Page 13 - Paul Farrimond: Jamaica- Perfins
P. 13
Perfins ~-= -=~-~-- =-=======""'-=-=~~=~~
9-Hole Diamond Punch
Not a true perfin, as the perforator takes the form of a diamond rather than initials, and the holes are larger
than on perfins. Probably comprising a single diamond perforator, generally applied fairly centrally, and
sometimes twice to a single stamp.
The diamond punch is recorded on nine different stamps from George V's reign, including seven values from
the 1921 Script CA watermark pictorial definitives (from 1 d to 1 Os). All reported examples from this period are
on loose stamps. Most bear no apparent cancellation, but a number of recorded stamps have fiscal
cancellations in purple ink. At least two different cancellations are found: for the Royal Bank of Canada and
Barclays Bank (Dominion, Colonial & Overseas).
9-hole perforator
Ex. SwartJnck
coilectior·;
Stamp of the 1921-29 pictorial definitive issue, cancelled with a faint handstamp in purple ink,
apparently that of Barclays Bank (Dominion, Colonial & Overseas); probably from fiscal use within the bank
Ex. Svvarbrick cnHecUcn
Four further stamps from the 1921-29 pictorial issue, one apparently postally used and two mint with gum
(suggesting that they were punched before being used)
Bob Swarbrick attributed this diamond punch to the Bank of Nova Scotia, apparently on the basis of one or
more covers from this institution. lt seems likely that the diamond punch was applied by a bank to stamps
used on financial documents liable to tax (e.g. cheques, travellers' cheques, promissory notes, drafts, etc.),
and that these were sometimes struck by fiscal cancellations applied to the documents by receiving banks;
hence the recognition of cancels from at least two different banks. On that basis, use by the Bank of Nova
Scotia is quite possible.
9-Hole Diamond Punch
Not a true perfin, as the perforator takes the form of a diamond rather than initials, and the holes are larger
than on perfins. Probably comprising a single diamond perforator, generally applied fairly centrally, and
sometimes twice to a single stamp.
The diamond punch is recorded on nine different stamps from George V's reign, including seven values from
the 1921 Script CA watermark pictorial definitives (from 1 d to 1 Os). All reported examples from this period are
on loose stamps. Most bear no apparent cancellation, but a number of recorded stamps have fiscal
cancellations in purple ink. At least two different cancellations are found: for the Royal Bank of Canada and
Barclays Bank (Dominion, Colonial & Overseas).
9-hole perforator
Ex. SwartJnck
coilectior·;
Stamp of the 1921-29 pictorial definitive issue, cancelled with a faint handstamp in purple ink,
apparently that of Barclays Bank (Dominion, Colonial & Overseas); probably from fiscal use within the bank
Ex. Svvarbrick cnHecUcn
Four further stamps from the 1921-29 pictorial issue, one apparently postally used and two mint with gum
(suggesting that they were punched before being used)
Bob Swarbrick attributed this diamond punch to the Bank of Nova Scotia, apparently on the basis of one or
more covers from this institution. lt seems likely that the diamond punch was applied by a bank to stamps
used on financial documents liable to tax (e.g. cheques, travellers' cheques, promissory notes, drafts, etc.),
and that these were sometimes struck by fiscal cancellations applied to the documents by receiving banks;
hence the recognition of cancels from at least two different banks. On that basis, use by the Bank of Nova
Scotia is quite possible.
