Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
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05:43:55pm
Good luck, Dave.
The subject of colors has received a not insignificant amount of attention in the past couple of months. Search the board for "colors" and "shades" to locate these discussions. As for me, when colors are close together, I am lost. I have trouble enough telling black from white, let alone rose-carmine from carmine-rose. 
I long ago surrendered to the gods of shades and colors. If there is a small difference in value I just assume it is the lesser valued item. If there is a substantial difference, I send it in for a cert.
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Dave,
My approach is to try to obtain an unambiguous example of each color - perhaps a particular perf and watermark was only issued in ONE color - and use that as my standard for the issue. Sometimes you have to get a plate block (or plate single) to be sure what you have. The Durland Catalog comes in handy there. Once you have your own "standard" for each color, you should be able to separate most of the stamps. The ones that don't seem to fit any color definition? Follow Bobby's advice!
Lars
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Dave...I am going to second Lar's suggestion of finding a similarly colored stamp for color matching purposes. Make sure you use the same catalog (you can't do it using a color name from a Stanley Gibbons and comparing it to a Scott catalog color) as each uses it own name to describe colors. Also, it the closer to the time the stamps were issued helps to make it more uniform for comparison purposes. (compare and 1900 issue vs a 1920 issue rather than a 1950 issue, for example). If my memory serves me correctly, there is a book out there which has color plates for US Stamps but it can be expensive.
Mike in NC / meostamps
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I have that color book and it's not NEARLY as useful as an actual stamp. Dave wants to differentiate the D2 stamps. By checking the perf and watermarks, he should be able to narrow down what the stamps COULD be. (Don't assume they are correctly placed in the album!) J57 is always carmine lake. J35 is always deep claret. J35 is a bit tougher (for me, at least) because I can more easily say a stamp HAS a particular watermark than say FOR SURE it has no watermark at all.
Anyway, if you are able to identify what the possible colors are for each stamp based on denomination, perf and watermark, you should be able to narrow down each one by comapring it to the others. It's a bit like doing a crossword puzzle. Hope that makes SOME sense.
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Hi thanks to all of you for your help. Good ideas!
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02:02:32pm
Hello All, I have been trying to go through a collection I purchased. I have been miffed by the subtle color differences of the D2 stamps. We have vermillion, deep claret, rose carmen, carmine lake and etc, you get my point. Is there a good reference for colors? I have tried color charts and auction catalogs and none of them are very helpful. Even two vermillions next to each other don't even come close to looking alike in the catalogs. Any help out there? Thanks Dave
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They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
17 Jun 2013
05:43:55pm
re: Postage Due- Colors?
Good luck, Dave.
The subject of colors has received a not insignificant amount of attention in the past couple of months. Search the board for "colors" and "shades" to locate these discussions. As for me, when colors are close together, I am lost. I have trouble enough telling black from white, let alone rose-carmine from carmine-rose.
I long ago surrendered to the gods of shades and colors. If there is a small difference in value I just assume it is the lesser valued item. If there is a substantial difference, I send it in for a cert.
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Login to Like.
re: Postage Due- Colors?
Dave,
My approach is to try to obtain an unambiguous example of each color - perhaps a particular perf and watermark was only issued in ONE color - and use that as my standard for the issue. Sometimes you have to get a plate block (or plate single) to be sure what you have. The Durland Catalog comes in handy there. Once you have your own "standard" for each color, you should be able to separate most of the stamps. The ones that don't seem to fit any color definition? Follow Bobby's advice!
Lars
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this post
re: Postage Due- Colors?
Dave...I am going to second Lar's suggestion of finding a similarly colored stamp for color matching purposes. Make sure you use the same catalog (you can't do it using a color name from a Stanley Gibbons and comparing it to a Scott catalog color) as each uses it own name to describe colors. Also, it the closer to the time the stamps were issued helps to make it more uniform for comparison purposes. (compare and 1900 issue vs a 1920 issue rather than a 1950 issue, for example). If my memory serves me correctly, there is a book out there which has color plates for US Stamps but it can be expensive.
Mike in NC / meostamps
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re: Postage Due- Colors?
I have that color book and it's not NEARLY as useful as an actual stamp. Dave wants to differentiate the D2 stamps. By checking the perf and watermarks, he should be able to narrow down what the stamps COULD be. (Don't assume they are correctly placed in the album!) J57 is always carmine lake. J35 is always deep claret. J35 is a bit tougher (for me, at least) because I can more easily say a stamp HAS a particular watermark than say FOR SURE it has no watermark at all.
Anyway, if you are able to identify what the possible colors are for each stamp based on denomination, perf and watermark, you should be able to narrow down each one by comapring it to the others. It's a bit like doing a crossword puzzle. Hope that makes SOME sense.
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11:03:21am
re: Postage Due- Colors?
Hi thanks to all of you for your help. Good ideas!
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