Opinions Sought For KGV Falkland Islands Color

Apologies in advance to anyone who has seen this elsewhere. I'd like an opinion on color for this 5-shilling Falkland Islands definitive.



Stanley Gibbons gives us three choices:
Deep rose-red (1912)
Reddish maroon (1914)
Maroon (1916)

I feel pretty good about my initial feeling that it is deep rose-red, as I don't see enough "purple" to get into the maroons. However, I've received four opinions, two in person and two online, and right now, it is running Reddish maroon 3, Deep rose-red 1 (not including me).

I know the issues with scans and monitors, but don't be shy. Thoughts?

CJD: I'm with you in guessing that it's rose-red. I also do not see enough of a purple tinge; or brown tinge; "sneaking in" to say different. The only items giving me pause are the solid color fields surrounding the 5/- value figures, which may have a faint tinge.

I'd guess the only way to fully resolve is to get a certificate from an authentication group like APS or the Philatelic Foundation.

Of course, different monitors can give different effects, and I'd always assume the cheapest shade when in doubt. However, I don't think this is the deep rose-red. I think you've hit the jackpot, and it's the reddish maroon - unless it has the reversed watermark, of course ...

Cjd: women will tell you that it's hard to get men to commit, especially when it comes to colour. The differences between colours and years issued between catalogue publishers always amazes me. This doesn't help you but I'm thankful my old 1975 Scott catalogue only gives me two choices for their KG5 A8 design. They are "brown red" for their 1912 Falkland Islands Scott#37 and "plum" for their 1914 Falkland Islands Scott#38. Of course for me ignorance may be bliss not knowing if Scott changed their designations in later editions.

Thanks to each of you for the thoughts.

The seller was using Scott, so it came to me as Sc#37. If I didn't have any additional information, I'd be perfectly happy to tuck it away as that and call it a day.

If I can get to Chicagopex this weekend, I'll bring it along and see if a dealer or two might hazard a guess (or maybe have all three on hand).

I've got my fingers crossed that you're right, tonymacg. Since I'm not parting with it, I have no pressing need to send it off for confirmation, but I'd still like to have some degree of confidence that I know what I have.

Any other opinions are gratefully accepted...