Opinions Requested For US Scott 1290A Vs 1290B

Is it fair to call the stamp in the center a 1290b? It's definitely a different color than the 1290 but I can't say for sure that it is the same color as the magenta Holmes examples. Thank you for any opinions.

My vote is "no", here's why ...

An article by Neyhart, Lera, and Chown in the November 2014 U.S. Specialist journal titled "Regulatory Ink Change and an Unrecognized Color Variety: The 25c Frederick Douglass Definitive" ...

The major point being a formula change in 1980 to eliminate heavy metals shows up to collectors as a change from "rose lake" to "deep magenta" (which is unlisted as of 2017). The 1290b is a different hue altogether.

I believe your single with the O'Neil is the original ink.
Your pair with the Blackwell is the 1980- formulation.

To my aging eyes, the center stamp does appear to be magenta rather than rose lake. But I cannot disagree with John Becker's analysis. If you look at 1290b candidates on the PF web site, you will find items certified as 1290b ... and items that are certified as 1290 that appear to be "almost magenta". I, for one, cannot distinguish between "magenta" and "almost magenta". The difference is just too subtle. If 1290b were more valuable, I would recommend that you try certifying it. But I would also wager that John is probably correct.

Thanks guys! I am going to subscribe to the U.S. Specialist so I can read that article. It looks like I'll learn more by searching its database than by searching the internet. When I searched the internet, the best information I found was a 2012 thread from SCF that had a post showing a "Magenta" color that looks just like mine.

I looked at the PF examples and now I need more Hendricks!!

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