Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6(a): SCADTA REVISION SO FAR

Up to now, following the CCNA vignette issues in Chapter 4, we have dealt with the SG10 second issues, which were for the period March – November 1920. See Chapter 5 (a).

After that we dealt with the SG11-15 and 15a varieties. See Chapter 5(b).

In October 1920, the first issue of the SCADTA 30c and 50c was introduced. The 30c black-on-rose design was used officially until March 1921. Initially some 50c stamps were used, as the rate was 50c, but after that the 30c stamp was used as the rate was reduced. These 50c stamps appeared with the “famousa” bird/colibri humming-bird surcharge. See Chapter 6(b).

From March 1921 – September 1921, these 30c stamps were used on experimental flights. See Chapter 7.

From September 1921 until end December 1921, these same 30c and a few 50c stamps were used on scheduled flights, the experimental flights being proved reliable. See Chapter 6(d).

In the interim, provision was made for the treatment of mail arriving from overseas and in this period, I have shown and described the Meija forerunners. See Chapter 6(c).

In November/December 1921, these stamps were used surcharged and are titled SCADTA Provisional stamps. These had a variety of different surcharges of 10c and 30c values due to the stock of the 30c being used up. See Chapter 6(d). As no other newly printed stamps were available, these surcharges became a unique part of Colombian airmail history. See Chapter 6. The brilliant “Handbook of the SCADTA Provisional Surcharges 1921-1923”, edited and published by Santiago Cruz and Dieter Bortfeldt in 2004, gives the most splendid detail of all the surcharged stamps found. See Chapter 6(e).

In November 1921, the new second issue of SCADTA stamps were printed. These were values of 10c, 15c and 30c and are not dealt with here.

In December 1921, the new third issue SCADTA stamps were issued. These eventually became the consular issues and are not dealt with here.

In May 1922, and for one day only, the 10c yellow of the second issue was urgently surcharged “30 cent”. The 30c of the second issue ran out completely. See the end of Chapter 6.

During 1921 and 1922, incoming mail from abroad was affixed with stamps of the October 1920 issue. Such included one from Barbados – December 1921, from Austria – February 1922, Berlin – September 1922 and from Ohligs, Germany also in September 1922. In addition, and very rare, are a few from Panama handstamped on a November 1921 new second issue 30c stamp.

CHAPTER 6 (b): SCADTA PROVISIONAL ISSUES

As mentioned, SCADTA was founded on 5 December 1919, with a capital of 100,000 gold pesos. At that time 1 peso was more or less equal to one US dollar.

The first issue of SCADTA stamps was printed on 4 October 1920 by C. Valiente. Sheets were printed, containing 48 stamps per sheet. This comprised two stamps, a regular 30c black-on-rose design (25,000 issued) and 50 dull green (15,000 issued) issues. As history was to show, the 30c black-on-rose issue was quickly used up.

IMPORTANT NOTE: From March 1921, some 5 months later, (prior to the official issues described below, and up to around 15 September 1921), a number of experimental flights were made exploring new routes. These experimental flights are quite desired by collectors and prices realized between $500 and $4000, depending on dates and cancellations.

These are set out and examples are shown and described in Chapter 7. After 21 September 1920, covers with the same 30c were on OFFICIAL SCADTA flights and I have recorded covers, etc. of 15, 21 and 28 September and 3, 7, 9, 17 and 19 November.

21 September 1920, was the first day of the regular SCADTA flights.

After October 1921, the 30c supplies ran out (HAVING BEEN USED ON EXPERIMENTAL FLIGHTS), and this marked the beginning of the use of 30c surcharges in many ways on the 50c green stamp.

Rarity: on 18 October 1920, we observe the sole legitimate use of the green 50c stamp dates stamped the oval Correos Aereos Barranquilla. (Only four covers and two fragments are known.)

Then on the following day, 19 October, we observe the commercial and sole use, for this occasion only, a surcharged Hummingbird “Colibri,” which was flown on cover on the newly issued green 50c stamp.

Only seven such covers are known.

