/4 X 13 3/4. I have 6 copies of this variety and I have 2 different perforation gauges from 2 different countries. Both indicate a perforation of 13 1/4 X 13 1/2 for this variety. Not a huge difference, but considering both catalogues are off by a quarter, I found this an interesting discrepancy in itself.

Nevertheless, both catalogues list a second, cheaper variety, which Michel lists with a perforation of 14 X 14 1/4. I believe this to be correct (based on my measurements with my 2 gauges) for SOME of the stamps I have here. As a sidenote, Scott (2008) lists this perforation variety as 14 X 14 1/2, which appears to be a mistake.

However, based on gauging 58 copies of this stamp, I have found that there seem to be not two but THREE DISTINCT VARIETIES of this stamp, with a third variety having a perforation of 13 3/4 X 14 1/4. Of the 52 copies of this stamp that do not match the perforation of the first, more expensive category, only 15 seem to have the perforation listed in Michel as the one for the cheaper category. The other 37 copies have a distinctly different perforation. No doubt in my mind. The difference is only a quarter (on the long sides of the stamp, meaning on the "top" and the "bottom"), but significantly different from the 15 others that have exactly 14 holes per 2cm on the long side.

Can anyone with a sufficient number of copies of this stamp and their own gauge (preferably more than 1 different ones) verify this? So again my 3 measurements were:

13 1/4 X 13 1/2

14 X 14 1/4

13 3/4 X 14 1/4

I am looking forward to your observations, this should be interesting!

Well done ! your first post, and you have included Catalogue numbers
A great start !


Only 2 listed in my data base.
1991
Sports series ll $1 Fun Run
Original 14 x 14.4
Variation : 13.3 x 13.6 (Note : Koala reprint)





I don't think so, Scott levels up at half perforations if I recall, check your catalogue preamble on guaging.

Outstanding first post and hopefully the beginning of many more!

The stamps are comb perforated
Merely count the teeth on each respective stamp.

There cannot be a small variance in guaging, other than paper distortion, heat, soaking, drying etc.

If a new comb perforation die was introduced, it would be well documented, I'd suggest.

I'm not sure counting teeth will work. They seem to have the same number in the bottom pair if the first image.The middle stamp, however, looks just a bit wider which in this circumstance will decrease the perf.

..and I am dashed sure it will !
Forget the images, one stamp will have 20 teeth the other 21.

A modern comb perforator has a set configuration,
steel pins in 3 inch block of steel.
There isn't going to be any movement there.

Guaging then becomes easy, use a known stamp, (pref mint)and join up the teeth.Similar to identifying Aust Sc#415a ($110)
No perf guage needed.

Example:
Note using "used" stamps, carries with it errors caused by unknown husbandry, size, condition and colour.

Here are my Koala Counts, (Mint unhinged)

1 Koala =20 teeth
2,3,4 Koalas = 21 teeth