Expreso Colombiano (Ribon)

Rainer's Pages for
Colombian Semi Official Stamps,
Colombian City Post Stamps
and
Semi-Official Express Companies

The latter was daily service in 1931 and by August of that year he had reached out to Cucuta but it is not known exactly when he started nor whether the extension, too, was daily.

At first letters on the Cali - Bogota run were carried by air but this infringed SCADTA’s monopoly so that had to be abandoned after very few letters have been flown and the service continued by motor bus.

The firm apparently started out as Julio G. Ribon & Hijos (I.E. & Sons) and apparently principally as baggage agents, in which field they were later quite prominent but soon took the title of „Expreso Colombiano del Pacifico" with the family name appended.* This „Del Pacifico" always struck me as being somewhat curios since, so far as I know, they never extended their activities nearer the Pacific Ocean then Cali; in fact, Cali and Bogota are the only two place names on that map which has to become the standard type of adhesives. Another „proof" is that „Express Coy’s (usually Tobon) even when past over to Ribon for on-carriage to Bogota.

This "receipt" is dated June 8, 1914, long time before Ribon has issued their first stamps. Any information regarding the receipt would be highly appreciated.

Perhaps, some such thoughts occurred to Ribon for soon „Del Pacifico" was dropped from the title although for a long time afterwards the two names seem to have been used indiscriminately.

These names incorporated in handstamps were used as (dated) cachets where no adhesives were used and as cancellors of adhesives when those where affixed. Later these oval ovals were replaced by a variety of double-lined circles of which „Conducto Ribon" was the main feature; the date was included in the middle but at the bottom was „Correo Diario" „Correos - (placename)" or „Correos-(placename).

There as one exception (know to me) to the oval type and this was too gave prominent to the family name. I have only seen one example and that was for APULO.

The first issue (1923) was a imperforated issue, printed by ARCONVAR. It contained two stamps, nomination each 5 centavos, blue. No image so far....

The second issue (1925) consisted of two stamps as well, maybe you can consider them as labels only... round in shape, nomination 5 centavo, green-blue and 20 centavo (red), the later one was for registered letters. Again, no image yet...

The third issue (1925) was a provisional issue, but printed for this purpose. Only one stamp, a 6 centavo blue and red stamp with a diagonal "PROVISIONAL" print. (Temprano No. 5)