Wacky question, December 13
Published December 13, 2005 at midnight
Why do postage stamps have "ruffled" edges? - George
There are three reasons for the "serpentine die cut" on self-adhesive stamps, according to the American Philatelic Society:
• It makes them easier to remove from the paper backing. Until the mid-1990s, self-adhesive stamps had straight edges, which made them difficult to peel off the backing. The "wavy" die cut eased the problem.
• It discourages counterfeiting, because the precise patterns of the serpentine die cuts are much harder to reproduce than straight edges are.
• It recalls the perforated edges of "lick and stick" stamps of yore, making the self-adhesive version look more "stamplike" to postal employees and postal customers of a certain age.
Have a stumper? Call the Wacky Questions Research Center,
303-892-5225, or e-mail rudeenm@RockyMountainNews.com.
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