The oval handstamp shows the humming bird in the center, the border of which has the words “servicio postal aereo / S.C.A. de T.A.” The 50c stamp, with two national post stamps to a value of 3 cents, covered the 50c rate not exceeding 20 grams and this was the only occasion this was used. Only five are known.

The Colibri (bird) surcharge

1920, Oct. 18, Barranquilla-Girardor First Flight 50c pale green, together with “Correos Nacionales” 1c. and 2c., used on piece, showing complete and fine strike of “Correos Aéreos/Barranquilla” oval handstamp with inserted date of 18 October denoting this flight, with Rendon certificate; also a single example (small surface rubbing in upper right corner) cancelled be this handstamp on the same flight. For this flight, the 50c. rate was applied, although one month later it was reduced to 30c. Four covers and two fragments are known with this cancellation on this flight, this being even scarcer than the famous “Colibri” type, which was also used in flight.

1920. 20 October. First flight by hydroplane to the Interior, Barranquilla-Girardot. Cover to Bogotá franked by 50c. pale great with additional Franking, the former being tied by “Colibri” “humming bird oval handstamp “Servicio Postal Aéreo/S.C.A. de TA.” illustrated with a humming bird with arrival on the back. The “Colombia” seaplane had an accident at a riverbank of the Magdalena near Girardot and, except the mechanic Schroeder, the pilots and passengers survived. With this flight, SCADTA initiated its services, pioneering airmail in South America. Some perforations are toned, not detracting. One of only seven covers recorded with this well-known and fascinating cancellation, which was only used in this flight on part of the mail carried. Cert. Bortfeldt. Scott C16,: Yv 23, Kessler 2. Ex Orriz.

In addition, on the first flight Barranquilla to Giradot, a 30-cent black-on-rose with a bird handstamp was used.FIRST ISSUE OF 4 OCTOBER 1920 – 30c black-on-rose and 50c green These are quite common. However, shown below are vertically imperforated pairs. These are rare, seldom found and always carry a premium value.

Shown earlier is the single oval handstamp. I have not seen one on cover with a hummingbird surcharge. For all the provisionals, there were two printings, one of a 30c black-on-rose paper (23000), and a 50c green (15000). These were in sheets of 48.

All that can be said is that the 30c printings were used up so quickly that the 50c green was forcedly extensively used with provisional surcharges of many types, often in small numbers in various towns.

Of special interest and for collectors, there are a number of single one-of-a-kind rarities, if they can be found.

Either of the imperforate (4 October) in between in pairs or blocks or more are sought and are very scarce.

Also, either of the two bisected as 15c and 25c are incredibly rare. These were used bisected in Bogota on 15 September 1921. Thus, as described in the next section, there was a need for a 10c airmail rate.

75

CHAPTER 6 (c): THE MEIJA “FORERUNNERS”

(OCTOBER 1920 TO SEPTEMBER 1921)

From the new issue 4 October 1920, the 30c black-on-rose design was used on flights both

domestically and overseas. To make the Colombian air services available to American business firms, the 30c and 50c stamps were sold at the New York office and each stamp was signed in red by the agent, G. Mejia.

This combination is named the “two cover system” because the postal regulations did not permit this combination together with the stamps of the countries from which the covers were sent.

Nevertheless, this combination seemed to have been accepted on a few occasions. Examples of this unique duly signed by Meija is shown below. Collectors should buy these.

The first used example I have seen was on a cover dated 21 October 1921.

SHOWN BELOW IN TWO SHEETS BEING THE LARGEST KNOWN

(EX Boonshaft)

These were equivalent to being consular forerunners. Many of these flights were experimental. Such experimental flight details and examples of covers are shown.

EXAMPLES OF A FLOWN MEIJA COVER DATED 26 October 1921

These flown Meija covers are extremely scarce. No more than a single handful exist. They are signed in red ink “G.Meija.”

They are so desired that in November 2014, Corinphila realized Sw Fcs 6,500 for a fine Meija cover.

In excess of $4,500 ++ seems to be a ruling price in world auctions. Goeggel had two, Kaplan another. These are among those I have seen.

