Most of the descriptions follow the SG lists. In some  cases I have used an alternative where I think it is a better guide to the colour. In my view this is, after the denomination, the main distinguishing  feature of a stamp. It is the marvellous array of colours that makes a collection so attractive, and the way in which the type of colouring, and  attempts at allocation of standard colours over the years have had an impact,  which can make a collection intriguing.

There are two considerations for colour. The first is  the obvious one: when there is a deliberate change of colour for a particular value then that produces a new stamp. The second consideration is the criteria for including a variation in the shade of that colour. Many variations are the result of a different printing process, or a different printer, so those issues will be included for that reason. The only others I have included are those  stamps where quite distinct shades exist that can be detected in normal light and which I have found recorded by other reputable dealers (although no single  dealer that I have encountered has all of them).

Because I have no idea how many of any particular  shade of a particular stamp were issued the price I have indicated for shades is  usually the same as for that regarded as normal. There are some exceptions to this where I have concluded from my research that a certain shade is noticeably rare and my prices are consistent with other reputable dealers. There are also  instances where printers have confirmed that a particular shade has been  issued.

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