Deutsches Reich, Michel#200, Scott#213 Color

I have two DR Scott# 200, Deutesche Gewerbeschau München. One has been cancelled and the other one has not. The back of the uncancelled stamp is of a yellow/brownish color and the front appears to me darker then the cancelled stamp. I'd very much like to get the opinion of some members that are much more experienced in this matter. Thank you very much.

Michel lists two color varieties, and they're very difficult to differentiate. Doubly so when one's used and the mint one's gum has yellowed.

The "a" variety is black-bluish-violet to blackish-grey-violet. This is the most likely answer, as that's the far more common variety.

The "b" variety is shades of black-violet. This is less likely, as used copies catalog for €170 (as compared to €2.50 for the "a").

There's really no way to tell for sure without comparing them to an expertized exemplar.

I agree. There are so many variables such as: fading (whether through sun exposure or through storage in a medium which absorbs some of the colour) and yellowing, then there are slight differences in scanning colours. The gum (as postmaster has already mentioned) also affects the colour.

Thanks for posting the stamps, Hawkstamp. I love seeing these German stamps. They have a beauty all of their own.