I have seen a single used stamp damaged with a 3-line violet handstamp “Socieded Colombo Alebama/Transporte Aereos de /Bar ranquilla”. The gap is as it appears. This handstamp contains the rare “hand” sign preceding the B.

CHAPTER 6 (d)

After September 1921, these flights, having proved successful on the revised and updated routing, were replaced by scheduled flights. See examples below. Dates are handmarked.

During this period, correspondence was received from overseas. In such cases, one of the 4 October stamps was affixed. You can see here pre and post mid-September 1921.

First, however, shown is mail from Germany, etc. bearing foreign stamps. These are very rare. Few exist.

To enable the mail to be delivered within Colombia, a 30c SCADTA stamp had to be affixed. These covers are very scarce, commanding a realization of some Sw.fcs.5,000 recently.

1921, 1 September. Puerto Berrio-El Banco flight. 30c. black-on-rose design and “Correos NacionaIs” on piece and tied by framed “República de CoIombia/Corres Nacionales/Puerto Berrio/ Banco/Correos Nacionales” date stamps.

At most only five items are known from this flight.

An example of a cover addressed to Mejia using the black-on-rose 30c, being one of the seaplane issues.

S.C.A.T.A. 1920-21 Seaplane issues, both 30c. values used on rose misperfed to show “Sociedad-Colombo-Alemana” at the foot tied to cover from Barranquilla to Bogotá endorsed ‘Por Hodro-Avion (sic) “Colombia”.

COLOMBIA – SCADTA PROVISIONAL ISSUES.

THIS IS THE ONLY MINT COPY EXTANT OF THE 30c…..30c SURCHARGE 2 MAY 1920.

Cruz Bortfeldt Handbook No. 1 describes this. Moorhouse certificate. Extremely rare – signed Brun Ex Boonshaft – Realized $2,900 ex Goeggel.

Addendum Chapter 6(e)

1921 PROVISIONAL SURCHARGES

(Possibly the toughest of all airmails of this 1919 to 1923 period to acquire in full)

The Sociedad Colombo-Alemana de Transportes Aereos, more commonly known as SCADTA, issued two stamps on 4 October 1920 in preparation for the beginning of its airmail service in Colombia on 20 October 1920. Both were printed in Barranquilla by Valiente in sheets of 48. The 50c was intended to pay the basic letter rate of 20g for the interior; the 30c was to be for the rate from Barranquilla to Cartagena, or other nearby cities. These stamps were all that were available until November 1921 when Valiente printed new 10c and 15c as well as new 30c stamps. The basic rate was reduced to 30c after the 30 October flight. The SCADTA airmail service grew rapidly in 1921, causing the special printing of a number of provisional surcharges to meet the demand. There are many varieties, but there are three basic groups into which these surcharges can be placed.

30c on 50c – to meet the 30c basic As early as 2 May, there were severe shortages, but especially after regular service began in September 1921.

10c on 50c – for the new route Girardot to Neiva, which started on 19 September 1921. No 10c stamps were available until 24 November 1921 .

20c on 50c – to create a 20c stamp when it was needed due to a change in rates. The new series was ordered from Germany, but was not released until 19 December 1921.

However, there was the “30 cent “surcharged stamp issued on one day only, 5 March 1922.

Many of these are incredibly scarce, and should be fertile areas, should the number of collectors increase.

They are seldom found, so either none, one, or two exist. That is the case with these provisionals, so much so that collectors must be satisfied to have just a few selected items and a couple of the rarities perhaps.

Imagine, where only one or a few exist, and new collectors wished to add these to their holdings? This is the case, as we have seen, where more than one collector needs an item. The price they are prepared to bid against one another rises exceedingly. In the table below, are the numbers believed to exist.

JUST ABOUT EVERY STAMP IN THIS CATEGORY IS A STRONG BUY.

Also shown are the catalogu values shown by Gibbons and Scott and some current realizations.

Cruz and Bortfeldt‘s “Handbook of the SCADTA Provisional Surcharges 1921 – 1923” is a masterly work.

