Stamp Identification by Color???

msindc Color is a challenge, as it is both very subjective due (I think) largely because we do not all view the same color the same way. The names applied to the stamps often precedes most of us (despite most of us are "older"). The early catalogues were largely in black and white, and those that did have color, it is questionable as to whether the mixing of inks matched that of which the stamp was printed.

The colour keys..... are sometimes helpful, but often "close" is as good as it gets. I have compared color keys from different sources (SG and Michel) and over the years they change, and a color of the same name doesn't look the same...

Sometimes postmarks can be useful, if you can get dates as to when the various colors were first observed. Having said that, mint stamps are the most ideal, but unless you have selvedge with a coin date, or a gutter with 'vintage" it negates the argument of which came first.

Used stamps- how heavily canceled,? were they affixed to colored paper envelopes (color from the paper bleeds into the stamp during soaking)?, were they soaked using something other than water? were they exposed to sunlight?, how much dirt and grime is on the stamp? Are the sulphuretted? All of which can have an impact on what the color of the stamp looks like now.

When possible I have sought out mint stamps as references. A good light source  'equal to daylight' (pollution excluded) is a must. I use 10K LED array. Scanners..... can be helpful, but understand they do not all 'see' color the same, and not all monitors display the same, BUT! a scanner can be useful to see larger images side-by-side.

I would suggest that your used stamps get a bath. There are lengthy discussion on the forum about this. Not everyone agrees, and your results may vary.... but is IMHO a great help to remove as much dirt, grime, stains, and the effects of sulfur (from the days of coal being the only source for heat)

As with most listed color varieties, if you consult different reference/expert sources, you will find there is little consensus. And accept some stamps were purposely printed using methods such that the color or image would change if someone tried removing a cancellation, or re-using a stamp that missed the postal clerks stamp.

Accept there will be outliers. Use your best guesstimate, and be willing to go back and re-evaluate when you might receive another stamp to consider.

and welcome to the club!

capejack very familiar with the brixtonchrome website (and he's also a TSF member). maybe I need newer color keys I've taken color samples from 3 different printings of SG, and with very few exceptiosn colors of the same name vary from one to the next. I am looking at my 'newest" SG colour key (item 2530) and you mention blue-green and green-blue. This particular key has a blue-green, but there is no green-blue, although there is a greenish-blue.. and the colors are considerably different

There has to be a better way!

I was making pages for Memel - the Germania provisionals allowed for usage when France first took oversight, and one stamp has 5 color shades, but it's noted that they are difficult to determine, expertizing required.... but finding an 'expertizer" who happens to have examples of all 5 color shades (and then the question, who determined that)... and then I trust his eyes (?!?)

Color... I've fallen (into the rabbit hole) and I can't get up!

Color shades on a computer screen have left me so' so'

René