History of Post and Postage Stamps Colombia

Domaroc period

Prior to the arrival of the Spanish conquerors in this South American region, the Inca Empire postal service operated on the basis of the walking Chusky messengers. Since the beginning of the XVI century, the Spanish postal system ^[3] was established in the current territory of Colombia and the surrounding countries, which, according to the royal order, was controlled by the Indies and newly discovered lands ^[4] . However, it can be seen from the sources that the chief postmaster’s service officials began working in Colombian territory only around 1717. In 1768, the postal monopoly was restored by the Spanish crown, and José Antonio de Pando ( Spanish: José Antonio de Pando ) was named chief postmaster of the vice kingdoms of Peru and New Granada .

A very detailed and precisely formulated set of mail operating rules, now known as “Pando Manuscript” (“Pando Manuscript”), was applied until around 1822, when General Santander established new routes and fares in the new Republic of Colombia. At the same time, there is information about letters and mail as early as 1534, about letters sent to the Council of India by the first conquistadors . From then until the XVIII century, mail was transported throughout the country, but in private with the help of a helmet. The first postal notes were introduced by the Pando document back in 1771 ^{[5] [6]} .

Independence

After independence, the postal service developed within the framework of successively successive republics - Greater Colombia and New Granada . In 1858, as a result of constitutional changes, the federal republic of Granada Confederation was created, but it also did not last long, until 1863. This confederation included the current states of Colombia and Panama, and even part of northwestern Brazil .

By decree of 1859, a post was established in the Granada Confederation and the use of postage stamps was determined. The central government of the Granada Confederation was responsible for delivering mail between states, as well as forwarding outgoing and incoming correspondence from other countries.

After another constitutional change in 1861, the Granada Confederation was transformed into the United States of New Granada. From 1863 to 1886, this public entity was called the United States of Colombia . Moreover, the states themselves already existed from February 27, 1855 - as part of the Republic of New Granada and the Granada Confederation , where they were called "federal states." They were called “ sovereign states ” in the United States of Colombia. The Congress of the Granada Confederation passed a law on June 3, 1859, allowing sovereign states to establish their own postal services. In 1863, the United States of Colombia, as the confederation now began to be called, consisting of eight sovereign states, confirmed the authority of these sovereign states to have their own mail and issue .

At that time, about 5 million people lived in Colombia, many of whom could not read or write, and Colombia’s ties with the rest of the world were limited to several trading companies. The main way to get to the ports was using boats on the Magdalena River , and it took at least two weeks to get to the coast. The transportation of mail, as well as its distribution, was entrusted to employees and companies working under a contract with the government.

On July 1, 1881, Colombia was admitted to the UPU ^[1] .

Since 1911, Colombia has been among the countries participating in the Postal Union of American States, Spain and Portugal ( UPAEP ) ^[2] . On October 1, 1937, Spain entered into circulation an American- Spanish return coupon ( Cupón-respuesta americoespañol ). It was distributed in the countries of this postal union, including Colombia, until February 29, 1956 ^[7] .

In modern conditions, the postal service in the country is provided by the company 4-72, La Red Postal de Colombia ^{[1] [2]} , which is directly subordinate to the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications of Colombia ^[2] .

Granada Confederation

September 1, 1859, the first Colombian postage stamps went on sale. At that time, Colombia was called the Granada Confederation . Thus, the first postal miniatures of the country are stamps of the Granada Confederation. The second issue appeared in 1860.

Issued since 1859 for the purpose of paying for shipping, national postage stamps had the inscription: “Confed. Granadina Correos Nacionales ” (“ Granada Confederation. National Post ”) ^{[8] [9]} .

United States New Granada

In September 1861, a third series of five postage stamps was issued with the inscription: “Estados Unidos de Nueva Granada” (“United States of New Granada”) ^[8] .

United States of Colombia

with the inscription "Estados Unidos de Colombia" ("United States of Colombia") were issued until 1886 ^[8] . Soon after, the fourth issue of stamps came out - with the inscription "United States of Colombia." Four more issues completed the classic period in 1868. In total, 42 postage stamps were issued during this time.

