Imperf Stamps

hey I am confused about this subject
what imperf stamps means? and what makes them so special for collectors?

"Imperf" = Imperforate stamps, in other words no perforation holes or die cuts between each stamp, requiring that they be detached by cutting them with a scissors for use on a piece of mail.

Most early "imperforate" stamps were intended for use in specially designed stamp affixing machines and, occasionally, there were errors when stamps were not perforated as designed due to faulty equipment, which typically are the ones that command a sizable premium in value.

Fast forward to the present day -- in the US anyway -- the self adhesive stamps so commonly used today may often be ordered with or without perforations, the latter typically in press sheet form aimed at collectors. However, many collectors choose to cut up their press sheets creating imperforate stamps as philatelic curiosities, gutter blocks, etc., for collecting purposes.

Since modern imperforate stamps are intentionally made available in reasonably large quantities, the value is relatively low, yet they still interest a number of stamp collectors who strive to obtain as many varieties of stamps (with or without perforations) that may be available for any given issue.

To be honest, I'm not so sure that things changed much over the years. I recall that the Head Postmaster of one of the early Indian Feudatory States (Tony McG will no doubt jog my failing memory as to which), when asked why his state produced both perf and imperf stamps, was quoted as saying 'Because The Gentlemen like both!' The Gentlemen were of course the Stamp Collectors.

thanks that was a great answer so I understand now it might makes a difference in a group of stamps but people paying much more money just for a straight corners or whatever doesn't make sense for me

Your last post raises a question that has intrigued me for some time. For many years, Canada and other countries issued stamps with straight edges along the sheet borders(i.e. no selvedge). I find the border stamps unattractive but wonder if others attach more value to them than to the fully perforated stamps. Any comment?

Stamps with one natural straight edge from a cut line are usually less desirable than a stamp with all sides perforated.
Also if You don't like the perfs you can always cut them off with scissors :)

While I fully agree with the above statement, the fact remains that there are less straight edge stamps than one that is perforated all around. Therefore, it is technically "scarcer" but yet is not held in high regard by most collectors.

The same can be said about cover collecting. Although some cover collectors go to great lengths to prepare philatelic covers for the stamp collecting community, many prefer not to collect philatelically contrived covers but would rather focus on those covers that actually saw legitimate postal use in their day (i.e. containing stamps that show legitimate postal rates, postmarks and other postal markings.)

It just goes to prove that we stamp collectors are a finicky bunch!

Actually, Bamra1, I believe you were thinking of the Bundi Sacred Cows: the gentlemen sometimes requested Service overprints, in any colour or position imaginable, for which the Bundi Post Office was always happy to oblige

Jammu & Kashmir in fact tried perforating its stamps, around 1878. It used a harrow device - like a small bed of nails, which perforated an entire sheet at a time -



(1878-9 ½ Anna red, SG 102)

but quickly gave up, because the machine kept on breaking down. They then went back to issuing their stamps imperforate



(1879 ½ Anna red, SG 126)

The perforated examples are much scarcer than the imperf ones.