Stamp Color Identification

There are very few instances where a UV lamp would be useful for IDing inking varieties. For most of those few examples, there are usually better alternate ways. Also, you almost certainly have to use a filtered UV lamp rather than a full spectrum light -- the paper glow will often mask the ink glow and you will only get eye strain and a lot of frustration.

I don't recommend trying to use a UV lamp unless you already know those specific inking varieties that will photoluminesce at certain UV wavelengths. Again, these are a very very small fraction of the all the different color shades; some of these photoluminescent shades are known, but I rarely see any of them mentioned online.

I have the same problem IDing color shades. For people like me, comparative philately is the best way -- but that means I have to have several examples of the stamp before I can feel assured of the color shade identification.

I was hoping (in the future) to set up a comparative philately thread for color shades in the reference forums, in which I and other members can post side by side their properly IDed color shades. It really makes a difference once you see them side-by-side, despite the fact that our scanners/monitors may not reproduce the colors accurately.

Finally, remember that Stanley Gibbons color guide is designed for SG catalogs. When you compare color guides, you will immediately notice that different catalog makers define colors slightly differently.  You will also notice it when you compare your SG and Wonder color keys.  Sometimes when you compare listings, you will see different colors/shades listed for the same stamp. So when trying to differentiate between fine shades of color, always use the color guide designed for the catalog you are using.

That being said, the SG color guide is still somewhat useful even if you are using Scott catalogs -- just remember there will be some anomalies caused by different color definitions.  The production accuracy/consistency of the Wonder color gauge is really lousy (truly hit and miss).

k

khj and @krash, thanks for your advice. I was considering building a reference library of stamps from the same country and era when trying to identify color varieties but that will have to wait for awhile. It looks like identifying color varieties is much more daunting than looking for errors, freaks & oddities.
Mike

Too many factors involved in identifying fine color shades. Building a reference isn't that easy. Pigeon blood pink? What am I supposed to do? Shoot one off a statue/ledge? I'd never heard of pigeon blood pink until I dabbled a little in early US.

Steel blue? Cobalt blue I can understand. Is steel blue a steelish colored blue, or a bluish colored steel.

EFO's may not lessen the strain on the eyes, but at least reduces the strain on the brain.

If you do try to get a White Encyclopedia, make sure it has the complete set of color plates (that's where the money is at). There are plenty of editions lacking the color plates or missing a few pages. If the price is too low to be true, it's likely missing a few or all the color plates. Even if the price is high, ALWAYS verify that all the color plates are present.

k