222 Perf Missing Holes?

Hi,

I have a 222 with 2 perf holes missing on the right edge near the bottom. From my searching, I find that this is considered fairly common and furthermore, does not add value unless the imperf is the entire edge for example.

Is it common, and what causes this? I am imagining pins that can snap off (and may be replaceable when it's noticed.) Any remarks appreciated. Here is a picture:

You've kinda already got it figured out - the perf pins break off and you end up with a few unpunched holes. This is relatively common. One or two are more of an annoyance and probably drop the stamp's value a bit. Although not regularly done, I see unpunched perfs called out in some auction catalogs - and like they are a slight negative rather than a slight positive. A truly 'imperf between' pair of stamps will have no punched holes, and no SIGN of even blind perfs (blind perfs = punched, but the little 'dot' never came out). When I say unpunched perfs are a negative, I mean a very slight negative - nothing like a crease or a thin. At least I THINK that is the general consensus - others may disagree. I know that I look for stamps with full perfs all the way around.

Thank you very much. It didn't occur to me that it might be a slight negative, but I can see why; it would interfere with a stamp's relative "perfection" if I can call it that. I guess an auction house would consider such a thing akin to an "ugly duckling" as opposed to a very fine well centered specimen. I find it sort of an interesting aspect.

Baker,

Could you post an illustration of the entire stamp for those of us less familiar with Canada's stamps, and to put the missing pins into full perspective? Thanks.

IMO, this is one of those things that most typical collectors seek a fully-perforated specimen, while a detailed specialist would seek out such an example as a minor production oddity, but those few collectors are not enough to significantly change the value much either way.

John,

Sure. Here it is. It's not Canadian, it's 222 US. This stamp isn't in the greatest shape, but it's got personality!

Well, I'm laughing at myself. I have no idea how I thought it was Canadian vs US.
Thanks for the full image all the same!

As noted, pins break.

The worst period in US stamp production for perf-pins was during WWII when many constant missing pin patterns up to and including imperf between stamps are found. The Defense issue (899-901) and lower denomination Prexies (1938 Presidential Issues) were especially hard hit.

One could do well putting together a subject area collection of the period.

Parcelpostguy,
Exactly. I think there's a good article somewhere in there too. Especially the point about WWII. The shortage of various items, such as metal at that time resulted in drives. The metal was needed to make war materiel. That might have prompted the same efforts in stamp printing; pins break, but "make it do," and "make it last" could mean waiting longer than usual to make repairs, even to metal pins.