Munsell color charts are xpensive.  The last I checked from Baltimore, MD,
the Munsell Company wanted $800 for the glossy version and $500 for the mat
version.  How does an individual or small institution achieve reliable color
classification for say 19th century ceramics?  Is a color classification
needed for measuring the hues and chroma of ceramic decoration?  In other
words, why waste time measuring color intensity if we are not sure what it
achieves.
 
However, for those who love to categorize, analyze and minutiaize objects
into their smallest and most elemental attributes (like myself) may I
recommend the Kobayashi Color Image Scale.  The scale consists of 120
chromatic colors and 10 achromatic colors arranged by tone (vertical axis)
and hue (horizontal axis).  Each color is represented by a 20 x 15 mm glossy
swatch.  The same consistent color classification using Munsell colors can be
achieved for a lot less money.  The Kobayashi Color Image Scale retails for
around $13.  The only drawback is that the classification system is not
compatible with Munsell.  For example, "GY/Dp" is equivalent to "10GY 4/6" in
the Munsell system which is the code for "Olive Green" color, a dark shade
and deep tone Green of the Green-Yellow hue.
 
The full citation is:  Color Image Scale, Shigenobu Kobayashi, Kodansha
International, Tokyo, 1990, 151 pages, index, and Hue-Tone Classification
Chart.
 
Pat Tucker
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