Faux postage stamps

Shown here is an example of 'faux postage' or 'artistamps' which are produced by many artists around the world.

Known as "Cinderellas" in the philatelic world, FauxPostage.com reveals, "There are a variety of ways to produce perforations including using a dressmaker's wheel, special scissors that cut in a "wave" pattern and, of course, there is nothing wrong with producing stamps sans perfs by just cutting them straight. However, if you are lucky enough to have an old Rosback perforator, then you have the real thing....perfect, round perforations in gummed stock."

The Olathe Poste has an original, 1916 vintage Rosback pinhole perforator and will perforate your stamps - be they real or fake. You can also buy pre-perforated stock from their sister company WPC-NM Online.

The site says, "They carry 4 types of bright white artistamp papers in stock at all times for immediate delivery. All papers are dry-gummed, to produce a finished piece of art like it's supposed to be... miniature and meant to be licked."

For more on faux stamps and links to the people who make them, click here.