Finnish model 1930 definitives come with many imperforated issues, some of these were actually ment to be used, but were left imperforated by mistake and others were never meant to be used, but only used as ”show pieces”, from special sheets meant for the purpose. In any case the imperforated M30 definitives are a speciality with regards to the model in general. There were no imperforated stamps that were put to the market intentionally.
Above: Imperforated 50p green lion with glue. Order batch number 636 (2-1945).
The imperforated M30 definitives can be divided into two ”classes” simply depending on if the stamps have glue or not. If the imperforated stamp has glue it is supposedly from a ”normal” batch meant to be used, but from a sheet that was accidentally left imperforated and somehow was transferred to a post office to be sold to the public. There are four different imperforated M30 definitives, 50p green, 5mk violet, 5mk yellow, and 6mk red. These stamps with glue are such that can be regarded as ”genuine” imperforated M30 definitives. More about the issue in the book by Kauppi*.
Above: Imperforated 5mk violet with glue, with partial batch number. Order batch number 674 (10-1945)
Originally 200 pieces of imperforate 50p stamps and 5mk violet with glue are known to have existed (Kauppi and LaPe 2010), this means that there has been one printed sheet of each (2 ”normal” sheets, 2 pcs. of 10*10 sheets = 200pcs). As we can see from the picture above there can be only three numbered six-blocks of the 5mk violet in existence any more.
There have been 600 of the imperforated yellow 5mk lion definitives in circulation (three print sheets) and also 200 of the 6mk red. It is higly likely that most of these, as well as of the other imperforated M30 stamps have found their ways into the hands of philatelists, and only a small number has ever been used in posting items. This is why it is important to be very critical about any posted imperforated items and if their use has been philatelic or ”normal”.
Above: Imperforated 5mk yellow lion from sheet margin, with glue. Order batch 690 (12-1945). In addition, a picture of an certificate of authenticity from the Swedish Frimärkshuset AB:n given in 1959 .
The certificate of authenticity of the above 5mk imperforate stamp is in itself interesting that is, certificates of authenticity are interesting in general, because the details of these are not very well known among philatelists in general. One should do well to remember that the certificates must be recent, preferably under five years old. Also, a certificate of authenticity without a photograph / photocopy picture of the certified object are basically worth nil (see above).
Above: Imperforated 6mk red pair with glue, order batch 673 (10-1945).
Singular imperforated M30 definitives with glue are available on the markets quite frequently. The prices vary depending on the seller and start from 10 euro and up. It is important to notice that there are only a few numbered six-blocks available, so one should value these much higher. The stamps shown in this blog alone deduce two six-blocks from the number of possible in existence by two!
Above: Imperforate non-glued blocks-of-four from six different M30 denominations.
There are also non-glued imperforated M30 definitives out there: these are from so called ”exhibition sheets”. There are twelve different denominations of these in existence and on the markets (can be found theoretically). Ten lion type denominations and two with a picture motif (4mk postal building and 10mk view on the lake Saimaa). There have been considerable differences of opinion about if these non-glued imperforates can be considered to be philatelically important that is, if they belong in serious collections. If one is interested in this discussion there is more in Kauppi’s book. Hannu Kauppi (the foremost authority on M30 definitives in Finland) seems to think that the exhibition sheets from which these non-glued imperforated stamps come from are philatelic items and hence also belong to serious collections. It seems to be his position that these can be considered similarly as one would consider proofs.
There is one exception to the glued / non-glued rule, as far as I know there is one 50p/40p overprinted exhibition sheet that was glued, this may be because the overprints were printed on already glued imperforated sheets of 40p green stamp.
*Hannu Kauppi, Yleismerkit 1930, Oy Finlandia 88 Ab, Helsinki 2012