Separate States of Colombia

In the postal history of Colombia, stamps are known that were issued independently by individual states that existed between 1855-1886. They were only suitable for paying the postal tariff within the respective sovereign state, although several examples are known of sending the correspondence they paid to other states and even to Europe .

Antioquia

At first, the state, and then the Department of Antioquia (the administrative center is Medellin ) issued its own in 1868-1904. Text on the postage stamps of the original drawings: “E ^s U ^s de Colombia” (“US Columbia”), “Correos” (“Mail”), “ES de Antioquia” (“Sovereign State of Antioquia”), “EE UU de Colombia” (“US Columbia”), “E ^o S ^o de de Antioquia” (“Sovereign State of Antioquia”), “Correos de Antioquia” (“Post of Antioquia”), “Colombia” (“Colombia”), “R de Colombia” ( Republic of Colombia), D de A (Department of Antioquia), Provisional (Temporary), Republica de Colombia (Republic of Colombia), Correos del departamento de Antioquia (Department Post Antioquia ”), “ Registro ” (“ Custom ”), “ R ” (“ Custom ”), “ UPU ” (“ Universal Postal Union ”), “ Antioquia ” (“ Antioquia ”) ^[9] .

In total, 144 ordinary postage stamps, 7 postage stamps for registered letters , 7 postage stamps for letters sent after the working hours of postal institutions expired were issued ^[9] .

Bolivar

The state of Bolivar (administrative center - Cartagena ) began issuing in 1863. The first three stamps issued are among the smallest postage stamps in the world. Most postage stamps in this state (department) feature a national hero, Simon Bolivar . The following inscriptions are found on the postage stamps of the original drawings: “EU de Colombia” (“US Columbia”), “Estado Soberano de Bolívar” (“Sovereign State of Bolivar”), “Correos del estado” (“State Post Office”), “Correos de Bolívar ” (“ Post of Bolivar ”), “ Departamento de Bolívar ” (“ Department of Bolivar ”) ^[9] .

In total, 65 ordinary postage stamps, 7 postage stamps for valuable letters and letters of receipt, 8 postage stamps for registered letters , 2 postage stamps for letters sent after the working hours of post offices were issued ^[9] .

Boyak

Despite the fact that, like the other sovereign states (departments) of Colombia, Boyaca (the administrative center is Tunja ) received the right to issue in the 1860s, the first issue of Boyaca was released only in 1899 ^[9] . Postage stamps were issued until 1904 ^[9] . On the postage stamps of the original drawings of the inscription: “Colombia. Boyacá ” (“ Colombia. Boyaca ”), “ Correos ” (“ Mail ”), “ Departamento de Boyacá ” (“ Department of Boyaca ”), “ Republica de Colombia ” (“ Republic of Colombia ”) ^[9] .

In total, 11 postage stamps were issued ^[9] .

Cauca

State of Cauca (Cauca; administrative center - Popayan ).

Cucuta (Northern Santander)

The province of Cucuta (the administrative center is Cucuta ) was part of the Santander department, in 1900 a provisional rebel government was created there, stamps were issued from 1900 to 1904 ^{[9] [10]} . On the stamps of the original drawings of the inscription: “Gobierno provisorio” (“Provisional Government”), “Correos” (“Post”), “Republica de Colombia” (“Republic of Colombia”), “Departamento de Santander” (“Department of Santander”) , "Correos de la Provincia de Cucuta" ("Province of Cucuta Post Office") ^[9] .

A total of 44 postage stamps were issued ^[9] .

Kundinamark

The state, then the department of Kundinamarca (administrative center - Bogotá ) had its own postal service from 1870 to 1906. Like the national post office, the state issued several large-format insurance to pay for postal items, the declared value of which included an insurance premium.

Magdalena

State of Magdalena

Santander

Santander (administrative center - Bucaramanga ) also issued from 1884 to 1903 ^[9] . On the postage stamps of the original drawings of the inscription: “Estados Unidos de Colombia” (“US Columbia”), “Estado Soberano de Santander” (“Sovereign State of Santander”), “Correos” (“Post Office”), “Republica de Colombia” (“ Republic of Colombia ”), “ Departamento de Santander ” (“ Department of Santander ”) ^[9] . Overprints on postage stamps: “Provisional” (“Temporary”), “Correos de Santander” (“Santander Post”) ^[9] .

