Measuring Small Queens With US Perforation Gauge?

Maybe an elementary question, but is it innacurate to measure small queens with an american perforation gauge? any other issues that would require the instanta gauge? and is there anyway to calculate perforation (perhaps even with the US gauge) and convert it to results an instanta would give you? I feel silly for asking, but everyone here seems very nice, making me unafraid to ask perhaps even the silliest of questions! Thank you in advance!

Each gauge should give the same result, in theory. The gauges that are based on printed "dots" don't have the precision that some others can offer. (One of the old dealer promos that I have only has whole-number dots, with a very few half-numbers thrown in, right in the middle of the common range...maybe 12.5, 13.5 and 14.5?) They can tell you what the perf isn't, and give you a range, but unless it is spot on, or you are good at estimating, they can't tell you what is.


Many people prefer the Instanta because they feel it gives them precise results.

Well thank you very much! I was measuring my collection of small queens and came across an undeniable perfect match for 11 1/2 x 12, but on the US gauge. I read on rpsc.org one can only determine accurate perforation measurmment for these issues using the instanta. perhaps this is an opinion?! now im stumped as to what next steps to take for my beautiful queen with exceptional centering...wish I knew how to adjust my camera to take decent pictures. I'm working on it. Thank you again for your response!

Duh, what's a small queen, and what's an instanta?

Weak uninformed minds want to know.

butterfly, regarding the small queens, this site can say it faster and better than I can:

http://www.rpsc.org/Library/SmallQu...l_Queens.htm

Instanta is a brand name of a perf gauge from Stanley Gibbons. Not the cheapest out there, but popular. It is clear, so that you can overlay it on stamps in albums or on cover.

http://www.rpsc.org/Library/SmallQu...l_Queens.htm
They are my personal favorites :)
The Stanley Gibbons Instanta is a transparent perforation gauge that somehow differs from the US perforation gauge (someone else well seasoned in this department you can chime in!)I believe, from what I've read, the Instanta gauge uses imperial measurments,and measures the amount of perfs. per inch, where the US gauge measures them with how many there are in 2 cm. Again, anyone who can correct me please do so butterfly has a better understanding :) I love this community :) I really enjoy being here.

You're quick cjd!! Thank you!

The perf number is always the number of perfs in two centimeters. That part has been standardized across the catalogues.

The Instanta's method of combining the skew lines and the transparent plastic allows quite a lot of precision in a lot of different situations. As in most things in life, comfort comes with practice. Googling "Instanta Stanley Gibbons" will bring up a picture, which will help make sense of the product.

I know there are better than other gauges out there but I am quite sure all deal with the same 2centimeter rule. I was actually surprised that the US issues used the Centimeter instead of the inch even dating way back . There may very well be a gauge that converts. For the small queens of which I have 100's and enjoy only second to my large queens there are the few perf rarities that are great to have. Best option would be to use your gauge to accuratly test a more modern mint issue that has no variable. Almost like calibrating against a constant. The difference between 11.5 and 12 is closer than than it sounds and tough to discern . Unitrades Canadian catalog list the 111/2 x 12 in all the small queens and unitrade produces several different gauges so I would be confident with their gauges as well. Granted I have a cheapo unitrade metal gauge that only goes in 1/2 increments but I would not really trust its accuracy vs many of the others availiable. If you are looking at selling this particular stamp it would be best to be able to scan with a computer gauge or have it done professionally , but if it is for your personal enjoyment give it its own home and trust your instincts. Down the road you can always go back to it.

If you are cheap like me, you could just request a photocopy of your current perf guage on transparency film . . . assuming it is already sufficient to your needs.

:) Thank you for the clarification guys, I am still definitly a newbie with lots to learn! but I'm up for it! If I put the stamp where it is to measure 12, it is not consistent through all of the perforation, it starts to run between the spaces. The 11.5 seems to fit perfect...but now how else can I make sure I'm right? should I get the instanta? haha! I'm having too much fun with this me thinks.

Thank you.
At one of my next club meetings I'll try to fit one those words into my conversation. Maybe some will be fooled into thinking I'm one of the "cognoscenti"