Scott 11A Plated 6r1l. Still Searching For Exp Ob

With the help of an image editor, this overlay of two above images emphasizes the misconception that the plum #11 color should look like the outside of a plum, when Chase actually compared it to the color of the inside of a plum:

The more I think about this, the more I think that Carroll Chase could have saved 1851-57 3-cent stamp color enthusiasts a century of anguish by naming this very scarce stamp color something better than plum!

Even with the nice amount of beautiful 1851-57 stamps I have, I don't hold much hope for a plum in my possession. Maybe some time I'll sit down in front of a window and have a closer look. My desk isn't near a natural light source.

Meanwhile I'm more hopeful of identifying an Exp OB. The added benefit of trying to identify an Exp OB, is it includes plating the stamps in question. That is time well spent.

For those not familiar, It's said that the Experimental Orange Brown color is only found on Plate 1L.

rohumpy, can you show a scan of this stamp? As stampcrow mentioned, experimental browns were only printed from plate 1L. If you go to the page below, and click on the "Top gouged out" link in the plate 1(L) row, you'll see what a plate 1-late stamp looks like in the top right corner (heavy inking from the plate being gouged out with a tool).

http://www.uspcs.org/stamps-covers/...2%a2-plates/

Classic coins I will try. My image of it was on my old computer which bit the dust a few years back. I will have to re scan the cover. May take a few days.

Perhaps Chase was referring to the Red plum...




I agree that colors are extremely frustrating; but it is hard to ignore their importance. I know of no way to standardize on them, they are too ephemeral. Even if we understood that a stamp had been kept in a completely inert environment for decades the ink/paper chemistry still changes over time. The leads contained in the ink react with the atmosphere and this results in the generation of metallic sulfides. These sulfides darken the colors we see today.
Don

@ stampcrow, just FYI. Not in good shape, but plated.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/11A-3-Cent-...AOSwAuZX1coR

Thanks rwoodennickel.
That one probably isn't a good reference piece. I don't mind the clipped corner and crease, but the faded color doesn't is a problem.

For me, the fading would be more of a concern than the faults, on the ebay lot, for an important color reference piece.

Ugh...I should proof read my posts. It should read "but the faded color is a problem."
sorry

After my reply, a light bulb went on, and I figured that's what you meant.

I've stared at approximately 30% of my 1851-57 collection. I found maybe 5 exp. OB suspects. Not very hopeful for any of them. But I was able to plate a few stamp due to this snipe hunt. That's a bonus.

Anyway, thought I would post a scan of some suspects.
The stamp third from the left is a known experimental orange brown on a cover.
I would eliminate, immediately, the stamp with the pen cancel.



Edit: I should also note, I may have found a 'plum' candidate...

I would say those are all 1853-54 printings. You should have shown the plum first!

First image is a scan. Brownish Claret on the left, Deep Claret on the right.
Second image is a picture. Same lineup.

I don't think you have a plum there. It really needs to be close to the stamp that I posted or the one that cc posted.

Trying to show color with my equipment, is futile and frustrating.