SET OUT BELOW IS A LIST OF THE PROVISIONALS WITH THE COLOMPHIL CATALOG IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS, AS USED BY CRUZ-BORTFELDT.

NOTE ON THE SCADTA PROVISIONAL ISSUES

Each and every provisional stamp for the period up to the actual printing of official SCADTA stamps of 4 October 1921 is set out hereunder. Used for identification are the COLOMPHIL catalog numbers, as also used by Cruz and Bortfeldt in their valuable book “Handbook of the Provisional Surcharges 1921 -1923.”

NOTE THE EXAMPLES WHERE JUST 1 0R 2 EXIST. Value exceptional.

Colomphil ID • Numbers known • Scott /SG values • US $ • Date of issue Recent price

Cat

Mint UseoC

Cover Issue date Some past prices

SG3a

2000 2000 – Oct/Dec 1920 $2000 +++used

This is the SG 3a, being the 10c surcharge with the normal shaped 1 serif. Type a. Very rare and I have seen just a handful in auctions. Cruz Bortfeldt’s Handbook of the SCADTA Provisionals does not even show these. When available, they SHOULD command many times the SG 3b, which is the inverted 1 in the 10, crude thick out of alignment grey-violet surcharge.

BUY

Block of 4 below Ex Robson Lowe

Bermuda auction 1979. A grossly undervalued stamp. One other single as shown. Four used and one cover are known.

Colomphil

Mint

Numbers known Used CoverSG/Scott/other prices Mint Used Cover Issue date

Some past prices

11? 5– – $3000 2.5.21$3200

Realizations $2900 mint $ 1700 used

This is the 30c …… 30c spaced surcharge of 2 May 1920. Only one mint copy exists.

This stamp was a May 1921 experimental flight.

This is very sought after. Rare and unused and only one exists. BUY!

Bogota to New York. As on this day the Bogota SCADTA office ran out of 30 Centavos stamps, very few 50 Centavos stamps were surcharged by a handstamp with “30 c” made from a toy printing set. Only five Covers and one postcard are known.

Colomphil ColomphilNumbers known Mint Used CoverSG/scott/other prices

Mint Used

Cover

Issue date

24 1 10– ––4.11.21

This is the more plentiful inverted figure 1, which replaced the SG 3(a) normal serif. It was used on flights from Girardot to Neiva.

Colomphil Numbers known SG/scott/others price

Mint Used Cover Mint Used Cover Issue date 2(a) 2 1 – ? ? – 4.11.21

The inverted copy of the stamp Colomphil (SG 2 3b). Crude thick type. Very rare. Severed copy of pair below. Strong BUY.

The pair shown above was separated and the single shown preceding this inverted pair is the top copy of the pair before being bisected.

Colomphil

Mint

Numbers known Used CoverSG/scott/others price Mint Used Cover

Issue date

2b–– 1– – ?

Double surcharge of Colomphil 2 One inverted. Unique. I have never seen a copy.

Only shown on cover

Colomphil Numbers known SG/scott/others price

Mint Used Cover Mint Used Cover Issue date 2c 1 1 – – ? – ^

Rare stamp with “hook” in 1 of 10c. One copy known.

Colomphil Numbers known SG/scott/others price

Mint Used Cover Mint Used Cover Issue date 2d – 1 – – ? – ^

Imperforated stamp, no record

No Copy Available

Colomphil Numbers known SG/scott/others price

Mint Used Cover Mint Used Cover Issue date

– 1 – – ? – ^

This is the invert of the above between hands. There are a number of scarce varieties.

Colomphil

Mint

Numbers known SG/scott/others price Used Cover Mint Used Cover

Issue date

316 – 5000 1800 * –

This is the 10 centavos between “hands.” One of the more collectable items, but only one exists in mint condition. Past prices: $2,100 & $1,900.

Colomphil Numbers known SG/scott/others price

Mint Used Cover Mint Used Cover Issue date 3a 1 6 – – – – 4/11/21

Colomphil Numbers known SG/scott/others price

Mint Used Cover Mint Used Cover Issue date 3c 1 6 – – – – 4/11/21

Double surcharge

Colomphil Numbers known SG/scott/others price

Mint Used Cover Mint Used Cover Issue date 4a – 1 – – 2000 – 4/11/21

The invert of the above. Rare

Refer Kessler. Only one used stamp survived. Rare.

