Measuring Millimeters

I KNOW this is a stupid question, so shoot me down but -- when measuring mm's do you measure the image only, or edge-to-edge of the stamp itself? I can find a ton of info on measuring perfs, but not so much on this ... Thanks --

I think measuring the design versus the full stamp will depend upon the reason for measuring. If you're doing it to determine proper mount size then you'd definitely want to use edge to edge.

If you're trying to identify a stamp based on measurements given in Scott or some other catalogue you may need to measure just the design.

Dale

Questions here are not considered stupid, ask with confidence.

Generally accepted as the measurement of the design only.

Where measurement to the perforation end tips, is usually for Album space
design to accommodate the stamp itself.

Thank you very much!

Measurements in catalogues are usually given for the design, as the size of the actual stamp will vary depending on the luck of the perforation machine.

For some issues the stamp size can be crucial to differentiating issues eg the GB Seahorse high values of 1915-1918 -- one printing is about half a millimetre taller than the other.

Actual stamp size can also vary due to paper shrinkage eg Canada 'Small Queens' from the late 19th century, which come in a huge range of sizes.

No such thing as a dumb question, only an inadequate response.