VERY FINE TO EXTREMELY FINE. A SUPERB COLOR CHART OF THE IMPERFORATE 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE AND A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR ANY STUDENT OF THE ISSUE.
The 3c 1851 Issue comes in a tremendous range of shades and colors. Dr. W.F. Amonette superbly describes the progression of use and transition of colors in an article in the May 1973 issue of The Chronicle. However, an accurate color chart is essential for identification of the different varieties.
The color chart offered here is designed in the same format (by year) as the master color chart compiled by Dr. Carroll Chase, the leading student of the issue. The stamps in this chart were each physically matched to those on Dr. Chase's master chart.
3c Pale Orange Brown (10).
Position 68L1E, large even margins all around, fresh color similar to the
rare Yellowish Orange Brown, neat grid cancel, fresh and Extremely Fine,
and attractive stamp, accompanied by photocopy with notes from Dr. Amonette
(Image)
3c Reddish Orange Brown (10
var). Beautiful shade approaching Copperish, large margins to just
clear, neat town cancel, faint vertical crease, otherwise Very Fine,
accompanied by small photocopy signed by Dr. Amonette
(Image)
3c Orange Brown (10, 11).
Three stamps mounted on black card: Positions 36R2E, 75L2L and 90R2L, the
first an excellent example of Orange Brown No. 10 shade, the second No. 11
in an 1852 color very similar to the No. 10 shade and called "Plate 2 Late
Orange Brown", last is an 1852 Brownish Carmine (No. 11) for comparison,
each stamp has four margins, a Fine-Very Fine and interesting group, the
Plate 2 Late Orange Brown is a scarce shade used for a very short period
before the Brownish Carmine color was used, this group serves as an
excellent demonstration of the subtle differences and transitions of color,
signed Dr. Amonette (Image)
3c Orange Brown (10, 11).
Two stamps: first is Position 88L3, margins large to in, red cds and an
outstanding example of the rare Plate 3 Orange Brown, second is Position
49L0, margins large to just touched, neat cds, a Very Fine and interesting
study, the Plate 3 Orange Brown is a Scott No. 11 printed in a color very
closely resembling No. 10 and was produced for a very short time early in
1852, signed by Dr. Amonette (Image)
3c Orange Brown (11 var).
Position 40R5L, the so-called "1856 Orange Brown" shade, large margins to
just in, tied by large Boston "Paid" grid and red "Boston Mass. May 20" cds
on cover to St. Louis, trivial cover edgewear, Very Fine, scarce shade, a
small group of sheets was printed in 1856 in a color closely resembling the
Orange Brown shade of early 1852, these are considered scarce (Image)
3c Experimental Orange Brown
(11 var). Position 71L1L, brilliant color with a distinct Orange tint,
large margins all around incl. part of adjoining stamps on three sides,
blue Philadelphia cds, Extremely Fine Gem example of this scarce shade, in
an article in The Chronicle No. 78, May 1973, Dr. W.F. Amonette
notes that this shade appeared in early October 1851 shortly after Plate 1L
was put into use and is considered rare
(Image) 
3c Plum (11 var). Position
65L2L, beautiful rich distinctive Plum color, large margins to clear all
around incl. part of three adjoining stamps, neat strike of town datestamp,
faint vertical creaseEXTREMELY FINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE PLUM SHADE OF THE IMPERFORATE 3-CENT PRINTED IN 1857.
Chase states that the Plum shade was produced in early 1857, shortly before the introduction of perforated stamps. Chase compares the shade to an intermediate shade of Scott 280 of the 1894 Issue. Some students believe that no more than 50 examples are known.
Chase plating note on back. Accompanied by small signed photocopy from Dr. Amonette identifying this stamp as the Plum shade. We believe this shade to be undercatalogued in Scott (Image)
3c Yellowish Rose Red (11
var). Enormous margins all around incl. large parts of adjoining stamps
at top and bottom, light blue circular datestamps, fresh and Extremely Fine
example of this Scott unlisted shade, with 1999 P.F. certificate (Image)