1985 With M Perfins-Need ID Help

Hello.I have not been able to find any info on this 1985 stamp with the "M" perfins in it. I did not think that perfins were used on stamps this modern. Does anyone know where I can find info. on this? Thank you

To the best of my knowledge, there is no prohibition against using perfins should one have the equipment to do it, so date shouldn't matter. In fact, I have a Marilyn Monroe stamp of recent vintage that has a utility company perfin on it, which also seemed unusual until I realized that they were a prolific user of perfins and had the equipment to continue to perfin their stamps to this day.

Someone with a specific catalog on perfins would be able to pin down the perfin design, however, I suspect it was probably done on a State level (i.e. Michigan, Maine, Montana, Massachusetts, etc.) as a means to cut down on theft of stamps. I just wonder why the office or agency didn't have a postage meter that would have eliminated the need for perfined stamps altogether.

[Edit]: Here's an old State of Michigan perfin stamp from the 1940's. While it doesn't match your more modern example, it may be that it is a later variation of it:

thank you for the info. and the example :)

Thankyou wt1. I have a 3c Liberty issue with that M perfin, and I've been trying to figure it out for over a year. Finally I can get some sleep.

Glad to help. You may wish to review this previous thread as to other Michigan perfins:

https://goscf.com/t/16797

it is great how someone always has info. in this forum. Thank you :)

Interesting - the Catalog of US Perfins shows that perfin (yes, State of Michigan) in use from 1963 to 1982. A similar circle M perfin is still currently in use, but your example seems to postdate the latest usage known by the catalogue editors.

Perfins are much less common on modern issues, as was noted. According to the perfin catalogue, there were only 15 patterns still in use when the catalogue was published (1998).

Ryan

WT1 is correct. There are no RULES about perfin usage on today's mails, other than the size restrictions of the perfin pattern itself.
He was also correct on the State of Michigan usage.

The state of Illinois still use perfins on their stamps, even adding a new pattern not to many years ago.

The main problem that caused the demise of perfined stamps, was NOT the PO, but the advent and usage of metered mail. The busnesses or organizations do not buy stamps anymore, they use the meter machines, or printed postage from the PO.

The state of New Mexico in Santa Fe, still has their perfin machine, it is being used as a paper weight on a shelf (or it was the last time I talked with the individual that has it in his office!).

Private individuals use perfins all the time on current mail, however, getting a letter from them may prove difficult if you aren't on their mailing list.

I beleive that the machines are still being manufactured, and no special permit is
required by the post office (unlike the Precancelled Use Permit or the Private Postmark Permit). I have both, if anyone needs a private cancel, let me know.

Hope this helps some of you with it's info.

Bob

Not that it matters much today, but I wonder how those old perfin machines react to today's self-stick stamps. It seems to me the pressure sensitive adhesive would "gum up" the perfin machine that was never thought to be a problem back in its heydey of use.

great info. and ideas. Thank you :)