Grilled gum

Grilled gum is a feature of Swiss stamps of the 1930s. It is a collectible variety.. In order to prevent curling of gummed sheets, a fine, regular overall grid pattern of tiny dents were put into the stamps. This would also cause the fine gum cracking that we see today on such stamps. This grill was strongly applied so that is visible on used stamps with clean backs. Holding the stamp at a low angle to a light will make the pattern more visible.

Grills can be seen much of the time from the face of the stamp by again holding the stamp at a low angle to a light, but you should examine a used back first so you know what to look for.

 File:Switzerland 50.jpg|The front of the used stamp. From this head-on view, we can't tell if there is a grill or not. File:Grilled gum A.jpg|The back of the used stamp. Contrast has been adjusted slightly. As always, click on image for a larger view. And yes, those are colored fibers telling us that this is on granite paper. File:Grilled gum B.jpg|Contrast even more heavily adjusted. 

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