Need Help For Researching 1889 Sample. And Sample A. Stamps

Doing some research on the American Banknote Co. SAMPLE and SAMPLE A. stamps (SCOTT 212S K-191S K &212S L-191Sl). I realize that the SAMPLE A. stamps were the preferred colors for the proposed smaller stamps and that the SAMPLE. stamps were produced in colors for the regular sized stamps.

My question is why did the Postmaster General decide on abandoning the proposed colors from the SAMPLE stamps and employ most of the colors from the SAMPLE A. stamps when producing the 1890 new series of stamps (even though they did not produce the smaller version stamps). One of the sources that I used implied that there was a problem with the inks used in the SAMPLE stamps but did not elaborate. Anyone with more information?

Thanks in advance!

Hi Lapper,

Your question is highly specialized, so many of us cannot help you.

If you post some scans or pictures of the items that you want to discuss,
it may stimulate discussion and attract the attention some of our more specialized members.

You need access to the American Philatelic Congress yearbooks:
1990 Congress Book, #56
Bermuda Postmaster Stamps, U.S. Private Die Revenue Stamps, Color Sampling the Contract of 1890, Plating the 1896 Line Engraved Issues of Haiti, Edwin C. Madden's Influence on U.S. Philately, Four Issues of the Kingdom of Sardinia, Tapeworm Revenues, Chinese Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Romance of our Mails
I have two of the yearbooks, #48 and #56.... somewhere among the boxes of books, I'll dig it out, re-read that article and get back to you.
I think it had to do with the change from the older printing presses to the newer steam powered presses.

littleriverphil,

Thank you for the reply. I have the excellent article by Rev. Stephen Knapp on the COLOR SAMPLING THE CONTRACT OF 1890 from the 56th American Philatelic Congress. I obtained much of my information from this article. Knapp, at the end of this article, discusses a "second half of this study ....It will concentrate on the problems associated with the new stamps and the trial colors generated in the search for an adequate color scheme." To the best of my knowledge, the second half of his study was never published.
I guess I'll have to keep digging. Rereading the STRICTLY U.S. article by Jack Reinhart on this subject has given me a couple of new avenues to explore. I plan on contacting the APSRL this week in followup.

Once again,

Thanks