Colors -- Hue/Shade/Tint [s.64/65 3cent Washington]

I recently got a cover with this stamp on it. It seems to me this is an unusual color for an S.65. I'll call it Brown Rose. Is this a recognized hue? Or is this just a very oxidized stamp? The cover does not appear faded. Two images, one of the cover, one of the stamp digitally removed i.e., the cover is still intact.

It could definitely be one of the rarer brown shades. I would definitely send this to the PF for a cert. I might ask the experts here if a gentle swab of peroxide is a good idea for this stamp. Check out Jan Hofmeyr's exhibit to learn a ton about this stamp, including shades. . .the link is to the frame (2 of 8) that discusses shades of his outstanding exhibit. . .https://d2jf3tgwe889fp.cloudfront.n...-Frame-2.pdf

That's an incredible exhibit, thanks for posting it Philazilla. Gives me a new appreciation for this issue.
As for the stamp in question, I'm certainly no expert, but I think I see a trace of rose or red in the upper scroll work. I'd say heavily oxidized.

I saw that exhibit in person and was in awe. . .I normally breeze through the exhibits with an occasional frame catching my eye. I spent more than an hour reading exhibit. And I'm glad I found it online!

My eyes/brain are also convincing me of red/rose in the top area, and speckled throughout. I vote for oxidized, though a very sharp impression.

Even if it is oxidized, it is an unusual shade. . .if were you, i'd swab it with peroxide to clear up any oxidation. . .but see what others here say. I have not used peroxide on this issue, but I collect stamps dangerously and would go for it.

I'm pretty confident that if treated with peroxide it would look much like gazillions of other 65's. Hate to be contrary but...

That really was an interesting and super well done exhibit. Thanks for linking that into this thread!

I noted that on pg 32 (16 of this .pdf, are there more pages?) he treats brown shades and has one labelled "Brown" that looks close. It is a very sharp impression probably the best I have (of maybe a hundred or so).

I probably won't use any peroxide. But thanks for the responses.

I am thinking of submitting for a cert.

Change the number in the URL to see the other frames.

Even more amazing. Who is this person??? That is an incredible amount of work for an exhibit. Where/when was this exhibit?
Eight .pdfs of the same size as the first one you linked!

This stamp is notorious for oxidation/sulphurization, listen to sinclair2010.
Don

I'm sure sinclair2010 is correct but I wouldn't touch it. Why take an interesting eye catching item and make it mundane?

Hi Ken,
Because the OP is being told it is a rare color and is considering spending money on a cert.

I agree that I would not mess with it but I also would not spend money on a cert.
Don

Don I agree 100% I would gladly mount it in my album as a curiosity. I don't collect US but I would stash it away as is just in case I ever collect US again.

I agree with this. Enjoy what you have as it is.

There are occasional cases, this being one, where environmental conditions over time actually make a mundane item more interesting.

I have collected (2) Dark brown stamps: one on cover and another off cover with the SF cog cancel. I took a picture of them together and one does look oxidized (its got heavy inking). While at it, I put a 94, 65(brownish red), and 64(certed) to give reference shades. The off-cover brown was sold to me by a dealer for $15 so I didn't think it was rare or valuable. It will be interesting to see what you find out if you have yours expertized.
Oh yeah- I really liked the link to the presentation.Thanks for that.