Sonic Imagery Labs
US Specialty Precision Multi-Gauge
Fight Philatelic Fraud and Expertize
the Ones You Have Doubts About!

I have received over 800 e-mail's in the last 28 months asking for advice or help in determining what is real and what is bogus. Most of the tools I use are very simple. A perf gauge, a short wave ultraviolet lamp, a magnifying glass, a stereo microscope, a digital camera and a flatbed scanner. The most important tool though without question is a perforation gauge. At the time this all started, I still had the gauge my grandfather gave me in 1973. You know the one. The aluminum and black painted one with the useless cutout along the side. I bought a Linn's Analog Gauge several years ago and it's great but I wanted something a little cooler and easier to use. Plus the Scott's catalog doesn't provide analog decimal perforation measurements. What's this? Isn't Perf 12 uuuuhhh perf 12? Nope! On an analog gauge its 11.93. On a specialist gauge its 12-66. I set out on the web to find a Specialist Gauge that Richard Kiusalas created in 1965 or so. After many months of searching I found one and was happy. For a while.

I am always thinking of silly ideas and it took months the locate the Specialist Gauge. So I set about creating a better mouse trap "in the mean time" so to speak. You can buy one too now. Read more about it below and click the Buy It Now button below to get your own

Then out of the blue, I get an e-mail from another collector who say's "nerdman! create a grill gauge and the world will beat a path to your door!" Well ..... I don't know if I have enough chairs for everyone to come over to the house, but I did design a grill gauge which at the very least gives me a good idea if I have an "I" grill or a "H" grill.

And now Sonic Imagery Labs has combined the 2 concepts and added 9 other features to make all other gauges obsolete.

Read more about it below and click the Buy It Now button below to get your own if it sounds like something that might be handy to have.

The Top of the Fakes Pages
Another Bogus Scott 519 - New November 2002
The Fake Scott 346 Private Perf - New October 2002
The Most Impressive Fake Scott 62B
The Secret Life of an Altered Scott 72
The Secret Life of a Chemically Altered Scott 78
The Secret Life of an Altered RW5 Duck Stamp
A Fake Scott #320 with Schermack Type III Perforations
Fake Scott #743a
Detecting a Flat Plate Press Vertical Coil, Fake Scott 441
Fake Reperfed 514a
Fake Reperfed 508c
Fake Reperfed 546
Fake Scott 143 w / Bogus Grill
Fake Scott 137 w / Same Bogus Grill as Fake 143
Fake Scott 139 w / Same Bogus Grill as Fake 137 and 143
Fake Scott 315 - Revised June 2002
Fake Reperfed Scott 519 - Revised June 2002

A Gallery of Bogus Stuff Part 1
A Gallery of Bogus Stuff Part 2
A Gallery of Bogus Stuff Part 3
A Gallery of Bogus Stuff Part 4
A Gallery of Bogus Stuff Part 5

Credits, Inspiration and Links of Interest
Bibliography of Research Material I Use for this Site
Download the Schermack Type III Go-NoGo Gauge

NEW REVISION 5.2 August 2016
Buy the Sonic Imagery Labs Specialty Perforation & Grill Multi -Gauge

Download Instruction Sheet for the Sonic Imagery Labs Specialty Perforation & Grill Multi -Gauge

Download a MAIL ORDER form for the Sonic Imagery Labs Specialty Perforation & Grill Multi -Gauge

New Rev5.2 Design Is Now In Stock
Click the Buy Now Button to Purchase

Sonic Imagery Labs
US Specialty Precision Multi-Gauge
Has all the features that other multi-gauges do not. Has so many capabilities that it makes other gauges obsolete. A bold claim, I agree but read on and decide for yourself.

