IMPERFORATES (NON DENTELES OFFICIELS) (figg. L1, L2)

Appeared toward 1940 (for Andorra first appeared with the release of the 1944 definitives), they are normal stamps but without indentation on sheets of 50, 25 (fig. L3) or 10 units (fig. L4). Therefore, they originate from the normal printing, the same that will give origin to the definitive stamps. In practice,  a certain number of the first sheets printed for one determined issue, are subtracted to the following perforation.

For French issues, the N.D. are in number of 1.000 units (20 sheets of 50 stamps or 40 sheets of 25) and 2.000 for the stamps of small size (20 sheets of 100). Imperforates (N.D.) are used for constituting the official collections and, those in excess, are distributed to the High State Officials and to the Postal Administration Officials; then they end with extreme rapidity on the philatelic market, likewise to what it happens for Deluxe Proofs (Deluxe Sheets). For Andorra, the 1955-58  series was neglected like Imperforate, except for the airmail, but they appeared again for the 1961 "new franc" definitives and airmail, although not for the revalued postage dues. All the Andorran stamps issued since then exist Imperforate, with the exception of booklet stamps.

The Andorran definitives continued to be issued Imperforate in normal sheet format  of 25 stamps, but from 1966 the majority of commemoratives are printed in sheets of 16: these sheets are made up of four blocks of four stamps; the blocks of four being separated by a stamp-sized gutter containing nine albino impressions of the stamp (fig. E26).

These large sheets are cut up into four blocks of four for distribution. Therefore it is always possible to designate any particular block of four to its original position in the large sheet (of 16 stamps), as the blocks are guillotined to show portions of the albino prints on two sides of the block. However, stamps not produced by the recess printing method (intaglio method, engraving method, taille douce), do not have the albino impressions. This curious method of production seems to exist for Andorran Imperforates only, and is not used to produce Imperforates for France or other Territories.

The Andorran Imperforates exist of all commemorative stamps and are on gummed paper. From 1962 to 1965 (Yvert 165/74), these were in normal sheets of 25 stamps; however, from 1966 (Yvert 175/6 onwards), these appeared in special presentation sheetlets of 4. There was an exception to this change of format, however, which concerned those stamps issued as triptycs (Yvert 224/5, 302/3, etc.) and the miniature sheet (Yvert 304). The former appeared in blocks comprising a pair of triptycs, and the latter as a simple imperforate miniature sheet. The margin of these presentation sheetlets that were recess printed may also show albino-part impressions of the stamp. This does not occur, of course, where the stamps are printed by photogravure (héliogravure) or offset litho. Althoug Color Trials (Trial Color Plate Proofs) are prepared for all modern Monaco engraved issues, few Monaco stamps exist Imperforate (in the final colors); these Imperforates bear the same seal seen on the gummed side of the Trial Color Plate Proofs (rubber stamp mark: it is mostly placed between two stamps or at the center of a block of four in order to cever at least a portion of each stamp); it reads: "Musee de Timbre Poste" "Palais de Monaco" (Postal Museum - Palace of Monaco) (fig. H39), (H40). Imperforates can be collected in different forms: single, single with margin, pair, block of four, full sheet.

Due to the method of distribution of French Proofs, it is understandable that a smaller number than distributed really appears on the philatelic market. High Government Officials may not be conscious of their value and sometimes they are given to friends or relatives, collectors and not-collectors, while some will even be lost or destroyed. Some Officials will not sell them for ethical reasons. Proofs are also kept in Official Archives and Museums.

© Giorgio Leccese