Peforations - Oddities And Errors.

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All of the holes on the sides of the stamps were created by little metal pins that punched the holes. Blind perforations are when the stamp appears to be missing the perforations, but if you look closely, there are traces of the perforation holes there

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What are they?

Before all of the modern day self-adhesive stamps with die cuts, the sheets of stamps were perforated. All of the holes on the sides of the stamps were created by little metal pins that punched the holes.

Blind perforations are when the stamp appears to be missing the perforations, but if you look closely, there are traces of the perforation holes there.

How do blind perforations happen? There are several reasons.

First of all, one of the perforation pins may have broken off. Thus, the stamp has many perforations. But there is a spot where a perforation hole is missing.

Second, the perforation pins may become worn after extensive use. As the pins wear down, they don't punch holes any more, they produce "dents" in the paper. The operator has to replace the pins with new ones that are sharp and will cue the holes.