The New and Improved U.S. Specialized Multi-Gauge is the essential tool for any collector interested in U.S. stamps from the Classics through the Liberty Issue of 1954. The gauge now contains 11 precision measuring devices beginning with a Specialty Perf Gauge based on the Kiusalas Specialist Gauge. For collectors of the Grilled Issues, there are two useful gauges: the Grill Pattern Gauge, used to determine the grill type of a stamp, and the Grill Size Gauge, which is used to determine the size of the grill. The Parallel Line Millimeter Gauge is used to measure the width or height of coil stamps, as well as the parallel accuracy of coil cuts and edges. For collectors of Flat Press/Rotary Press issues, the Design Size Millimeter Gauge will quickly measure the size of the frame design of these stamps, while the Rotary/Flat Press Gauge is the quickest way to determine what press was used to print a stamp. The Schermack Private Perforation Gauge accurately reflects the vertical height of Schermack Type III perforations. The Large and Small Hole Perf 10 issues of the Liberty Series can easily be distinguished using this measuring device. A Standard Perf Gauge, which measures to the nearest tenth of a perf; a Cancellation Diameter Gauge and an enlarged 240mm long Millimeter Scale are the final three devices on the gauge. The grill points in the Grill Pattern Gauge have been lightened, to allow users to better see through the gauge. This new gauge also features improved lamination that will keep the printed image from scratching off, and prevent shrinkage due to age and temperature. It is a revised edition and quantity dealer inquiries are welcome. Includes a protective slipcover shown and a colored "contrasting backround card" to aid in measurements. The back of the slip cover has a summary of the instructions and feature description shown below. You can also download a PDF instruction sheet here. The slipcover is made from glossy 90 lb. card stock. The multigauge itself is made of durable hydraulically laminated clear TVC ANSI-X35d spec temperature stable plastic and measures 10.4 x 3.9 inches and is 0.0095 inches (9mils) thick.

FEATURES:
The Sonic Imagery Labs Specialty Precision Multi Gauge combines 12 precision measuring devices in one easy to use instrument. This gauge has been expressly created for US stamp collectors but can be used were applicable. Since the gauge is hydraulically laminated clear material, it can be used to measure stamps on cover, in sheets, or mounted in albums. For measuring loose stamps, one will also find it beneficial to place the stamp to be measured on top of the gauge with the gauge on a lightly colored background. The lamination process also insures that the gauge itself will not shrink due to heat or aging. This proprietary process guarantees accurate measurements and prevents the design elements from being scratched off.

1. Specialty Perforation Gauge, Bureau Issues
is used to determine the perforation measurement of a stamp (number of teeth or holes per two centimeters) Our gauge is a variation based on the Richard Kiusalas Specialty Gauge produced in the mid 1960’s. It has various settings for perforations commonly believed to be the same. Thus, there are three “perf-10” measurements possible, 10-79,10-80, and 10-81. The second set of numbers refers to the spacing between holes in thousandths of an inch.

The dots of the gauge also matches the diameter of the pins that cut the perforations. Use the gauge the way you would any ordinary gauge. Make all measurements under 5 - 12X magnification. The match should be exact along the entire length of the side being examined. For more info on the original Kiusalas Aluminum Gauge click
here and read Gary Griffiths fine article

2. Standard Analog Perforation Gauge

is used to determine the perforation measurement of a stamp (number of teeth or holes per two centimeters). If all perforations align on the horizontal dots, that's the precise perforation. If the point of alignment falls between the dots, the stamp has a fractional measurement.

3. Go-No Go Rotary / Flat Plate Press Gauge
Quickly determines if the stamp was printed using the Flat Plate Press or Vertical /Horizontal Rotary Plate Press. Make all measurements under 5 - 20X magnification. Simply follow the instructions on the gauge. This is typically the 1st approximation and specialists then measure the stamp using the Go-NoGo Design Size Millimeter Gauge. (Gauge Number 8 Above.)

4. Grill Pattern Gauge
For United States Issues of 1867 to 1871. Grill Pattern Gauge is used to determine the grill type of a stamp. It is important to understand and determine the correct grill type, as many issues have several grill variants. For example, the 3 cent Washington issue of 1861 (Scott 64 and 65), was printed again in 1867 and can be found with 7 grill variations. The grill classifications can be determined by the size of the grilled pattern, the shape of the grill point and which side of the stamp the apex of the point appears.

5. Go-NoGo Grill Size Gauge
Many of the later grill patterns are faint and can be hard to see. By examining the stamp with a bright light source at an extreme angle, one can use the go-nogo portion of the gauge to determine the correct classification of grill.