Colomphil Numbers known SG/scott/others price

MintUsedCoverMint Used CoverIssue date41792500 700 1200*4/11/21

This is the misspelt VAOLR used on the return trip, Girardot to Neiva and back. 4 November was the earliest date of use. It seems mostly only covers addressed to Behr-Heyder survived. Third Behr-Heyder issue from Girardot Maruel Jose Tobin SCADT agent cancellation. Three signatures by Bauer and Tzietzen and one other. Last sale: $2,100

SG 4 Vaolr Error with pointing hand surcharge Vaolr “10 centavos”.

SG5A. Valor spelt VAOLR error. The vertical pair appear on the reverse of a cover (the only one sent overseas) sent to Koeln, Germany to Mrs Behr-Heyder on 4 November 1921 and the arrival stamp 7 December in Koeln. Franked with 50 centavos, with 30 centavos for first 20 grams and 20 centavos for the next 20 grams for a total of 40 grams. The mixed franking 2 x 10 centavos using the Sg5a + 30 centavos. The Valor 30 centavos is SG6. Note the “O” is slightly dropped. Also note the small T and large heavy A.

Red surcharge normal black surcharge

ColomphilMintUsedCoverMintUsedCoverIssue date5279500600*1200*4/11/21

As per catalog. The typewritten VALOR $0.10.

The 5(b) rare variety per Cruz Bortfeldt realized $2,300.

ColomphilNumbers known Mint Used

Cover

SG/scott/other prices Mint Used Cover

Issue date

5b (var)– 2–– 1800 –4/11/21Variety– 1– 2700

The typewritten $0.10 is in various printing varieties. Refer to Cruz-Bortfeldt. This is very rare.

Some past prices: 5b (var) $1,800 Variety $2,400

Red surcharge normal black surcharge

ColomphilMintUsedCoverMintUsedCoverIssue date5c–1––2400–

Unique error. Only one exists. The last sale: $2,400.

Red surcharge normal black surcharge

ColomphilMintUsedCoverMintUsedCoverIssue date5 a + b––––––4/1121

Vertical strip narrow and wide spacing. No history of pricing.

ColomphilNumbers known Mint Used CoverSG/scott/others price Mint Used Cover

Issue date

6– 2 2– 3500* 6500

This is the very rare VALOR $0.30 for sending to New York. Only two used copies exist and one cover. It is extremely rare.

Some past prices: $3,600 used

There have been no realizations recorded of “VALOR $0.30” on cover.

Colomphil

Mint

Numbers known Used CoverSG/scott/others price Mint Used Cover

Issue date

7,7a–– 1– – 600013.10.21

Only one copy known of the $20 C. The C is widely spaced. Only one exists and is on cover – no individual stamp known.

Note: The 2 inverted part C after the “O”. A number of type 9 Colomphil used to have this characteristic. The one extant example shown surcharged here is dated 29 December 1921, while type 9, $030 on $020c, is dated 22 December. Thus, this rubber stamp was placed over the only other example of the number 7. Looks like a double overprint!

ColomphilNumbers known Mint Used CoverSG/scott/other cat.prices Mint Used Cover

Issue date

81 10 64200* 800 260025.10.21

This is the $030c surcharge. Seen above is the normal placing and the inverted placing. Normally the regular placing is more horizontal.

ColomphilNumbers known Mint Used CoverSG/scott/others price Mint Used Cover

Issue date

8a– 8 5– 2200 270025.10.21

It is the same except an inverted surcharge. There is also a bisected example. No mint copy is known.

Colomphil

Mint

Numbers known Used CoverSG/scott/others price Mint Used Cover

Issue date

917 2? 2800 350022.12.21

It is very similar to no.8, but there is no “c” after $030. There is 9a, where the width between the 0 and the 3 is wider in 9a.