Philosateleia
Kevin Blackston
PO Box 217
Floresville TX 78114-0217
United States of America

Rosback tabletop perforator for sale

Update: this machine has been sold. Thank you for your interest!

When I started seriously searching for a pinhole perforating machine back in early 2014, I had no idea whether or not I would ever actually get to own one. Late that year, however, I did have the opportunity to purchase a Franklin tabletop perforator.

Since that time, I’ve been able to purchase two other perforating machines: a Southworth tabletop perforator, which I use to perforate my Philosateleian Post local post stamps, and a recently acquired Rosback tabletop perforator. I’m now offering the Rosback for sale!

About the machine

In addition to its better known treadle-operated models, Rosback produced several different tabletop perforators. This lovely piece of machinery with its utilitarian military green paint is neither the oldest nor the newest of those tabletop machines, but somewhere in the middle, probably dating to the 1930s.

Rosback tabletop perforator
Rosback tabletop perforator

As is often the case with these old machines, this one has some cosmetic wear. For example, the alignment guide that was originally bolted on to the front of the wooden table has been removed. In addition, the bolt that secures the handle to the perforator apparently broke at some point, and a previous owner drilled a hole through the handle and the shaft to which it attaches, securing the handle with a replacement bolt and square nut not original to the machine. From what the owner of another one of these perforators has told me, I get the idea that this is probably actually an improvement over the original design, as it’s impossible for the handle to slip on the shaft when the machine is being operated.

Rosback tabletop perforator logo
Rosback tabletop perforator logo
Rosback tabletop perforator handle with bolt
Rosback tabletop perforator handle with bolt

Despite these minor wear and tear notes, the perforator works flawlessly. It has all of its pins, which are nice and sharp—not worn out—and that means you can punch a 10-inch long line of nice, crisp holes. As a bonus, the perforator still has its original wooden table; that’s something a lot of perforating machines (including the Franklin I originally purchased) have lost along the way. In addition, the rear of the table has an adjustable guide that can be used to align the paper you’re perforating.

Rosback tabletop perforator pins
Rosback tabletop perforator pins
Rosback tabletop perforator adjustable guide
Rosback tabletop perforator adjustable guide
Paper perforated by Rosback tabletop perforator
Paper perforated by Rosback tabletop perforator

My price

So, how much am I asking for this beautiful item? It can be yours for just $500 plus shipping (unless you make a trip to San Antonio to pick it up). If you come to San Antonio, or if I ship to a Texas address, I also have to collect 8.25% sales tax since various state and local government entities want their piece of the pie, too.

The perforator weighs somewhere around 65 pounds. I’ll ship the perforator itself and the wooden table in separate packages to help make them as manageable as possible.

If you’re interested, please contact me right away; include your address so I can provide an estimate of the shipping cost, and let me know how you plan to use the machine. I look forward to getting it into a good home!

Published 2017-09-19 Last updated 2017-10-03

Comments

pegasus6464 (2020-03-06 11:11):

im looking for a pinhole perforator stamp on sale

Kevin Blackston (2020-03-11 20:02):

I don’t currently have any spares for sale, but I’ll be sure to post here on my blog if I acquire an extra in the future.

perf guy (2021-02-22 23:47):

Kevin, I have a full-sized Southworth for sale if your commenter is still actively looking.

Kevin Blackston (2021-02-24 22:39):

If you’ll be kind enough to use the contact form to send me details, I’ll certainly be happy to pass that information along!

SFC (2021-03-28 12:01):

We have a Rosbback tabletop perforator and would sell cheap. Looks like the one above. Do you know anyone interested?

Kevin Blackston (2021-04-06 21:26):

I would be interested! Please use my contact form linked at the bottom of this page to send more information my way.

Manwithstamps (2021-04-29 19:34):

Hi

i would very much be interested in a tabletop perforator if someone had one. I started to design a small one so i could make some photography stamps but don't have access to the shop these days. please send me info gee_marc@hotmail.com. thanks and stay safe all. -marc gee

Kevin Blackston (2021-04-29 22:09):

These things are hard to come by, but if I run across one that needs a home I’ll be sure to post here.

Freddy (2023-12-20 10:14):

I have a Rosback table top perf machine for sale. I live in Ohio. Thanks

Kevin Blackston (2023-12-24 21:05):

If you want to send some details using the contact form linked at the bottom of the website, I’d be interested in knowing more.

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