US Scott #810 Color Question

I found the following plate in a lot of Presidential plates. It is a lower left Scott 810 with plate number 24563. What I don't understand is why the plate number is so much darker than the color of the stamp itself. I have placed the plate on top of another 810 eye plate which has a similar stamp color but a much lighter color on the plate plate number.

Looking forward to figuring out what is up with this item.

Bob

interesting! Maybe they had a little brayer of darker ink on hand just for that because it was too light to read? But then if that were true all the lighter colored ones would have it and it slow the works down huh? Good eye though!

If I understand what you mean by brayer ink, it would require a very precise hand to overink this plate number so perfectly. What is very strange about this block is that the shade of the stamps is a bit lighter than that of the other block, yet the plate number is MUCH darker. Was hoping that a Presidential series expert might step up and provide an answer. I guess in a way, I am bumping my own thread!

Bob

Probably was all that dark until they wiped the plate off of extra ink. They probably didn't take as much care to do so on the selvedge markings. Just a guess really?

That is as good a theory as any! However, if that was the case, why are the electric eye bars the same color as the stamps rather than the same color as the plate number?

Bob

bobplates: When I look at the darker plate number, I think I see a different color ink, not just more ink. It is difficult to tell with a scan and a computer monitor, but since you have the stamps, I wonder if by comparing the darker shading on the back of the coat collar to the plate number if you can tell if the image and the plate number are actually two different inks. If so, how did that happen??

I have examined many #810's. I have never seen this before. I am not a color expert but it looks to me like the plate number is a different color than the stamps. That makes no sense to me. When I get a better light I will take another photo.

Bob