Grundle, thanks for the tips. I will call the factory to see what they can do. Man, this is not an easy decision!
I think the black looks good ... the pic posted by insOma makes it look really nice. Black is a lot more versatile during the winter anyway, but I've already got several black leather jackets including three Vansons (mostly for motorcycling, but I could wear my Comet around town if need be).
The Hugh Laurie brown jacket also looks good. Wasn't he on Black Adder before he did House MD? Anyway, I like brown as a general "country" color and I think it's a welcome departure from 99% of the other leather jackets here in town, which are generally black.
I kinda like the cordovan as well, although in some photos on eBay it looks a bit too reddish for my taste.
Alternatively, I may consider looking at a Vanson Mercury (similar, but not the same style) for a standard black leather jacket ($459) and buy an Aero brown horsehide Highwayman. The Vanson is about $300 cheaper and while it is not horsehide or made as well as the Aero, I find that the standard Vanson size 40 (sized down 2" for me) fits rather well. My Comet has a decent taper so I don't find it loose around the waist at all. In this manner, I could get myself two decent leather jackets and save about $300 in the process.
Decisions, decisions!