Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
While these two series have been the subject of considerable writing in the philatelic press across the years, believe John N. Myer’s “Types of the ‘Numeral Issues” (American Philatelic Congress, 1957) is the definitive resource. Further, my knowledge of the subject has been greatly enhanced through exchanges with renown Colombia philatelist Jerry Bodoff.
The “Numeral” issues include two distinct series. The first was produced by JL Arango (Medellin) from 1904 through 1907. The second by Litografia Nacional (Bogota) during the period 1908 through 1917.
The Arango issues are lithographic, printed on paper of medium thickness. Perforation is 12. In total, 24 dies were employed.
The Arango issues are distinguished primarily by four variables:
1. Imprint at bottom of stamp. 1904 issues: Includes space between the design and the imprint. 1905 issues and onward: Imprint appears close to the design.
2. Value tablet (located near bottom of stamp). 1904 issues: Foliate ornament overlaps. 1905 issues and onward: Foliate ornament is clear.
3. Hook at bottom of design at left of numeral. 1904 2-cent and 5-cent values. Turned outward. 1905 issues and onward: Turned inward.
4. Two or three white lines above the word “Republica”. Varies by individual value.
The Litografia Nacional issues feature numerous paper varieties, four perforation varieties, and several shade varieties. Perforations include 13.5, 10, 13.5 x 10, and 10 x 13.5. All were produced via lithography.
Among the shade varieties documented are ½ cent (orange, yellow, and orange-yellow), and 1 cent (green, yellow-green, emerald, dark green).
One of the obvious differentiating criteria is the bottom imprint. It appears to the right on the 1c, 10c, and 20c values. And to the left on the 2 cent.
On the ½c and 5c values, the word “Bogota” is added, and the imprint is on the left. The letters “LFV” were added to the right. (Speculation: The initials of the diemaker.)
Litografia Nacional used numerous dies for each value. According to Myer, “Hardly a completely perfect specimen produced in the lithographic process…and these peculiarities are small.” For example, on the 5c value, the size of the pearls varies above the word “Republica”. Some are full, some partial. Size variation particularly noticeable on the first and second pearls on the left-side top.
Myer states, “Only a single die was used by Litografia for each denomination over a period of some nine years suggests that, in contrast with the lithographic procedure employed by Arango from 1904 to 1907, the Litografia followed the method of deriving the impression on the stones from metal dies.”
With respect to perforation, Myer wrote, “The Litografia employed perforating machines that produced perforations of two sizes: one which is somewhere between 13 and 13.5, which I prefer to call 13.5 for it seems nearest to that, and the other 10. Both sizes were undoubtedly used simultaneously because both were recorded soon after the stamps were issued and because a considerable number of the types exist with the two sizes compounded.” (Note: My collection includes a Litografia Nacional 1c stamp with what appears to have “sewing machine” perforations.)
With respect to paper and color, Myer wrote, “In a considerable number of cases the printing from a new setting was accompanied by a change of paper and to a lesser extent by a variation in color. This is particularly true of the 2c stamp. Thus the identification of the type of a particular specimen is aided by the two variables of paper and color in addition to those of spacing and guide lines. After a little experience, the philatelist should be able to classify any specimen quite readily.”
Myer’s article concludes with a two-page identification matrix which I will post pending permission from SOR management.
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This is very interesting. I would like to see the identification matrix.
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09:25:23am
Colombia’s “Numeral Issues” provides another affordable collecting opportunity filled with varieties not specifically included within the Scott “generalist” catalogue. Although some of the varieties can be challenging to find, nearly all have modest catalogue values.
While these two series have been the subject of considerable writing in the philatelic press across the years, believe John N. Myer’s “Types of the ‘Numeral Issues” (American Philatelic Congress, 1957) is the definitive resource. Further, my knowledge of the subject has been greatly enhanced through exchanges with renown Colombia philatelist Jerry Bodoff.
The “Numeral” issues include two distinct series. The first was produced by JL Arango (Medellin) from 1904 through 1907. The second by Litografia Nacional (Bogota) during the period 1908 through 1917.
The Arango issues are lithographic, printed on paper of medium thickness. Perforation is 12. In total, 24 dies were employed.
The Arango issues are distinguished primarily by four variables:
1. Imprint at bottom of stamp. 1904 issues: Includes space between the design and the imprint. 1905 issues and onward: Imprint appears close to the design.
2. Value tablet (located near bottom of stamp). 1904 issues: Foliate ornament overlaps. 1905 issues and onward: Foliate ornament is clear.
3. Hook at bottom of design at left of numeral. 1904 2-cent and 5-cent values. Turned outward. 1905 issues and onward: Turned inward.
4. Two or three white lines above the word “Republica”. Varies by individual value.
The Litografia Nacional issues feature numerous paper varieties, four perforation varieties, and several shade varieties. Perforations include 13.5, 10, 13.5 x 10, and 10 x 13.5. All were produced via lithography.
Among the shade varieties documented are ½ cent (orange, yellow, and orange-yellow), and 1 cent (green, yellow-green, emerald, dark green).
One of the obvious differentiating criteria is the bottom imprint. It appears to the right on the 1c, 10c, and 20c values. And to the left on the 2 cent.
On the ½c and 5c values, the word “Bogota” is added, and the imprint is on the left. The letters “LFV” were added to the right. (Speculation: The initials of the diemaker.)
Litografia Nacional used numerous dies for each value. According to Myer, “Hardly a completely perfect specimen produced in the lithographic process…and these peculiarities are small.” For example, on the 5c value, the size of the pearls varies above the word “Republica”. Some are full, some partial. Size variation particularly noticeable on the first and second pearls on the left-side top.
Myer states, “Only a single die was used by Litografia for each denomination over a period of some nine years suggests that, in contrast with the lithographic procedure employed by Arango from 1904 to 1907, the Litografia followed the method of deriving the impression on the stones from metal dies.”
With respect to perforation, Myer wrote, “The Litografia employed perforating machines that produced perforations of two sizes: one which is somewhere between 13 and 13.5, which I prefer to call 13.5 for it seems nearest to that, and the other 10. Both sizes were undoubtedly used simultaneously because both were recorded soon after the stamps were issued and because a considerable number of the types exist with the two sizes compounded.” (Note: My collection includes a Litografia Nacional 1c stamp with what appears to have “sewing machine” perforations.)
With respect to paper and color, Myer wrote, “In a considerable number of cases the printing from a new setting was accompanied by a change of paper and to a lesser extent by a variation in color. This is particularly true of the 2c stamp. Thus the identification of the type of a particular specimen is aided by the two variables of paper and color in addition to those of spacing and guide lines. After a little experience, the philatelist should be able to classify any specimen quite readily.”
Myer’s article concludes with a two-page identification matrix which I will post pending permission from SOR management.
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re: Colombia: The Numerals issues
This is very interesting. I would like to see the identification matrix.
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