That's hard, when there's no way to tell - I don't envy you! There's got to be a book out there that discusses color schemes of homes built the time yours was. For example, I grew up in a town with a lot of Victorians. They often used unusual color schemes in renovations, and I was told that they had some basis in history for doing so. So there must be something out there...unless that's just the spoiled internet generation in which we live getting to me! Whatever you choose, I'm sure it will look great. And never underestimate black and white, if that's indeed what the house once had - it can be very striking.

Paint it yellow - it's bright and sunny and everyone always remembers it

Yellow would also be my recommendation. A pastel but strong yellow. So charming.

Yellow actually makes sense. Take a look at that house on Lafayette on the corner of -- I'm not sure, is it Washington? It's bright yellow, with black shutters, and it certainly stands out, but in a good way.

Wow, tough decision -- color is so tricky. There are indeed many books out there (go browse the Park Slope B&N) and even Benjamin Moore's exterior paint brochures have some nice pics that might be helpful. One consideration: the color of your roof shingles will be a critical factor. Until you've decided that, you can't really decide the rest.

Forget about painting! You'll be touching up/repainting every other year. Go with the HardiPlanks. Very little color fading and very easy cleaning.

Check out their color palate. http://www.jameshardieeu.com/pr7.html

I like Slate or Midnight(I'm partial to blues), but i think Red Rock might be interesting also.

I'm hoping to use hardiplank, but I've heard that Landmarks' only allows its use under duress. Since they know I'm hoping to preserve this place and not tear it down, I wonder how much bargaining leverage I have.

There are tests that can be done to determine the original colors of the house. They take a sample of the paint and send it to a lab. I am and architect and I have worked with a historic conservation specialist on some historic buildings in the city and this is what they do to help inform the color selection process.

The firm I have worked with is
Jablonski/Berkowitz Conservation
40 W. 27th St.
New York, NY 10001

They are highly professional people.

I'm a conservator and I would recommend getting a paint analysis done. Or if you have access to a microscope take a sample from the exterior, set in epoxy using an ice cube tray, and look at it under a microscope. Find some books that have historic color samples and match it up as best you can. Jablonski/Berkowitz could do it but they'll charge you more than its worth. If i wasn't headed out of town I'd do it for you.

Ben Moore Hawthorne Yellow--Great, classic, period-correct exterior Victorian paint color

your home had shingle siding - uncommon for brooklyn. Shingles are often unpainted on shingle-style homes. perhaps this wast the case with your's as well.