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All Forums Category: World Stamps and Covers Discussions Forum: World Classic Stamps Mint and Used

Germany Michel #110 Color

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Author

Replies: 11 / Views: 246

Valued Member

United States

127 Posts

Posted Yesterday 3:40 pm

I received another ebay purchase and found this strange-looking stamp in it. So far, I haven't been able to find any explanation for this unusual color.

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Bedrock Of The Community

12700 Posts

Posted Yesterday 4:44 pm

It is badly faded (damaged).

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Valued Member

United States

72 Posts

Posted Yesterday 4:50 pm

Why is it grey?

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Valued Member

United States

127 Posts

Posted Yesterday 5:24 pm

rogdcam - So, are you saying that the purple ink somehow completely faded, while the red ink in the center was completely unaffected?

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Bedrock Of The Community

12700 Posts

Posted Yesterday 8:06 pm

Yes, different colors can degrade differently and violets are notorious for being affected by environmental conditions.

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Pillar Of The Community

Canada

2028 Posts

Posted Yesterday 8:27 pm

I know nothing of these stamps, quick look.
The 1 in 1919.
the A in national.
Couple other spots, could be normal for these?

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Pillar Of The Community

United States

1025 Posts

Posted Yesterday 10:25 pm

It looks to me like the gray version has been chemically altered, not just UV damage to the pigments.

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Valued Member

United States

127 Posts

Posted Today 3 Hrs 5 Min ago

I also think that the gray color is too uniform, and it seems unlikely that it is simply the result of UV exposure. On the other hand, how would it be possible to discolor only a specific area of the stamp's surface without affecting the surrounding areas?

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Valued Member

United Kingdom

362 Posts

Posted Today 1 Hr 32 Min ago

Aniline purple degrades to dull gray under UV.

This is a dress dyed with Perkin's mauve (aniline purple) in the 1860s (source Science Museum, London) which has faded to grey.

That's assuming the ink's mauve. It appears that other purple and violet dyes also degrade, in bleach or in alkaline solutions, so maybe the stamp was washed in something.

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Valued Member

Learn More...

United Kingdom

224 Posts

Posted Today 1 Hr 28 Min ago

It could be prolonged exposure to sunlight or brief exposure to detergent.

It's hard to tell on a screen, but I think the centre is affected too. The "grey" stamp has less orange in it.

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Valued Member

United States

127 Posts

Posted Today 51 Min ago

I don't think the orange color has been affected at all. In the image, the orange color from two stamps is shown side by side (the normal stamp is on the left).

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Bedrock Of The Community

12700 Posts

Posted Today 12 Min ago

Quote:
On the other hand, how would it be possible to discolor only a specific area of the stamp's surface without affecting the surrounding areas?

Because, as I already said, the inks are composed of different materials. Violet is different than green is different from red is different from orange.....

You seem determined to have someone else validate what you want to hear rather than an actual real answer. Do you think it is an error? Is this where you are going? It's not an error with an associated premium price. It's a damaged stamp.

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Replies: 11 / Views: 246

All Forums Category: World Stamps and Covers Discussions Forum: World Classic Stamps Mint and Used

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