Perf Question On Revenues.

Are these perforations intentional? I see quite a few of these and the only thing I can assume is that they can be fractionalized. Is this the case or just folded &/or carelessly perforated? I see other that arent so uniform is why I'm asking.

NO US Revenues were ever intended to be fractionalized. They were misperfed in error. The first three issues are loaded with freak and misperfs. Some like this one can be quite damatic. I have a few that have come in collections and lots etc. But, I have never actively persued them. Though I know of some who do. I do like this one with what would appear to be a diag. bisect line. Very nice stamp.

I would not pay premiums for freak perfs on U.S. revenues. Some dealers try to get premiums for them, whereas I view freak perfs as a negative, thus commanding a discount.

It is widely held that many, if not virtually all freak perfs were created artificially after the fact.

They're neat looking, and if you like them, that's cool, but don't pay big bucks for them.

AGREED!

well that one I found on eBay and I think the price was 6.00 or something close. I judt snagged the picture as I was curious as to what they was. Thanks. =]

Virtually all revenue stamps with perforations randomly thropugh the face of the stamp are fakes. They are nothing but ruined stamps. Many genuine multiple perfs exist, but they are generally parallel to the other perfs and do not look like this dramatic bull! Even legit ones are common and should not command a premium.

The First Quarter 2014 issue of the American Revenuer has an article by Robert Mustacich dealing with this issue.

Given how the first three issues were perforated, I doubt if any of them were genuine errors. The perforating wheels used on these issues were sold as scrap about 1890 or so, and this type of item came crawling out of the woodwork in mass quantities.

These fakes were created by a small line perforator that could be held in the palm of your hand. If Sterling had not placed a premium on them this may never have been a problem. What amazes me is the number of absolutely wonderful stamps this jerk destroyed.