A total of 57 postage stamps were issued ^[9] .

Tolima

Tolima (administrative center - Ibague ): July 12, 1861, raising an armed rebellion against the constitutional government of President Mariano Ospina Rodriguez , General Thomas Cipriano de Mosquera created the sovereign state of Tolima , separated from the sovereign state of Cundinamarca ( Sovereign State of Cundinamarca ). were issued from 1870 to 1906.

A total of 62 postage stamps were issued ^[9] .

Choco

The province of Nova Granada Choco (administrative center - Qibdo ) in 1879 issued one postage stamp ^[9] . Text on the stamp: “Republica de N. Granada” (“Republic of New Granada”), “Gobernacion de Choco” (“Province of Choco”) ^[9] .

Republic of Colombia

In 1886, the new Republic of Colombia abolished the states and divided the country into departments of Colombia . Nevertheless, the states that are part of Colombia continued to issue individual postage stamps until the early 1900s ^[8] . On the postage stamps issued by the Republic of Colombia, the inscription “Republica de Colombia” (“The Republic of Colombia”) appeared, which was the fourth change in the name of the state from 1859, which subsequently turned simply into “Colombia” (“Colombia”) ^[8] . In addition, the stamps issued since then indicate: “Correos” (“Post”) ^[9] .

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  Postage stamp of the Republic of Colombia with a par value of 10 pesos (1888)

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  Stamp of the Republic of Colombia for late letters, with the inscription "Retardo" , 1886 ( Sc # 11)

In 1945, in commemoration of the victory of the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition over fascist Germany, one of the Colombian stamps was imprinted with portraits of F. Roosevelt , W. Churchill , IV Stalin ^[11] .

Airmail

In 1919, the first Colombian airmail miniature appeared ( Mi # 264; Yt # PA1) : on the 1917 postage stamp was overprinted “1er. Servicio Postal Aereo 6-18-19 " (" First Postal Aviation Service. June 18, 1919 ") ^[12] .

The first regular national airmail stamps were published in Colombia in 1932 ^[11] .

In addition, there are earlier Colombian stamps for airmail issued in 1921-1928, which depicted a plane flying over mountains or cities. They included the words: “Servicio Postal Aéreo de Colombia” (“ Colombia Postal Aviation Service”) and “SCADTA” or “Servicio de Transportes Aéreos en Colombia” (“Air Transport Service in Colombia”), and also simply “SCADTA” . The last abbreviation meant that these stamps were used to pay for shipments carried by airplanes of the aviation company (from Sociedad Colombo-Alemana de Transportes Aéreos - Colombian-German Air Transport Society) ^{[13] [^] [^]} .

SCADTA stamped stamps were also used as consular stamps. 

Service

In 1920-1937 the production of service marks was made ^[11] .

Post and Tax

Since 1935, postal and tax stamps have been issued ^[11] .

Consular

In the 1920s, mail from Colombian consulates in different countries was transported to Colombia by sea. Further delivery of such letters already inside Colombia was carried out by air mail. In this regard, letters had to be pre-glued with special signs of additional payment. They were SCADTA ^[≡] airline brands , which were sold by the Colombian consulates in a particular country and contained overprints of various letter-initials ^[13] .

The initials stamped on the SCADTA marks corresponded to the name of the country in the territory of which each consulate was located. To this end, in 1921, stamps with the following manual overprints were made and used: “A” (two types) - Germany, “E” - Spain, “EU” - United States of America, “F” - France, “GB” - Great Britain, “H” - Holland, “I” - Italy, “P” - Panama, “S” - Switzerland, “V” - Venezuela. Overprints were made with paints of different colors, and these issues of stamps are considered interesting material for specialized collections ^[13] .

