Scott 26 Color Changeling?

I have a question regarding the stamp in the center of the image below:





Half of it resembles the color of the stamp to the left. The other half resembles the color of the stamp to the right. If the center stamp is a color changeling in progress would the stamp to the left be considered a color changeling also?

Yes, your left stamp is also a changeling. Look at the color closely in the top bar particularly at the upper left.

Sorry, meant upper right of the left hand stamp.

Classic

Thank you. I see what you refer to in the upper corner of the stamp. Just a hint of what that stamp used to be remains... In your opinion is this color changeling likely the result of exposure to sunlight or oxidation? I'm assuming oxidation can't be abated. No basis for that assumption.

I have another question regarding two other classics:





The paper on the hinged example is different than the other example. I've looked in Scott and can not find reference to paper type. The paper is thicker on the hinged example. Would this be an indication of a forged stamp?

The short answer is--maybe, but the method of analysis you choose makes it indeterminate. Like colors should be compared to like colors.

I have not seen such a dark shade of 3-cent claret in Plate #20-and-on stamps (excepting brownish claret), nor do I see any stamps of the '59-61 plates/printings sulpherated to this degree.

Again, one must compare like to like colors. I would urge you not to mess with this stamp since it could be a rare color. A rare color such as garnet brown, even somewhat sulpherated, is still quite valuable. However, once the color is altered it becomes worthless.

No, this (imperforate, UL) stamp has peroxide rash (note the faded pen cancel).

I'm trying to make this plain to all who read this, if a stamp is a rare color and you mess with its appearance, it becomes worthless.

AJ

Thank you for your reply. As a novice in this hobby I am having trouble understanding your input. Looking at the five stamps posted I can not determine which one is Plate #20. Is there a reference book which shows the color varieties of this issue? Scott is limited on colors.

Here's another couple of stamps which are dark. Perhaps this is unrelated, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

Stampman

Love the biography that accompanies the cover. Sets a historic tone for the piece. Recently I purchased an item postmarked 10/31/1836 and was considering doing something similar.





This individual graduated from West Point Military Academy in 1819 1st in his class. Was involved in the construction of Forts Washington, Monroe, Macon, and Calhoun. He died in 1839 in line of duty.


Know this is off topic from OP.

Gettinold: David T. Beals III "Colors of the Three Cent 1857-61 Perforated Type II Stamps", Chronicle of USPCS, #81, Feb'74. 14

Basically, the stamps are lined-up in stock pages chronologically according to color. When first starting out it takes a large number of stamps (300-500) to create a reasonable color study (though only about 100-200 will be useful and the rest duplicates). Once you gain an eye of what to look for it's no longer necessary to buy stamps in bulk.

I'm fortunate in my new apartment there is a large west-facing window behind my desk and I can see and identify colors much better than ever. I had in the past used florescent lamps, but these are not nearly as good as natural light.

Below is a detail of '57-58 Brownish Claret. Various people use their own methods. Mine are organized in columns (top to bottom) deeper to paler, and in rows (left to right) darker to lighter. I use photo-blue pages so the colors reproduce accurately. Expert collections have every stamp plated, but I have little time for that level of detail.

Humans see colors as reflect light so defining ambient light is critical in any color discussion. Any discussion or color studies which do not highly define the ambient lighting conditions are pretty much useless.

Digital images used for color studies are also pretty much useless unless the image generating device is calibrated/defined and the viewing device is calibrated/defined.
Don

Hi Gettinold,
Just coming back to this and I see AJ Valente has provided some excellent information for you. Are you still vague about anything?

AJ - Nice arrangement of your 26's.