Learning The Perf Gauge - I Believe It Is A 552, I Feel I Am Not Doing It Properly

Hi,

Today I have decided try to identify some of my Franklins and Washingtons - I have to start somewhere and learn, even through I know it is very basic.

From what II can gather - this example is a common 552, which indicates it is an 11perf. When I try to use the gauge it seems off to me? it is pushed to far left? and the goal it to line up the perf "holes" correct?

Thank you for your assistance - I know this is stamping 101 :)

this shows 11 on top, but the sides are critical too

Ok, well that is where I get confused. What I have read about the possible varieties of this Franklin is that most are 11 perf all the way around. But how can this be 11 perf on the side - seem more like a 13? It seems longer than any of the options on my gauge. I am sure I am doing some stupid rookie mistake - but again, this is how I best learn. thoughts?

Push the stamp a bit higher and find the closest match on the gauge like this...


Note, be sure to check the side perfs too. For this stamp, see if the side perfs are 10 1/2. If this stamp has perf is 11 x 10 1/2, then it is a #632 .
Don

It is the side perf that I am doing wrong. are the sides measured differently than the top? see picture - that can't be 10.5 or 11?

I really appreciate your help - I truly want to learn. Nora.

You're doing it right. The stamp is the one not cooperating.

The metal perf gauge is based on 20mm; inch measurements were/are used on US stamps, so there can be slight differences from this standard gauge. So what we are looking for is the best match to the nearest half number. This can also be true for stamps created using mm. I think if you check against perf 10-1/2 or 11-1/2, perf 11 is the closest match.

To make things more interesting or confusing, there are (I think) 4 very slightly different perf gauges for US Bureau issue stamps that measure as perf 11.

wow. ok, trying again. I think it is 11 or 11.5 (so 11)- it is that last little bit at the edge that is confusing :) and not sure what constitutes a half perf. I still think it is a 552. Thank you. on to the next one :)

It appears to be perf 11 on top/bottom and 10.5 on sides, making it a #632.

Don

Thank you Don - I guess the 1/2 is throwing my off. appreciate it.

I am going to try one more on here for feedback and learning. This one, I have narrowed down to 331, 357 or 374 :) and a flat press. looks to be 12 perf on bottom and now it comes down to watermark? so I need to look for USP double line or single line. Thanks for letting me think out-loud!

You go girl! I think you are heading in the right direction.
Don

Thanks! sorry one more q :). I had been meaning to ask. This 3 cent Washington (which is in poor shape, I know). Why does it have those double purple lines on one side? Shouldn't it be perforated all around? I can see the one side is 12 perf. Thank you.

This one is going to take me some time to figure out.

You can learn about the line here http://stampsmarter.com/learning/ID_RareLines.html
Don

Perfect! I had a feeling it was cut or something. so that helps me determine it is flat press :) which will help me whittle it down more. I have a few like this unfortunately :(

Mrita: This may not apply to the stamp in question, but you should be aware that Scott will occasionally round perf measurements up or down. They do this only when there is no chance that the slightly incorrect "official" value can lead to a misidentification.

This is a great thread and reminder of just how complicated Perfs can get. Thank you all.
If you don't mind can I add a question to the thread and a 101 type question.... measuring stamps.
Sometimes Scott offers a measurement to differentiate between varieties and I struggle with this.
Is it as simple as perf edge to perf edge? I often do not get accurate measurements so have wondered if I am doing it wrong?
Like you would measure a piece of wood or anything else... where the object starts and ends, right?