Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Does one measure:
(a) to the outside tips of the perforations, both vertically and horizontally; or
(b) to the borders of the stamp's illustration, again measuring vertically and horizontally?
No-one I have asked so far really seems to know. Correct information would be gratefully received.
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Thank you, Patches - but when I asked about the measurement of a stamp I meant its dimensions in millimetres, e.g. 40mm horizontally x 27mm vertically.
In your response to my query you seem to imply that the "measurement" of a stamp is calculated in perforations. But I have seen "measurements" quoted in millimetres. Unfortunately I have never been able to verify this approach by personal observation.
Can you add anything further for my enlightenment?
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Generally speaking, it's not necessary to calculate the size of stamps, because it doesn't vary within any one issue. Exceptions are wet and dry printing varieties of some stamps; identification of these depends on measuring the size of the impression, i.e. height or width of the design itself regardless of the perforations. The precise measurements of particular stamp varieties are normally found only in specialists' handbooks and catalogues.
Perforation differences define face-identical varieties of many stamps, but have nothing to do with height and width measurements of stamps, except in general terms. A perforated stamp with very wide margins, for example, is said to have "boardwalk" margins and might well be physically larger in one or both dimensions than another copy of the same stamp.
I'm curious: Why are you interested in measuring a stamp's dimensions?
Bob
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Thank you, Bob, for your informative response to my query. As to the matter of my interest in a stamp's dimensions, I suffer from an incurable curiosity myself - which knows no bounds in regard to this new and absorbing hobby I have acquired. I'm sure I won't live long enough to know everything about it, but in the meantime ...
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This is a good question, but I do not believe that there is one single answer. It simply depends on the specific issue at hand, I would think. Sometimes size varieties exist due to the printing method, e.g., older Japanese definitives or the Washington-Franklins. In that case, the measurement should be for the printed design.
Sometimes varieties also exist due to the perforation method, i.e. the distance between the perforator blades is not constant across the whole sheet and one or more 'columns' or 'rows' of stamps are thus smaller or larger. Here the sizes given in the catalog to distinguish the varieties would refer to the physical size of the stamp.
Is that what you are asking? Or is the question about measuring stamps for buying the right size of mounts? If you have a specific stamp in mind, maybe we can give a better answer.
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Thank you,Rhinelander, for your information. I would love to present a stamp image for consideration, if only I knew how to get it into this discussion forum. I'm fine when sending an image by standard E-mail, but am at a loss to know how to present it here.
So that's my next question! Perhaps you can advise me?
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For ordering mounts you should quote the full stamp size - from edge to edge. There are softwares which calculate the size of a stamp and these could be programmed to calculate the total size or the design size. Usually in specialist lingo the stamp size refers to the design size. You can check out the PNC3 website there they have provided the design size as well as the stamp size for all the PNC coils.
If we talk about design size than the recent US Sunflower definitive doesn't have any frame around the design so the whole stamp is taken as total stamp/design size.
I am also curious about the sizes of US booklet panes as here it is that stamp size differs from the sheet versions of same stamp.
Saleem
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As Rhinelander says, printing method can make a difference in stamp size. In the 1920s the U.S. BEP transitioned from flat plate to rotary plate printing. Some stamps were printed using both methods and are considered different stamps in Scott. Because of the curve in the rotary press, stamps printed this way are slightly elongated compared to the flat plate variety - sometimes taller, sometimes wider. To my memory there are some which can only be distinguished by measuring the stamp image (not the paper size) - which in the case of old Washington Franklins has a convenient frame. This is tricky because there is some natural variation in size anyway, and the ultimate difference can be less than a millimeter. A lot of people use a template cut from a common flat plate stamp rather than go crazy with a millimeter ruler.
When ordering stamp mounts I measure the stamp from the tips of the perforations.
