Orange Brown (#10)
Approximate Period of Distribution: Jul – Dec 1851
Printed from Plates: 0, 1e, 1i, 2e, and 5e
Remarks: Identifying the plate the stamp was printed from is the surest way to separate #10s from #11s. However, the orange brown color is very distinct on it’s own. Impressions are usually clear and rich because the plates were new, and the ink was of superior consistency. Poor to good impressions are the exception, and are due to over-inking, or inconsistent transfer of the ink to the paper due to the paper being too wet or dry. Plate wear occurs only in the slightest degree on #10s. Plate wear is first evident in the fine lines in the hair on the top of Washington’s head and around the button on the shoulder, then in the corner triangles. The 1851 orange browns were all but used up by the end of April 1852. Usages in May 1852 or later are very scarce, so dated examples from this period advertised as #10s should be closely scrutinized. See the page on identifying #10s for more in-depth information.
Experimental Orange Brown (#11)
Approximate Period of Distribution: Oct – Nov 1851
Printed from Plate: 1L
Remarks: The experimental orange brown only comes from plate 1L. Although it is close to the standard (#10) orange brown color, it generally is brighter and less brown. Also, the ink consistency was not quite as good, so impressions frequently appear “waxy.”
Yellow Brown (#11)
Approximate Periods of Distribution: 1852 and 1857
Printed from Plates: 1L, 2L, and 3 (1852), 2L, 3, 4, 5L, 6, 7, 8 (1857)
Remarks: The 1852 yellow browns are very distinctly brown. They may be identified by plate 1L impressions or early plate 2L or 3 impressions. The 1857 yellow browns almost always are contaminated with other pigments, especially claret, so they are very scarce in a “pure” shade.
Brownish Carmine (#11)
Approximate Periods of Distribution: Nov 1851 – Nov 1852, Jul 1856 – Dec 1856, Jul 1857 – Dec 1857
Printed from Plates: 1L, 2L, and 3 (1851 – 1852), 2L, 3, 4, 5L, 6, 7, 8 (1856 – 1857)
Remarks: Frequently mistaken for orange brown (#10) because of its rich, brownish color. However, the presence of red and the lack of orange are keys to identifying this color properly. Although the brownish carmine carries a catalog value premium, it is more common than the dull red shade
Claret (#11)
Approximate Periods of Distribution: Nov 1851 – Dec 1852, Oct 1856 – Jun 1857
Printed from Plates: 1L, 2L, and 3 (1851 – 1852), 2L, 3, 4, 5L, 6, 7, 8 (1856 – 1857)
Remarks: The 1851-52 clarets were printed in two distinct shades. Nearly all the printings were of the deeper shade (shown here), and the very early printings have a hint of brownish-carmine pigment mixed in. In December 1852, a much paler claret color appeared for a very short time. The “late” 1852 claret have a pale, rose lake color that probably resulted from too much oil being used in the ink.
Late 1852 Claret (#11)
Approximate Period of Distribution: Dec 1852
Printed from Plates: 1L, 2L, and 3
Remarks: The 1851-52 clarets were printed in two distinct shades. Nearly all the printings were of the deeper shade. In December 1852, a much paler claret color appeared for a very short time. The “late” 1852 claret (shown here) has a pale, rose lake color that probably resulted from too much oil being used in the ink
Dull Red (#11)
Approximate Period of Distribution: Oct 1852 – Dec 1853
Printed from Plates: 1L, 2L, and 3
Remarks: Very early impressions are clear and sharp. However, the great majorities of dull red impressions are paler and show signs of plate wear, especially in the Washington bust and in the corner triangles. Although dull red is usually thought to be the most common #11 color, it is less common than rose red, orange red, and brownish carmine. In fact, finding good dull red color samples can be challenging.
Rose Red (#11)
Approximate Period of Distribution: Mar 1853 – Jan 1855
Printed from Plates: 1L, 2L, and 3
Remarks: The rose red ink was the poorest quality ink of all those used on the issue. Therefore, impressions of this color are notoriously fair to poor, with a “muddy” appearance. This normally shows up in scans as light spots in the dark region surrounding the Washington bust, and in the upper label block. The poor impressions are a key to distinguishing this color from the closely related dull red and yellowish rose red. Plate identification is also very helpful, since no yellowish rose reds were printed from plates 1L, 2L, or 3.
Rose Red/Bright (#11)
Approximate Period of Distribution: Mar 1853 – Jan 1855
Printed from Plates: 1L, 2L, and 3
Remarks: The bright rose red color is a brighter variation of the rose red shade with less red. As with the rose reds, impressions of this color are notoriously fair to poor, with a “muddy” appearance.
Orange Red (#11)
Approximate Period of Distribution: Dec 1854 – Jan 1856
Printed from Plates: 1L, 2L, 3, 4, and 5L
Remarks: Impressions are generally poor, mostly due to ink quality, but also due to dirty and wearing plates. The example shown is more orange and less red than typical examples. This color frequently is misidentified as orange brown (#10), but can easily be identified with a basic knowledge of plate and printing characteristics.
Yellowish Rose Red/Pale and Yellowish (#11)
Approximate Period of Distribution: Nov 1855 – Jan 1856
Printed from Plates: 4, 5L, 6, 7, and 8
Remarks: This color, which I see as a deep salmon rose, is very distinct and attractive. Its appearance marked a return of high-quality printings due to greatly improved ink consistency after years of poor ink quality.
Yellowish Rose Red/Medium and Deep (#11)
Approximate Period of Distribution: Nov 1855 – Jan 1856
Printed from Plates: 4, 5L, 6, 7, and 8
Remarks: This is another very distinct and attractive color which, as the name implies, is a deeper variation of the yellowish rose red/pale and yellowish. This variety appears to have more of a lake color to it. The printing quality was about as good as the pale and yellowish variety.
Rose Brown (#11)
Approximate Period of Distribution: Late 1856 through 1857
Printed from Plates: 2L, 3, 4, 5L, 6, 7, and 8
Remarks: This is a brownish variation of the rose red color that can be distinguished partly from its smoother impression. Beginning around late 1856, decreasing quality control of the ink mixing process led to very gradual and widespread variations in the colors of stamps produced. Therefore, rose brown examples are frequently seen with contamination from other pigments, and are difficult to find in a pure state
Claret/Deep (#11)
Approximate Period of Distribution: 1857
Printed from Plates: 2L, 3, 4, 5L, 6, 7, and 8
Remarks: A dark and impressive shade of claret. This is one of the colors most often mistaken for plum because of its deep, purplish color.
Claret/Purplish (#11)
Approximate Period of Distribution: 1857
Printed from Plates: 2L, 3, 4, 5L, 6, 7, and 8
Remarks: This is a purplish variation of the 1857 claret color. It can be distinguished by its pinkish look. Impressions are very good.
Plum (#11)
Approximate Period of Distribution: 1857
Printed from Plates: 2L, 3, and 4
Remarks: The true plum color, as Carroll Chase saw it, is a deep brown with a hint of claret. Some of the 1857 brownish clarets come very close to the plum color. Impressions are generally good, but not quite as crisp as the brownish claret impressions.
