Monday, January 19, 2009

Perforations of the 5c1E1

I find the following after looking at some 5c lithograped:

The perforation comb used during the first printing, from October 1, 1935; with small and irregular holes, results in variables measurements of the vertical perforation between 13.1 and 13.4. I only find one vertical row with 13.1 perforation, and it is a row with a skipped perf hole. Here I show three illustrative blocks.

The first block is from the row with a perf skip, perforation 13.15, and it should be the same row as that for the 10c Rivadavia Red type I block shown previously.





The second block measures 13.3





The third block measures 13.4





Judging by the rare frequency with which I find the 13.1 perforation, I am guessing that it is only found in one column of the sheet. All of the 5c lithographed (5c1E1) look like they were perforated with this comb; and not with the later comb that measures exactly 13.5 by 13.5.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Perforations of the 10c Rivadavia Red

After ignoring this topic for a very long time (try 15 years), and receiving a Stanley Gibbons transparent strip to measure watermarks, I have made some measurements of the 10c Rivadavia Red:

Small, slightly irregular holes:

Type I horizontal.



Type I vertical as if it was 13.5, which it isn't.



Type I vertical measured correctly, looks like 13.1, and not 13.



Type II horizontal



Type II vertical



Medium, regular holes:

Type II horizontal



Type II vertical



After these measurements, I now realize why I am unable to separate the two vertical perforations with the naked eye:

1. The 13 perforation is from the irregular grid with small holes, and the measurement is not exactly 13.5 or 13.
2. The difference between 13.1 and 13.4 is VERY small.

I wonder if the other stamps from the first batch (October 1, 1935) are also found with the 'almost 13' vertical perforation?