Ceylon Colour Variety

Hi all. I have a Ceylon, Scott #209 that definitely has the watermark #3 and Die I, the 50 cents black and scarlet (design Type A44). I also have 2 copies of the same stamp & same watermark & die that is 'brown' and scarlet and it is definitely no where near the black colour. Can anyone tell me if this stamp was indeed issued in these 2 different colours. What I am wondering is if any other catalogue publisher, other than Scott's, lists this variety?

Thank you.

Chimo

Bujutsu

There is no such listing in the Stanley Gibbons catalogue. I would guess the black was oxidized or affected by some other agent that discolored it.

The black colour also shows considerable variation even on fresh stamps, and is usually more obvious on mint ones. Sometimes it can approach brownish-black. Just natural variation in the ink.

Thanks again for your help everyone.

Have a great weekend.

Chimo

Bujutsu