6. Cancellation Diameter Gauge
is used to measure the diameter of circles, date stamps, and any other marking or detail, which are traditionally scaled in millimeters. Place the scale over the object of interest until it is centered within the rings. Then read scale. Rings are at 10 mm increments. Major divisions are 1 mm and minor divisions are 0.5 mm.

7. Liberty Issues of 1954
is used to measure and differentiate between the large hole and small hole perforation 10 varieties of this series.
8. Parallel Line Millimeter Gauge
is used for accurately measuring the height or width of coil stamps. It is also useful for verifying the parallel accuracy of coil cuts and edges as well as perforation spacing across perforation rows. This is typically used under 10-30X magnification. Accurate readings require a consistent technique. The edge of the stamp being measured can be placed at the "0" mark of the scale in three different positions: 1. The edge of the design flush with the left side of the "0" marker. 2. The edge of the design flush with the in the center of the "0" marker. 3. The edge of the design flush with the right side of the "0" marker. How one begins, technically makes no difference. What is important is how the final reading is taken. It must be consistent with how the scale was positioned at the start.

9. Go-No Go Design Size Millimeter Gauge
is used for quickly measuring the height and width of a stamps frame design. The gauges line width is 0.10 mm and is helpful for determining the direction and ratio of paper shrinkage if present. It is graduated in 0.25 mm increments for the most common design sizes of the bureau era.

10. Go-No Go Schermack Private Perforation Gauge
Measurements of many Schermack Type III perforations show that horizontal spacing varies considerably. The average horizontal centering is about 20 mm. While their horizontal spacing varies, their vertical dimensions remain fixed.

11. 240mm Standard Millimeter Scale
Major divisions are 1 mm and minor divisions are 0.5 mm. As stated earlier, accurate readings require a consistent technique. The edge of the stamp being measured can be placed at the "0" mark of the scale in three different positions: 1. The edge of the design flush with the left side of the "0" marker. 2. The edge of the design flush with the in the center of the "0" marker. 3. The edge of the design flush with the right side of the "0" marker. How one begins, technically makes no difference. What is important is how the final reading is taken. It must be consistent with how the scale was positioned at the start.

12. Vending and Affixing Machine Perforation Identifier
Also called "private perfs". Coverage of the Vending and Affixing Machine Perforation Identifier has been expanded to include The Attleboro Stamp Co., The Brinkerhoff Co. (Types I, IIa, IIb), The Farwell Co. (Types A-B), Mailometer Co. (Types I-V), The Schermack Co. (Types I-III) and US Automatic Vending Co. (Types I-III).

Since your interested in precision gauges for stamps, please have a look at my US website for more information concerning this gauge and the perils of online auctions. http://www.slingshotvenus.com/stamps/fakes.html. If you buy lots of stamps at online auctions, please visit www.scads.org and help rid the world of altered and bogus stamps. You will be surprised by what you learn. The sales of these precision gauges helps offset the cost of maintaining my US website that is dedicated to exposing philatelic fraud, forgeries, alterations, and other nasty stuff. For more information about the problem of philatelic fraud, forgeries and alterations, you must also visit my friend Sheryll's award winning site at www.sheryll.net.

Thanks for looking. Be careful, it's a dangerous place out there.
Updated August 16, 2016

Payment Terms:
Buyer pays shipping of $0.75 USPS First Class mail to anywhere in the United States. $6.45 USPS Domestic Priority Mail, $2.25 USPS First Class international mail beyond North America. Payment by cash, money order, personal or business check, Checks sent from outside the US should be international money orders payable in US Dollars. We also accept PAYPAL. Our PAYPAL account is nerdman@ix.netcom.com. Payment can be mailed to Sonic Imagery Labs, c/o Richard Doporto, PO Box 20494 Castro Valley, CA 94546 USA. When possible, multiple items will be packaged together to reduce shipping charges.

New Rev5.2 Design Is Now In Stock
Click the Buy Now Button to Purchase

US Specialty Perforation & Grill Multi-Gauge