In 1923, the Colombian Post Office prepared a new series of aviation stamps on paper with a watermark, while on the part of the print run there is a machine overprint of the initials. In this series a few more letters were added: “B” - Belgium, “D” - Denmark, “Su” - Sweden. After a while, manual overprints were made again, including new initials: “A - U” for consulates in Afghanistan and Uruguay, “Bo” for Bolivia, “Bg” for Brazil, “CA” for Canada, “CH” for Chile, “CR” - Costa Rica, “C” - Cuba, “DE” - Denmark, “PE” - Peru. As a result, stamps intended for the same consulates can be found with both manual and machine overprints and with letters of different fonts ^[13] .

With the growing popularity of aviation topics among collectors, the brands described are considered rare, and it is very difficult to find them. Occasionally, they are put up for sale at international philatelic auctions ^[13] .

Post-stamps

In 1859-1917, fiscal stamps could be used as postage stamps (ie, postage stamps ) ^[11] .

Others

In addition, stamps for registered letters, stamps of delivery letters, stamps of international letters, stamps of money letters, stamps for items delivered after the end of the work of the post office, express stamps were also issued in Colombia. At the same time, the inscriptions on the respective stamps read: “AR” (“Notification of receipt”), “Retardo” ( “Belatedly” ; for letters sent after the post office hours are up), “Recomendada” , “R” (“Custom ") ^[9] .

In addition to postal stamps, fiscal stamps were issued in Colombia. Moreover, it was the fiscal brand that became the first Colombian brand (non-mail). It was a black stamp with a face value of 20 centavos issued on September 1, 1858. It was not used for postal purposes ^{[14] [15]} .

In 1859-1917 fiscal stamps could be used as postage stamps ^[11] .

The Chamber of Commerce of Cucuta ( Cámara de Comercio de Cúcuta ) was established around 1890 in the form of a non-profit organization of the Government of Colombia under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism. The chamber organized a post office called “Correo del Comercio” (“Commercial Post”), which worked from 1890 to 1915. This post was intended to improve mail between the provinces of Santander and Venezuela and provide faster access to the coast of Maracaibo . Mail delivery was carried out between Cukuta and the Venezuelan Gulf , from where at that time a permanent sea connection was established with Europe and North America . The chamber did not issue postage stamps for its mail; only a few registered labels were issued. National postage stamps were used at state postal rates , which were canceled by different types of manual stamps with the text “CORREO DEL COMERCIO” (“Commercial mail”) ^{[5] [16] [17]} .

In addition to national mail and state postal agencies, Columbia operated private mail, some of which used their own stamps. The legal basis for this was laid on April 27, 1859, when the Colombian Parliament of the Confederation legislated that the postal service should not only not be a monopoly of the central government, but that Colombian governments, companies and even individuals should take part in it, even on the same most mail routes that were created by the central government. In total, 14 organizations issued postage stamps for private mail, most of them in the 1920s and in the 1930s ^[18] .

In the 19th century, two private mails functioned: the Eldorado Weekly Post Office (1870) in the Guasca area and the OASM Post Office (1882) in Barranquilla ^[19] .

Eldorado Weekly Mail

It was believed that in Lake Sunda ( Lagunas de Siecha ) (in the municipality of Guasca ) of the department of Cundinamarca , in an inaccessible lagoon at an altitude of more than 3 thousand meters above sea level, the legendary treasures of Eldorado hid from the Spaniards. Colombian citizen Enrique Urdaneta, along with his partner, the English engineer George Crowther, acquired in 1866 shares that gave them the opportunity to drain the lake. Mythical treasures were never discovered either in this lake or in any other (for example, Lake Guatavita , Lake Parime ).

Since communication was difficult due to the geographical features of the area, in 1868 a private post office was established, the so-called “Weekly Post Eldorado” ( Correo Semanal Del Dorado ) ^[5] . This first Colombian private post carried weekly mail from Eldorado from Lake Siecha to Bogotá until 1870. A special cliché was cut out to make stamps of this post. Stamps were issued with an adhesive layer. Denomination of postage stamps was 1 real (10 centavo de peso). Stamps were printed on various types of paper available: from pure white stationery paper, blue striped paper, watermarked paper and bluish-green paper to squared notebook paper. The size of the vintage sheets is unknown, but there are quarter blocks , some with pairs of tet-bechs , horizontal and vertical pairs, as well as single marks. In the period from March to November 16, 1870, ten envelopes passed by mail were recorded related to the work carried out on the lake ^{[20] [21]} .