Ralph
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Michel,
Another reason for checking size is the difference in size from one printing to the next, which produces varieties. As well, sometimes the location of the overprints dimensions of the overprints are measured. In these cases, you would go from one edge of the stamp design to the other to get your measurement. The same problem perplexed me to no end when I was starting out, especially if you have a design like the Australia Aborigine issues (Scott # 226, 248 and 303). In these stamps, you have a portrait with a white background. It's hard to figure out where the design starts and ends on that one. Fortunately the size difference in these issues are easy to detect with the naked eye; but I've come across some real difficult ones as well. Too bad Theresa's off on a trip - she could tell you all about the varieties of Irish overprints...
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Good question,good answers,
next question??
how to post an image of the stamp
go to Documentation/Formating/other formating.
It tells/shows you how to.
TOM
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How to post an image of the stamp?
I remember when I was introduced to computers being instructed to "Press any key" and spending much time looking for something on the keyboard inscribed "Any key" - to no avail, and much frustration.
Now, the instruction: "Go to documentation" proves
equally disappointing, for nowhere can I find the word "Documentation" in this website. HELP!!
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Under Documentation - Formatting on the Menu at the left hand side of this page, scroll down to Images, Attachments, and Clipart
There it says: Example
Input: This is a picture of me: \ image {my picture} and I smile like this: \ clipart {smile}.
Output: This is a picture of me 
and I smile like this: 
.
Note that the "Your Image Here" graphic is replaced by the image file that you upload.
Once you press the preview/post message button you will get a box that will prompt you to search on your computer for the file you wish to upload.
Leave out the spaces after \ and the space before {
If I take out the spaces here you will not see what you need to type in order to upload the image to the Discussion Board.
Liz
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I guess I should go one step further and say that when you find the file on your computer that you wish to upload simply click on the file name and it will transfer that name into the box you will see at the prompt.
It's hard to explain without actually showing you in person, but if you try it you may understand better what I am trying to explain about uploading the file.
I hope this works for you.
Liz
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Michel,
as Liz says.
If you are on the discussion page, look to your left.An entire list of folders is there to navigate this web page,,about halfway down is the folder-Documentation.
Know what you mean about those keys, Everyone else must have an updated version of a keyboard with all those special things. I too have searched for specialy noted "keys" that do not exist on my 10 year old keyboard.
And my keyboard has a dollar sign key,but not a Pound sign ,or Euro sign .Yet they all say-"just use your **** key". which does not exist on my keyboard.
There are computer savy people that know "tricks" to get those "hidden" keys to work, but I think they belong to some secret society,for they wont tell us how to do those tricks.
Good luck in figureing out how to upload a pic. to the DB.
TOM
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Tom - there's no secret society for those ASCII codes. Here is a chart showing a lot of the different characters you may use that are not on your keyboard.
http://charlie.balch.org/asp/ascii.asp
You simply hold down the ALT key on your keyboard and type in a four digit code to make the ASCII code you want appear in your document.
For example for the £ (pound sign) you hold down the ALT key and type in 0163 on your numeric keypad (the little keypad on the right of your keyboard) Make sure your NUM LOCK key is on and you hold down the ALT KEY while you type the four numbers 0163.
When I first started using computers all the F keys (the keys at the top of your keyboard) were down the left hand side of my keyboard. Word processing programs were complicated back then. I had to use a combination of "F" keys to do certain things in a document that our word processing programs now do with a simple pressing of an ENTER key or a CAPS LOCK key or a TAB key.
Liz
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I have deleted my previous post. It was premature and got uploaded by mistake. I also deleted Liz's post expressing understandable confusion!
I've prepared a tutorial giving the procedure step by step. I think it wil help. You can download it now from my stamp club's web site: www.bcphilatelic.org/images/SOR_image_saving.pdf .
If anyone has any suggestion to improve it, let me know.
Bob
(Message edited by bobstamp on February 16, 2009)
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11:48:49pm
How does one calculate the size of a stamp?
Does one measure:
(a) to the outside tips of the perforations, both vertically and horizontally; or
(b) to the borders of the stamp's illustration, again measuring vertically and horizontally?
No-one I have asked so far really seems to know. Correct information would be gratefully received.
Login to Like
this post
01:03:25am
re: How to measure the size of a stamp
Thank you, Patches - but when I asked about the measurement of a stamp I meant its dimensions in millimetres, e.g. 40mm horizontally x 27mm vertically.
