I have a large collection of early Spanish Puerto Rico. I noticed that several are not numbered in my album, which is something I always try to do. Otherwise how do I know which ones are missing? I checked Scott's and started noticing a trend. Say I have a stamp with no number and there are a few different colour choices, which is the main difference in this country, except for the occasional design retouch. I check the colours and my stamp seems to be different from any of the choices given - probably why the number is missing! It could be oxidation or fading or maybe some colour choices are missing. Has anyone else who collects this area noticed this problem? I don't remember having this problem with the Spanish Cuba era. The other area that uses these stamps is Spain and I don't collect early Spain. Can anyone help?

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re: Colours for early Puerto Rico

Thanks Carol, it helps somewhat, and it's always great to look at that web site - he does such an amazing job!! My problem is that I have colours that don't seem to match the given choices, I'm wondering if anyone else has had that problem. Almost all the stamps are easy to identify since there are no perfs or watermarks to worry about. It's just the damned colour shades - some of them just don't seem to exist, I have a few that are not really close to the choices given. I just am curious if anyone else trying to use Scott's has had the same problem. I have a very good colour guide, but even that can discolour over time. I really think we should replace our colour guides every 5 years or so.

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re: Colours for early Puerto Rico

Carol, I think you're right! I've spent a few hours checking numbers and realize that the colours vary quite a bit, a yellow green for one stamp is not the same as a yellow green for another stamp. All you can really do is your best, colours change according to where the stamp spent most of its life. I've collected for many years and my guess is as good as anyone else's guess. The stamp that was really messing with my head is, I believe some kind of odd revenue stamp - the postmark is exactly where it shouldn't be, always seems to happen. Thanks for your help, I think I have almost all of them properly done, and the rest...I did my best!

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