Standards of Color Measurement

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Read about Standards of Color Measurement in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Standards of Color Measurement. There is no universally acknowledged standard of color measurement, nor any international agreement between physicists and artists as to the constituents of such a standard; consequently, those who wish to abide by some reliable system of color pitch and nomenclature are at liberty to choose between the publications of experts upon this subject without regard for professional or industrial limitations.CH

A standard of color exclusively useful in horticulture would be an absurdity, inasmuch as a standard would fail to be as far-reaching as the word implies if it did not meet the requirements of all classes of art, science, and industry. There is nothing logical in one normal red named one way for the horticulturist and another named differently for someone else. In the musical profession tone has been standardized by what is known as International Pitch at middle C of the pianoforte. All musical instruments throughout the world are commonly tuned to that pitch; it is an absolute standard. But as yet, the exact pitch of what is called normal red color is not standardized, and as a consequence the whole chromatic scale which by deduction and mathematical measurement should fall into line by the establishment of this one normal hue remains unfixed and is somewhat of a bone of contention between color experts.CH

A circle divided into the scientifically significant 360°, each one of which represents a distinct hue of the chromatic scale in tangible pigment, is by no means impossible though it is difficult of accomplishment. The writer successfully completed such a scale and finds it remarkably true to the scientific theory of color balance. At the present time, however, there is no mechanical process capable of reproducing such an exact scale with the fidelity it demands.CH

A diagrammatic representation of the color circle will be found on page 832, Vol. II, of this Cyclopedia, and the following table (Fig. 3675) indicates exactly the positions occupied in that circle of certain hues contained in the standards of authors mentioned below. A diligent comparison of the figures will demonstrate the lack of agreement among authorities.CH

Those independent standards of color which are accessible and have proved valuable as practical guides are the following: The extensive and admirable French work entitled, "Repertoire de Couleurs pour aider a la determination des couleurs des Fleurs, des Feuillages et des Fruits, publie par la Societe Francaise des Chrysanthemistes et Rene Oberthur avec la collaboration principale de Henri Dauthenay," (etc.), Librairie Horticole, 84 bis Rue de Grenelle, Paris, 1905. "The Prang Standard of Color," Louis Prang, Boston, 1898, now out of print. The concise and reliable guide entitled "Elementary Color," and the invaluable and popular Bradley Educational Colored Papers, Milton Bradley Co., Springfield, Massachusetts, 1915. The extensive and portable "Ridgway Color Standard and Nomenclature," Robert Ridgway, Washington, D. C., 1912. "The Mathews Chart of Correct Flower Colors" with text, F. Schuyler Mathews, published in the American Florist for August 17, 1895, Chicago. The interesting work entitled “Color Problems," a practical guide for the lay student of color, Emily N. Vanderpoel, Longmans, Green & Co., London and New York, 1902. See also the article on Color in Flowers, page 830, Vol. II, of this Cyclopedia, and for the theoretic basis of spectral color measurement, the article entitled "The World Beyond our Senses," by Carl Snyder, Harper's Magazine for June, 1903.CH

A Table of Comparitive Colors based upon Mathematical intervals of 360° of the Chromatic Circle.CH

Normal Degrees       Repertoire     Milton           Robert          Louis        F.Schuyler   Emily N.
Hues                 de Couleurs    Bradley          Ridgway         Prang        Mathews      Vanderpoel
Yellow    1             5 dull        1 pale            1 pale         1 pale        1 pale       1 light
Orange    60           60 bright     60 slightly light 60 trifle dull 45 bright     50 dull      50 bright
Scarlet   80           90 bright     75 slightly light 80 clear       90 bright     90 brilliant  -
Red       120         120 bright    110 very intense  122 bright     115 bright    120 bright   115 light
Crimson   130         130 brilliant   -                 -            130 dull pale 130 light      -
Magenta   140         140 bright    150 pale          140 brilliant  150 dull pale 140 dull pale  -
Purple    160         165 dull      170 pale          158 bright     160 dull pale 160 pale       -
Violet    180         170 dull      180 dull pale     185 bright     175 dull pale 180 pale     185 light
Ultram’   220         230 grayish    -                220 lightish   220 dull pale   -            -
Blue      240         245 clear     230 brilliant     240 trifle dull 245 bright   250 light    245 pale
Green     300         300 dull      310 bright        305 clear      310 bright      -          305 light


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