In your response to my query you seem to imply that the "measurement" of a stamp is calculated in perforations. But I have seen "measurements" quoted in millimetres. Unfortunately I have never been able to verify this approach by personal observation.
Can you add anything further for my enlightenment?
Login to Like
this post
re: How to measure the size of a stamp
Generally speaking, it's not necessary to calculate the size of stamps, because it doesn't vary within any one issue. Exceptions are wet and dry printing varieties of some stamps; identification of these depends on measuring the size of the impression, i.e. height or width of the design itself regardless of the perforations. The precise measurements of particular stamp varieties are normally found only in specialists' handbooks and catalogues.
Perforation differences define face-identical varieties of many stamps, but have nothing to do with height and width measurements of stamps, except in general terms. A perforated stamp with very wide margins, for example, is said to have "boardwalk" margins and might well be physically larger in one or both dimensions than another copy of the same stamp.
I'm curious: Why are you interested in measuring a stamp's dimensions?
Bob
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this post
01:39:19am
re: How to measure the size of a stamp
Thank you, Bob, for your informative response to my query. As to the matter of my interest in a stamp's dimensions, I suffer from an incurable curiosity myself - which knows no bounds in regard to this new and absorbing hobby I have acquired. I'm sure I won't live long enough to know everything about it, but in the meantime ...
Login to Like
this post
re: How to measure the size of a stamp
This is a good question, but I do not believe that there is one single answer. It simply depends on the specific issue at hand, I would think. Sometimes size varieties exist due to the printing method, e.g., older Japanese definitives or the Washington-Franklins. In that case, the measurement should be for the printed design.
Sometimes varieties also exist due to the perforation method, i.e. the distance between the perforator blades is not constant across the whole sheet and one or more 'columns' or 'rows' of stamps are thus smaller or larger. Here the sizes given in the catalog to distinguish the varieties would refer to the physical size of the stamp.
Is that what you are asking? Or is the question about measuring stamps for buying the right size of mounts? If you have a specific stamp in mind, maybe we can give a better answer.
Login to Like
this post
02:18:21am
re: How to measure the size of a stamp
Thank you,Rhinelander, for your information. I would love to present a stamp image for consideration, if only I knew how to get it into this discussion forum. I'm fine when sending an image by standard E-mail, but am at a loss to know how to present it here.
So that's my next question! Perhaps you can advise me?
Login to Like
this post
re: How to measure the size of a stamp
For ordering mounts you should quote the full stamp size - from edge to edge. There are softwares which calculate the size of a stamp and these could be programmed to calculate the total size or the design size. Usually in specialist lingo the stamp size refers to the design size. You can check out the PNC3 website there they have provided the design size as well as the stamp size for all the PNC coils.
If we talk about design size than the recent US Sunflower definitive doesn't have any frame around the design so the whole stamp is taken as total stamp/design size.
I am also curious about the sizes of US booklet panes as here it is that stamp size differs from the sheet versions of same stamp.
Saleem
Login to Like
this post
re: How to measure the size of a stamp
As Rhinelander says, printing method can make a difference in stamp size. In the 1920s the U.S. BEP transitioned from flat plate to rotary plate printing. Some stamps were printed using both methods and are considered different stamps in Scott. Because of the curve in the rotary press, stamps printed this way are slightly elongated compared to the flat plate variety - sometimes taller, sometimes wider. To my memory there are some which can only be distinguished by measuring the stamp image (not the paper size) - which in the case of old Washington Franklins has a convenient frame. This is tricky because there is some natural variation in size anyway, and the ultimate difference can be less than a millimeter. A lot of people use a template cut from a common flat plate stamp rather than go crazy with a millimeter ruler.
When ordering stamp mounts I measure the stamp from the tips of the perforations.
