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hankronInteresting. I would suggest that this supports my contention that the dying was intentional, as I rarely see paper fungus or deterioration grow in a straight line.
In the 1880s someone invented a method to add dyes to the albumen paper. No small feat as the photographic paper is full of carefully formulated light sensitive chemicals and adding another substance can ruin the whole recipe-- so it was unlike dying writing paper or making flower patterned toilet paper (Though I understand it took an army of engineers and years of secret New Mexico tesing to make that lotioned tissue paper). Though varioius colors could be used, pink dye worked the best and is the most likely color to be found. Albumen paper was manufactured in factories. The paper was produced in big sheets that were evenually cut down. This might explain how there could be a 'color miscut,' sort of like a miscut 1962 Topps or a T206 color goof.
From what I understand, the Old Judges come in a variety of colors. That the by far most commonn color variation is pink matches with the photography history, and suggests that pink Old Judges aren't an accident. Bad judgement perhaps, but not an accident.