While working on my "Poland: A Philatelic History" stamp album, I came across two otherwise identical Polish stamps from a set issued in 1962 for the 7th European Athletics Championships held in Belgrade. One stamp was perforated, and the other was imperforate. Please see my photo below.
At first, I assumed the imperforate stamp was a fake, so I decided to investigate.
I learned that the Polish government deliberately issued both versions. The perforated stamps were intended for regular postal use within Poland, while the imperforate set was produced specifically for collectors. Because fewer imperforate sets were printed they were sold at premium prices to stamp dealers and collectors worldwide. I had heard about this practice during a Kingston Stamp Club's Stamps and Their Stories presentation, after learning what the difference was I felt lucky to have both!
At first, I assumed the imperforate stamp was a fake, so I decided to investigate.
I learned that the Polish government deliberately issued both versions. The perforated stamps were intended for regular postal use within Poland, while the imperforate set was produced specifically for collectors. Because fewer imperforate sets were printed they were sold at premium prices to stamp dealers and collectors worldwide. I had heard about this practice during a Kingston Stamp Club's Stamps and Their Stories presentation, after learning what the difference was I felt lucky to have both!
Happy stamping,
Barbara
Barbara