Ralph
Login to Like
this post
re: How to measure the size of a stamp
Michel,
Another reason for checking size is the difference in size from one printing to the next, which produces varieties. As well, sometimes the location of the overprints dimensions of the overprints are measured. In these cases, you would go from one edge of the stamp design to the other to get your measurement. The same problem perplexed me to no end when I was starting out, especially if you have a design like the Australia Aborigine issues (Scott # 226, 248 and 303). In these stamps, you have a portrait with a white background. It's hard to figure out where the design starts and ends on that one. Fortunately the size difference in these issues are easy to detect with the naked eye; but I've come across some real difficult ones as well. Too bad Theresa's off on a trip - she could tell you all about the varieties of Irish overprints...
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09:26:29am
re: How to measure the size of a stamp
Good question,good answers,
next question??
how to post an image of the stamp
go to Documentation/Formating/other formating.
It tells/shows you how to.
TOM
Login to Like
this post
06:06:43pm
re: How to measure the size of a stamp
How to post an image of the stamp?
I remember when I was introduced to computers being instructed to "Press any key" and spending much time looking for something on the keyboard inscribed "Any key" - to no avail, and much frustration.
Now, the instruction: "Go to documentation" proves
equally disappointing, for nowhere can I find the word "Documentation" in this website. HELP!!
Login to Like
this post
Auctions
re: How to measure the size of a stamp
Under Documentation - Formatting on the Menu at the left hand side of this page, scroll down to Images, Attachments, and Clipart
There it says: Example
Input: This is a picture of me: \ image {my picture} and I smile like this: \ clipart {smile}.
Output: This is a picture of me and I smile like this: .
Note that the "Your Image Here" graphic is replaced by the image file that you upload.
Once you press the preview/post message button you will get a box that will prompt you to search on your computer for the file you wish to upload.
Leave out the spaces after \ and the space before {
If I take out the spaces here you will not see what you need to type in order to upload the image to the Discussion Board.
Liz
Login to Like
this post
Auctions
re: How to measure the size of a stamp
I guess I should go one step further and say that when you find the file on your computer that you wish to upload simply click on the file name and it will transfer that name into the box you will see at the prompt.
It's hard to explain without actually showing you in person, but if you try it you may understand better what I am trying to explain about uploading the file.
I hope this works for you.
Liz
Login to Like
this post
09:07:22pm
re: How to measure the size of a stamp
Michel,
as Liz says.
If you are on the discussion page, look to your left.An entire list of folders is there to navigate this web page,,about halfway down is the folder-Documentation.
Know what you mean about those keys, Everyone else must have an updated version of a keyboard with all those special things. I too have searched for specialy noted "keys" that do not exist on my 10 year old keyboard.
And my keyboard has a dollar sign key,but not a Pound sign ,or Euro sign .Yet they all say-"just use your **** key". which does not exist on my keyboard.
There are computer savy people that know "tricks" to get those "hidden" keys to work, but I think they belong to some secret society,for they wont tell us how to do those tricks.
Good luck in figureing out how to upload a pic. to the DB.
TOM
Login to Like
this post
Auctions
re: How to measure the size of a stamp
Tom - there's no secret society for those ASCII codes. Here is a chart showing a lot of the different characters you may use that are not on your keyboard.
http://charlie.balch.org/asp/ascii.asp
You simply hold down the ALT key on your keyboard and type in a four digit code to make the ASCII code you want appear in your document.
For example for the £ (pound sign) you hold down the ALT key and type in 0163 on your numeric keypad (the little keypad on the right of your keyboard) Make sure your NUM LOCK key is on and you hold down the ALT KEY while you type the four numbers 0163.
When I first started using computers all the F keys (the keys at the top of your keyboard) were down the left hand side of my keyboard. Word processing programs were complicated back then. I had to use a combination of "F" keys to do certain things in a document that our word processing programs now do with a simple pressing of an ENTER key or a CAPS LOCK key or a TAB key.
Liz
Login to Like
this post
re: How to measure the size of a stamp
I have deleted my previous post. It was premature and got uploaded by mistake. I also deleted Liz's post expressing understandable confusion!
I've prepared a tutorial giving the procedure step by step. I think it wil help. You can download it now from my stamp club's web site: www.bcphilatelic.org/images/SOR_image_saving.pdf .
If anyone has any suggestion to improve it, let me know.
Bob
(Message edited by bobstamp on February 16, 2009)
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