Never Seen Before 3cent Canadian Small Queen ??

This one sorta shocked me and I looked at the image a few times thinking it was a 5cent small queen but had to do a double take. Never seen nor heard of a 3cent grey and I've considered bleach or sunlight but theres no way this was at anytime orange or a shade there of. Not sure about proofs but this is postally used so unless someone just didn't no anybetter and stuck a proof on cover I'm stumped. Not in my hands yet but I had to buy it.

Are you sure the scan is in colour Nitro?...Looks like a B&W scan to me...

Could be the scan. Remember my 1908 blue tercentenary?

Reputable seller described as "#37 3 cent possible faded to gray unable to find this variety or any info on the stamp same color as 5 cent". Guy also has well over 100 other canadian stamps listed plus just sold the high dollar jubilees so I'm sure it wasn't a B&W scan. We'll see when it arrives but judging by all the other pics this guy has it seems to be exatly what it looks like. Short of totally switching scan to B&W I can't see the chances of this starting out in any shade of a normal 3 cent is pretty well 0. I'll keep everyone posted.

Hi Nitro

Since this stamp was printed in orange and shades thereof, there is a very srong possibility that this stamp has been totally 'oxidized'(??)

This is usually due to the inks used and, reds, oranges and yellows seem to go faster than most other colours.

As you stated yourself, if it was a Proof, then it certainly would not have been used. This, plus the fact that most of the Canadian 'proof' stamps would be on thicker stock paper than the ordinary stamps.

Chimo

Bujutsu

I'm leaning in the same direction with oxidization and I know those color inks were very bad but I still am curious as to the clarity and if oxidized or chemically bleached out would there still remain the dark almost black remnants. Once its in hand I'll do some better pics and maybe give her a peroxide bath before I start hounding BNAPS . Also note the back of the stamp is clean and sound . Be really interesting if perf 12.5

Hi Nitro

I have examples in my collection that are changed entirely on the whole stamp design. Some show up as black and others as a dark blackish-brown.

Hope this helps

Chimo

Bujutsu

Fascinating. Would love to have one myself! Didnt know they could go to grey/black. Does this happen often?
How would this dramatic change be acheieved? Just sit it out in sun/air unprotected for a long period of time? Perhaps I'm asking a crazy question, but it would be a neat experiment if you have several to "play" with...thoughts?

I was wondering the same thing. I'm sure it would be frowned upon unless for your own collection, like purposely tonning a silver dollar is considered a no no. Assuming the main cause for the oxidation is good ole oxygen acting upon metal pigmants in the ink . I would think it must take a long time exposed to cause the transformation and if you were to experiment I would say a heavily inked deeper orange copy would give best results however I could be way off on that assumption. I know hydrogen peroxide generaly will clean up the browning and toning but not sure what help it would do to a copy gone to the extreme of blackness.
The other difficult thing is the higher catalog for the indian red/ copper colors of this issue which are very tough to discern with minimal oxidation. Guess someone at BNAPS has probably devoted years to studying just this stamp alone.

If it is as pictured when it arrives please do a before scan for historical reference before any baths.

The picture does seem to be a B&W scan or photo but it is also different that shades of grey of the 5c stamps. Kind of washed out it seems, and a bit too whitish but that may be the poor scan quality also.

Chemical alteration experiments to change colour to a more expensive one? I play devils advocate with that suggestion.

I certainly won't play with it before doing some very high res scans just to see what may be hiding. I agree it has a washed look but being almost same color as cancel makes me scratch my head a bit. First I've seen 4 sale but I'm certainly not ruling out someone may be playing to enhance value. All in all at $14 I can live with it regardless.
It may be an interesting experiment to try and obtain the same results on a typical 3 cent orange but only for personal not resale as that would be opening a can of worms. Then I suppose the people that have figured out washing cancels certainly don't look at things the same way.

If the idea of the experimentation were in the hands and mind of a crook, I can now understand the concern. I can also assure you this is not the case. I wasn't aware this would up the price of the piece. Wouldnt this be considered damaged? and not priced like and EFO of some sort? I find this very interesting...I think I'm gonna go put one in a safe place for a few years and see what happens regardless. ~Ash
Sorry if I put the idea in any dishonest hands.

Ash, I don't think that oxidization (sulphur really, not oxygen on these stamps) is the cause of the increase in price. The nice looking aspect of the photo of the stamp makes that concern secondary. It is being treated as if it was an actual different colour of a 3c stamp, not as if it was changed artificially or chemically with nefarious intent. At least I hope that is the reason.

I have seen the 3c small Queens sold as part of a group while being oxidized (unknowingly) or as separate stamps rarely as a different shade than what they would be if de-oxidized, this being done with the idea of making money.

It is alright to buy such like this as long as you are aware that the possible stamp hiding beneath the oxidization could be an ordinary one.

I am not experienced enough with them all, especially the 5c greys, to be a judge of anything at this time, but just am curious as to what this might actually be.

There has been chemical altering going on for many years (search on SCF for other threads about this) and it is up to the collector to be aware of this possibility.

Well, I think it just honestly looks lovely. but thank you for the input Puzzler! I would definitly want one to put on my 3 cent page, just for fun. No harm intended, and most certainly not to sell. Who knows if it will even happen. Hence "experimentation" ;) Please keep us posted on your findings Nitro! Nice stamp :) ~Ash

Well Stamp arrived today and there are slight hints of the original color but not by much at all. Here is scan 1200x1200 . Its perf 12x12 . Still an oddity in my eyes even if just extremely oxidized .Now wondering wether a peroxide bath to see what happens or leave as is.

Leave it as is!! Just to have. I would...just sayin'
Awesome stamp! ~Ash