Scott # 219 Color Variation

The damaged stamp is almost a gray color is that common?

Possibly color faded/bleached?

Checked my Scott US Specialized. Found no mention of a grayish version of 219. The Trial Colors section mentioned a dull purple option. But your item looks gray.
Buckowy may have pointed out the mechanism for your stamp's odd color.

In my opinion the first inclination, especially for used stamps, should be color changeling unless there is solid documented evidence that different production runs with different inks were used.
Don

I have 1 almost identical to yours. Mine doesn't appear to be faded as it is on colored envelope.

mtnmn023 said:



Your stamp on cover appears to have had a bit too much sun. Neither appears fresh and bright in the photo you show.

I agree with 51studebaker that OP bobone's grey 219 is a color changeling, due to chemical exposure, either intentionally or unintentionally. While not as common on blue stamps as orange stamps turning brown, it could be an effect of oxidation or sulfurization. Here is an example I have of an ultramarine Navy official that has turned very dark blue almost black.

It is not as pure deep black as an Atlanta trial color proof, that was my first thought.