Perforations

I understand what it means when a stamp sais perf 14 namely 14 perforations in 2cm. Now I have seen some confusing side notes with stamps on stampworld, perhaps someone could explain these to me.

What means: perf 14 x 13½, Wm 3

How come "perf 14 x 13½" how can there be two perforations?

What means "Wm 3"?

First number (14) is the perfs that are horizontal. The second (13.5) is the perfs that are vertical. Wm3 refers to the type of watermark.

Thanks!

Paul, I guess you may be on Stampworld.com? Click on where it says Wm3 or whatever, and the watermark usually pops up, as if by magic.

I have noticed from your numerous posts these past several days that you may have in your possession a Scott Postage Stamp Catalogue.

If this is so, then I must advise you to read the first several chapters pertaining to various aspects of stamp collecting & the identification process for same - Perusal of these sections will answer most if not all you queries.

Regards,
Stampalotapus

Wm 3 maybe "Multiple Crown CA" watermark (see below) of which can be found in the beginning chapters of each Scott Catalogue, as well a Die types, and a wealth of other info (e.g. Common Designs, Europa Issues, etc.).



Regards,
Stampalotapus

While I've never seen an example, it is theoretically possible for each of the 4 sides of a normal stamp to be perforated or die-cut at different gauges. If this ever occurs, the rule of thumb is to follow the clock ... start at the top (12 o'clock) and move clockwise. The perfs would read TxRxBxL (Top, Right, Bottom, Left). For US stamps, the only perforation anomalies I can think of are for the 1917-1919 Washington Franklin rarities. Most of the stamps are perf 11 on all sides, but a few rare ones (CV in the $10K-$30K range) measure 10 on the top or the bottom. I've never seen the above scheme used with these stamps, but if one were to do so I suppose that, in order to be completely accurate, one would have to specify the perfs as 10x11x11x11 or 11x11x10x11. In the first instance, the top of the stamp has perf 10. For the second, it is the bottom of the stamp.