(shortened form of "perforated initials" or "perforated insignia") a <#stamp> with privately produced <#perf=perforations> through its face. The perforations are generally in the form of initials or a symbol that identify the owner of the stamp. Perfins are produced by businesses or organizations to discourage theft or misuse of their stamps. Perfins were first made in 1908, and were most popular through the 1950s. See <#ctrlperfin=Control Perfin>.