Partial Perforations?

I have posted these questions on another forum and figured it couldn't hurt to post them here too.

Here are a couple of questions I have for all you 1st issue and second issue U.S. Revenue stamp expert collectors out there. What constitutes a partial perforation? Is it a single straight edge or is it generally accepted as having two straight edges? If it is the later? Then why isn't the distinction made for a horizontal partial perforation or a vertical partial perforation? I have found that I have seen far fewer of the later. I only ask these questions after I had them posed to me and I didn't have a solid answer. Because I don't know.

I have done some research and have come up with a last catalog listing for the variety in the 2025 Scott U.S. Specialized and it is R81b. Now quite honestly I really don't place any faith in that as the last known possible issue with a partial perforation. Because from what I have seen as acceptable partial perforations could in-fact had been cut with scissors or folded and torn apart because I have some that look like it. But what I am saying is only speculation because many of the stamps I am referring to are over 170 years old and I rescued many from going into the trash can years ago.

I have also discovered that partial perforated revenue stamps command much more in value. So what says you experts out there?

Jeremy

Part perf stamps look like coils, except that the edges were trimmed in whatever manner was available at the time. In the catalog, part perfs that come both directions have an asterisk next to the value.

Revcollector,

Thank you for the response. I did re-read the page in the catalog that you referred me to and as sure as the sun is shining your analysis is spot on.

I read even more of the page that discusses topic of partial perforated stamps in further depth and will re-read it again several more times. As I am really a novice when it comes to revenue stamps and have pretty close to a 1000 of them that I need to ID that consist of the general revenue, private die and proprietary along with state revenue's.

Thank you again.

Jeremy

The part perfs are the most difficult to be sure of. A lot of fakes made from trimmed perforated stamps out there. Also occasionally imperfs with fake perforations. The paper, shade, impression, and date of use are all important in deciding whether they are genuine.

Thank you for sharing that tip also. I'll keep all of that in mind when identifying what I have. I have a new rabbit hole to dive into.

Jeremy

Jeremy,

Those of us in the revenue field have always called these part perfs. The reason is that the perfs were applied in one direction. Before Butler & Carpenter were able to apply them in the other direction, Internal Revenue asked us to supply all that they had printed because the stamps were to be used on the kind of document that was on the stamps. For example, Bank Check were to be used on checks payable at sight. So that is what Butler & Carpenter did; they sent all the perforated. imperforate, and part perforated stamps. Following December 1862 the requirement that the stamps be used only on the proper document was rescinded.

Except for Proprietary and Playing Cards stamps; those still had to be used only on proprietary articles. All other label types could be used indiscriminately to pay any applicable tax.

Revenuemd,

That is really interesting and an explanation that is very easy to understand. It covers the 5 W's handily. Thank you for sharing. I just learned a lot from that paragraph.

I have expanded my interest into the revenues for a couple of reasons. The first is. I am at the point with my regular issues, commemoratives and general back of the book material that the stamps that I am missing from those collections are pretty much made from unobtanium and often require 10 C notes or more. Besides I find that as of lately revenues are a heck of lot more interesting. The second reason is there are many more opportunities to find EFO's that are far more affordable. The third reason is. Since I primarily buy large lots mostly box lots as a general rule. There is usually lots of BOB material that gets overlooked.

The only down fall if there really is one I need up with lots of philatelic material that I have in the past have had a really hard time even giving away.

Jeremy