When a catalog gives a measurement for a stamp, does that measurement pertain to the actual printed are? (i.e. outer edge of the frame on a 1910's-20's 1 cent Washington/Franklin)
Probably a rookie question, but if the shoe fits...
The measurements, unless stated otherwise, pertain to the printed area of the stamp.
Some stamps of the same design from Argentina, for example, were printed with different margin sizes. It is easiest to identify them by paper size. Scott does mention it when a stamp's given dimensions relate to the paper size.
Typically the overall size of the design is given when essentially the same stamp exists with a different size. For US stamps this is most useful in the 3rd Bureau to identify some coils, coil waste, and sheet waste. A 3rd Bureau Flat Plate stamp design measures 19 mm x 22 mm. Because the Rotary Press plates were curved to fit on the press, the design is stretched in one direction. Sidewise coils are about 19.5 mm wide. Endwise coils are about 22.5 mm tall.
Measurement also identifies the 4th Bureau coil waste stamps since they came from sidewise coils whereas the sheet stamps were stretched longways. In fact, you could ID all of the Flat Plate versus Rotary Press issues of the 4th Bureau by measuring the image, but measuring perfs is a LOT easier!
Lars
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