To Perf Or Not To Perf....that Is The Question.

Canada Post has printing companies hired to produce a standard product...They are responsible for their product.

We all know there are standard properties on stamps that we expect, and if they are not present, we as collectors assign a variety to these non standard products...Such as colours missing, words missing, etc. which are NOT the standard product that we expect...

Below are a few non standard examples of stamps that in my opinion do not meet standards...Examples are misperfed stamps and blind perfs.

I am at lost when I am always told that non standard perfs are no given the same justice as colours missing, etc.





I know most of you out there will say "hey, they dont count or even matter"...Can some one explain why they dont count.

Robert

Robert, I agree with you, but am not sure of the blind perf situation. Paul

Disclaimer: My statements are my opinion and are not to be taken as an attack on or to disparage anyone.
Bottom line is because the stamp experts AND consumer demand say so. These frequently dictate values and opinions. I'd suppose that most of the experts have earned the terms due to many years of studies and experience. Never the less, some of their opinions are no more than just opinions that are accepted as normal. One example of an opinion that is inconsistent with fact is defining what is rare and worthy of premium prices. Stamps with straight edges (SE) are in most instances rare in quantity compared to more plentiful stamps perforated on all sides. Yet they tend to be valued considerable less than fully perforated stamps. I'm actually with the experts on SE stamps because in my opinion fully perfed well centered stamps are more pleasing to the eye. However, I have several 1800s classics with a SE. Well centered fully perforated examples are out of my income bracket. So in this particular example I say: "Thank you experts."

As for your misperforated stamps, they do count as a specific issue but have reduced value because they are not sufficiently misperfed to demand even normal value since most collectors consider them to be unattractive. Unless I'm mistaken a stamp requires a minimum 10% misperforation into the design to attract the attention of consumers. A misperf in the exact center of a design is desirable and will add a premium to the stamp.

The bottom stamp have what are frequently called "blind perfs". The perfs are present even though the perforator failed to punch completely through the paper. Some consider them faults but it seems to me that they usually can get a fair price. Strangely, missing perfs are are generally considered to be unattractive faults and often have a reduced value even less than blind perfs.

I frequently buy stamps with reduced value simply because I like the stamp and the opinions of then experts or consumers is irrelevant to me. I too am with you in your complaint.

Thank you for the support quigngt and Paul
Always been a pet peeve of mine...haha
And is almost exactly 10% ff center.

Robert

With regard to blind perfs - I know nothing about printing, but I believe that they are created by insufficient pressure to cut completely through the paper.

Similarly, light or heavy inking on a stamp can be caused by incorrect fluid flow settings, ink reservoirs that are and incorrect pressure as well. All can result in a stamp that does not have perfect colouring.

I have never considered a less than perfectly coloured stamp an error or a variety, just interesting and yes, I do collect them.

Of the following four images, I have no idea which, in any, have the correct colours.

I'm with you Robert, I think the little things make it all the more interesting.
Willie