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When the first stamps appeared in the early 1840s, they were imperforate - without holes - and needed to be cut apart with scissors. Soon after perforations appeared and cutting out tiny holes became the most common way of separating stamps.

(Left) An imperforate block of the Harding Memorial Issue of the United States, Scott #611, 1923

(Below) Major types of perforations found on issues of the United States, Great Britain, and continental Europe.  From RJ Sutton, Practical Philately (London: 1953)

A gauge that allowed collectors to measure these holes accurately was created by a Frenchman in the 1860s. The number of holes every 2 centimeters corresponds to its perforation. Perf 12, for example, means that the stamp has 12 holes every 2 centimeters in both the horizontal and vertical direction. A perf value of 12x13 refers to the perforation being 12 horizontally and 13 vertically.

Early imperforate stamps must be checked carefully to be sure they are not a perforated variety with the perfs cut off.  When buying expensive imperforates, you should probably have them expertized.                                    A popular perforation gauge.

Another form of perforation is called rouletting. This is done by cutting partially through the paper but not punching any of it out. Imagine a pizza cutter that scores the pizza crust, making it easier to separate. Different forms of rouletting exist. Most have French names. Examples include: "perce en lignes," meaning "cut in lines"; "perce en arc" and "perce en scie," meaning "pierced in an arc" or "pierced in a saw tooth"; and "perce serpentin," or cut in tiny, wavy lines.

The many types of scoring that result from the various rouletting processes.  From RJ Sutton, Practical Philately (London: 1953)

Sometimes it's hard to tell a rouletted, perforated stamp from a regularly imperforate one. It's best to have such stamps in pairs that have not yet been separated. They will look like imperforates, but the scoring will be clearly visible.

For examples of the above mentioned types, refer to the following: "perce en lignes" - Mexico Scott #500, "perce en points" - Mexico, Scott #242-56; "perce en arc" and "en scie" - Hanover, Scott #25-29; - "perce en serpentin" - Brunswick (Germany), Scott #13-18.

Other types exist if you want to explore any worldwide catalog. So take a good look at your stamps and remember how important perforations are! 

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