OASM Mail

This private post was established in Barranquilla by a certain Octavio A.S. Mora. The letters were picked up at the post office of Barranquilla, they were pasted on one of the postage stamps of this private mail, after which the letters were handed to the recipients after paying the delivery fee. This private postal service operated for a very limited time at the end of 1882. Three different stamps of OASM private mail are known in denominations of 5 centavos of green, brown and black, printed lithographically in Paris ^{[22] [23]} .

From the time of Spanish colonization to the modern era, the history of Colombia is characterized by political changes and instability, which is reflected in the history of its postage stamps. Civil wars, uprisings, Panama’s independence and the Thousand-Day War of 1899-1902 brought about interesting philatelic materials . Many areas are still not fully understood, leaving open the opportunity for new research and discoveries. Collectibles include grocery stores , solid items , fiscal stamps , private express mails, local city mail, SCADTA ^[≡] airmail , military envelopes, etc.

The famous Columbia stamp collection was made in the past by the president of the Royal Philatelic Society of London, Thomas William Hall (1861-1937). This collection won several gold medals at philatelic exhibitions ^[24] .

Popular collectibles are Colombian postage stamps of the classical period and quenching with pen and hand stamp.

Classic Period

Printed runs were extremely small compared to any other country in this period. That is why Colombian postage stamps are rare these days and are of great interest to philatelists . Of the 42 stamps mentioned above, issued from 1859 to 1868, only seven complete stamp sheets were recorded, and for some stamps only pairs are known. Various attempts have been made to reconstruct the remaining stamp sheets, but even after 150 years this task has not been completed. There are different stamps that are not known on any envelope, another reason for collecting very rare stamps of the classical period. At the end of the 19th century, Colombia was in great fashion, which also caused an active fake of 39 of 42 postage stamps, mainly due to demand from collectors and because of the small circulation of their issue.

Pen and Hand Stamps

A postal decree of 1859 states that in the absence of hand stamps, either the home-made period or new ones, the cancellation of postage stamps is done by hand-writing the name of the point of departure. In many small cities there was no corresponding hand stamp until the 1890s, and in those cities where there was one, different hand stamps and different paint colors were used. Collecting various quenching pen and hand stamps is an interesting field of philately :

• Fake Almager Issues = The bogus issues of Almaguer // The Cinderella Philatelist. - London, UK: , 2012. - January ( vol. 52 , no. 1 (Whole No. 205) ). - P. 8 .
• Stanley Gibbons Limited : various Stanley Gibbons catalogs. (eng.)
• Valenzuela Acosta C. Postal and Postal Tariff History in Colombia = Historia Postal de Las Tarifas de Los Correos en Colombia. - 2003. (Spanish) [The book was awarded the in 2003.]

• Colombia A — Z of postal authorities. Encyclopaedia of Postal History . Stampsite: The Encyclopaedia of Postal Authorities. - Information about Colombia stamps in the database “Encyclopedia of the history of mail. Encyclopedia of Post Offices. " Date of treatment January 31, 2010. Archived September 23, 2008.
• Colombia Postal History Resources (inaccessible link) . Country and Topical Resources . Worldwide postal history website - Postalhistory.org. - Links to Internet resources and literature on the history of postal and stamps of Colombia on the website Postalhistory.org (Australia). Date of treatment July 11, 2014. Archived March 20, 2012.
• Colombia-Panama Philatelic Study Group COPAPHIL. - Columbia-Panama Postage Stamp Study Group. Date of treatment July 11, 2014.
• Taylor, John M. Specialized Collection of Colombia Finding Guide . Date of treatment July 11, 2014.
• Private Mail Carriers of Colombia.
• Online exhibition of Colombian postal history 1886—1899 on Exponet
• Online exhibition of Colombia SCADTA Postal Stationery
• Online exhibition of Colombia - The unknown war "THE 1000 DAYS" on Exponet