Big Blue 1840-1940: Colombian States

1886 Scott 56 2 1/2c black/orange
"Coat of Arms"

Into the Deep Blue
How can one tell that one is in the (exciting to me!) philatelic backwaters of the hobby? Perhaps an unconventional way is comparing the Scott 1840-1940 classic catalogue over the years. I believe Scott began replacing black & white stamp illustrations around 2004. By 2011, it was rare to find a black & white stamp illustration, because they had been replaced with colored ones. Yet, with the Colombian States, the 2011 catalogue still had 51 B&W illustrations - Wow! My 2020 Classic catalogue now has none - finally. !!

The original post....

Colombian States & BB Checklist

Colombia (Map by Gerben van Gelder )

Stamp Issuing States in Red

If you enjoy exploring the backwaters of an interesting era, then the Colombian States offer much!

From my original Colombian States post...

"The United States of Colombia (1862-85) consisted of nine original States: Antioquia, Bolivar, Boyaca, Cundinamarca, Panama, Santander, Cauca*, Magdalena*, and Tolima. Naturally, all of them issued stamps as early as 1863. After a new constitution was adopted in 1886, the States became Departments, losing their sovereignty. But the Departments retained some rights, including issuing stamps as late as 1904. It should be noted that Panama left the Republic in 1903.
* Cauca and Magdalena did issue "stamps", but they are not presently listed in Scott."

I thought we would revisit these Colombian States.

This is actually a big topic. I will illustrate some (what I have) of the stamp issues from each State/Department. To make it manageable, I will publish several posts.

A Closer Look - Antioquia
100 Centavo = 1 Peso

1873 Scott 16 50c blue
Imperforate, Lithographed

Most issues of Antioquia (Medellin the most prominent town) and other Colombian States stamps were lithographic printed, which give them a flat, somewhat primitive quality. Of course, Colombia itself had mostly lithographic issues during this era.

I actually wish I had more Colombian States stamps, as I find the issues fascinating, and frankly not that well known, and somewhat hard to obtain. And yet the CV prices tend to be in the $1's and $10's (There are exceptions of course).

Antioquia had an 1868 issue (four stamps- CV $500-$1000), an 1869 issue (six stamps - CV $6-$20+), and then an 1873 issue (eight stamps, eight designs - CV $3+-$40+), of which the above is a member.

1886 Scott 61 50c yellow brown/buff
"Coat of Arms", Lithographed

There were three more issues produced (1875-85- nine stamps; 1878-85 -eight stamps; 1883-85 - seven stamps) before this shown 1886 stamp (eight stamps, one design - CV $1-$9). Recall that 1886 is when the "States" became "Departments" with a new constitution, and the governors were appointed by the President of the Republic. Perhaps this issue signaled the new era.

1887-88 Scott 64 1c red/violet
"Coat of Arms", Lithographed

In 1887-88, five more stamps were issued, similar in design to the 1886 issue, but in different colors. CV is <$1-$3+.

Just like Colombian stamps, there are forgeries extant for the primitive lithographic Colombian States issues also. (I can't guarantee that all of these illustrated stamps are genuine.)

For instance the above 1887-88 1c red/violet and the 1886 header stamp 2 1/2c black/orange are on the suspect list.

Here is another list of stamps where forgeries need to ruled out...
1868: 2½ 5 10c 1p
1869–73: 2½c–1p 1c–5p
1869–72: 2½c–1p
1869–73: 5 10 1p 5c
1873: 5p
1875–7: 1 1 1c
1889: 2½ 2½ 5 5c

1889 Scott 75 5c black/yellow
Lithographed

In 1889, the first perforated (13 1/2) issue for Antioquia was released (four stamps, one design). CV is <$1. Note the stamp know states "Departamento".

The "errors" of color found for the issue are essays or possibly reprints.

1890 Scott 85 5c black/orange
Typeset, Perf 14

A five stamp provisional issue (four designs) was typeset in 1890. Scott states there are 20 varieties of the 5c denomination. Talk about primitive! CV is $4+-$10+.

Printed by the 'IMPRENTA DEL DEPARTAMENTO' in Medellín, as a shortage of stamps existed.

1892 Scott 90 2 1/2c purple/lilac
Lithographed, Perf 13 1/2

In 1892, a lithographic three stamp, one design was issued.

1893 Scott 95 5c vermilion
Lithographed

And in 1893, four more stamps in the same design, but different colors, were published.

CV for both the 1892 & 1893 issues are <$1-$2+.

1896 Scott 108 20c blue
Lithographed, Perf 14

In 1896, a twenty stamp one design issue was released.

1896 Issue Scott 97-108

Although lithographed, the stamps have an almost engraved appearance.

CV ranges from <$1 to $200.

1899 Scott 127 2p olive gray
"General Jose Maria Cordoba"

In 1899, an eleven stamp lithographic issue with one design (as above) was released. They are still extremely ubiquitous in general stamp mixtures, and for many collectors, would represent their first introduction to Antioquia. I noticed when I had many Big Blue albums as feeder albums, invariably there would be some of these Antioquia stamps in them.

1901 Scott 129 1c ultramarine
Typeset, Perf 12

In 1901, another typeset issue was released (five stamps, three designs). There are four varieties of the 1c denomination, according to Scott. Do you like primitive? I do. ;-) CV is <$1-$9.

1902 Scott 137 20c gray green
"Atanasio Girardot", Lithographed

The 1902 set (ten stamps, four designs) is very inexpensive (CV <$1).

1902 Issue Scott 131-140

But what is truly more attractive - a set produced by a well know printing house in New York or London for a country, or a set that is produced "in house"? I vote for the latter. ;-)