Colombia-Panama Philatelic Study Group, was founded in July 1983, the 200th anniversary of the birth of Simon Bolivar, the liberator of Colombia and its first president.  COPAPHIL is affiliate #142 of the American Philatelic Society since August 1985.  The purpose of COPAPHIL is to promote the philately of Colombia and Panama. 

Last Updated February 4, 2013

ANOUNCEMENT:

• Unsold lots from the last mail auction are available for purchase at the minimum bids.
  
  
  
• A new link has been added to the Resources section – Dr James B. Helme The Panama Register Cover Collection


• A new link has been added to the Resources section – Previous COPACARTA publications are now available as pdf files.


• COPAPHIL will be meeting at Chicagopex 2012, November 16-18. It is a Latin American Philatelic Fiesta with meetings also being held by Chile, Cuban, Peru, Brazil and Nicaragua specialist groups. COPAPHIL is pleased to announce we will have a special presentation on Saturday November 17 at 1:30 pm by Santiago Cruz. He will speak on “SCADTA’s First Issues, A Traditional Approach to Airmail Stamps.” Further information about the show can be found at www.chicagopex.com.
  


• A new link has been added to the Resources section – There are two additions to the Resources Section - a listing of Colombia Stamp and Postal Stationery Printers (1865-1983) and a compilation of Colombia Varieties (1918-1973). Both of these listings were compiled by the late Bob Mitchell who co-authored the Colombia/Panama Bibliography COPAPHIL published in 2001. That Publication is out of print.


• A new link has been added to the Resources section – Stamps of Panama by Patrick Lamastus. There is extensive content of both stamps and postal history. Of particular note is the section of Panama recorded covers of the Colonial Period and 1821-59.
  


• Congratulations to members for the outstanding showing at the August APS Stampshow in Sacramento. Showing their Grand Award exhibits in the Champion of Champions competition were:
  • Colombia – The Department of Antioquia 1886-1904 - Santiago Cruz
  • United States of Colombia 1858-1881 – Alfredo Frohlich
  • The Panama Canal Story – Ray Ireson
  Additionally, in the open competition were:
  • SCADTA Correspondence 1923-1929 – Manuel Arango, Vermeil
  • SCADTA’s First Issues A Traditional Approach to Airmail Stamps – Santiago Cruz, Gold
  • SCADTA’s Postal Routes 1923-1929 – James C. Johnson, Gold and American Airmail Society Award
  • SCADTA Fourth Issue – James C. Johnson, Vermeil
  • Pre-stamp Mail from the Region of Antioquia Between 1786-1865 - Alejandro Ortiz
   
• The June 2012 issue of COPACARTA has been issued.
  Articles include:
  • AR Service in Colombia and Panama 1903: Some additions
  • US of Colombia Designs of 1868-70 Composite Die Proof
  • COPETRAN Another Private Carrier?
  • Large Panama Hoard Contains multiple David Bisects on Cover and Capt Bass Wrappers
  • El Gran General Tomas Cipriano de Mosquera Takes on Queen Victoria
  • Quantities Issued of Boyaca Stamps from 1903
  • Andes to Barbados via Buenaventura in 1911
    
  
  
• COPAPHIL will hold its 2014 meeting at WESTPEX, April 25-27, 2014.
  
  
• PANAMA POSTAL MARKINGS HANDBOOK, 2d EDITION:
  The second edition of the Panama Postal Markings Handbook, by Jim Cross, is now available. This edition includes additional markings and revised dates of use for markings which were not in the first edition, which contained markings used through 1950. In addition it contains markings used from 1950 thru 1980. It contains 320 pages with 2329 markings. It will be printed by the same printer who prints and distributes COPACARTA and will be printed upon demand. The largest section is devoted to town postmarks, 1029 markings on 130 pages. The next largest section is devoted to registration marks, 390 markings on 57 pages.
  
  The book will be delivered comb bound. The following are postpaid non-member prices. Paypal fees are included in overseas pricing.  Members may order a copy at a $10 discount. This is a significant member benefit so please consider joining us.
• For mailing by media mail within the United States $35.00 (add $3 if paying by Paypal)
• For mailing to Canada and the rest of the world $50
• Payment must be made in US dollars drawn on a US bank or by Paypal.
• To order, contact Allan Harris, 26997 Hemmingway Ct, Hayward, CA 94542-2349 or copaphilusa@aol.com.


• The Smithsonian National Postal Museum Library has several resources for the Colombia/Panama Student.
  A summary of pertinent resources has been created to highlight these resources. Please note that their new website is still being developed and you may find changes.
  
  
• The latest exhibit page was added on May 18, 2011. Click "Exhibit" at the left to see our latest featured exhibit and the previous exhibits.
  It is hoped that we can add at least 2 new exhibit pages every month. We need your help to make this happen. Please send scans (jpg of at least 150-dpi) to the webmaster (email address on Contact page) of your best exhibit pages or of other special items of interest. Thanks for your help.
  
  
• A new Handbook is available "The Stamps of Panama 1878-2007: Vital Statistics"
  

160 pages of vital information including postal rates, authorization decrees, and numbers printed

The book will be delivered comb bound. The following are postpaid non-member prices. Paypal fees are included in overseas pricing.  Members may order a copy at a $10 discount. This is a significant member benefit so please consider joining us.
• For mailing by media mail within the United States $35.00 (add $3 if paying by Paypal)
• For mailing to Canada and the rest of the world $50
• Payment must be made in US dollars drawn on a US bank or by Paypal.
• To order, contact Allan Harris, 26997 Hemmingway Ct, Hayward, CA 94542-2349 or copaphilusa@aol.com.
  
  
• Visit Jim Cross' exhibit Colombia Postal History 1886-1899  

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