Venezuela – 1859-1939 issues

 nearly complete 

Issues up to 1870 have been forged.


 * In 1859, tiny stamps showing the arms of Venezuela were issued, inscribed CORREO DE / VENEZUELA. This is the fine impression issue, with very fine and clear lines in the background of the shield.
 * In 1860, a coarse impression of the previous issue was released. There are usually dividing lines between stamps but these can be trimmed off often enough.
 * In 1862, a coat of arms design was issued.
 * In 1863-64, a crude eagle design was issued, with FEDERACION at top.
 * In 1865-70, a new square arms design was issued with inscriptions in an octagonal frame.
 * In 1871-76, a Bolivar portrait in oval within a frame design was issued and used both postally and as revenues. There is a continuous two-line inscription in tiny letters reading "Bolivar Sucre Miranda Decreto de 27 Abril de 1870" or "Bolivar Sucre Miranda Decreto de 27 Junio de 1870". These are typically found pen cancelled which can mean either type of use.
 * In 1873, ealier square arms designs were overprinted with "Estampillas de Correo" and "Contrasena" in two spaced lines of timy letters.
 * Stamps were also overprinted "Contrasena" and "Estampillas de Correo" in two spaced lines.
 * Stamps were also overprinted "Estampillas de correo" (note lower case) and "Contrasena" in two spaced lines of timy letters.




 * In 1879, new Bolivar designs headed ESCUELAS were issued. They have a two-line control overprint reading "Decreto de 27 Junio 1870" close together with one line inverted. Pen cancels were used both postally and fiscally. Handstamp cancels are very scarce and have been forged.
 * In 1880, similar designs were issued without control overprint, now perf 11. Again, pen cancels were used both postally and fiscally.
 * In 1880, new lithographed Bolivar designs were issued, perf 11, for foreign postage. These have been commonly forged including in unlisted perfs and colors.



 File:Venezuela escuelas.png|1882 5c domestic postage File:Ven 1b fgn roul.jpg|1887 1 bolivar foreign postage, rouletted File:Venez 1893 25c.jpg|1893 25c foreign postage
 * In 1882, engraved designs of Bolivar facing to left were issued, inscribed CORREOS DE VENEZUELA. Each value had a different frame. These were intended for foreign postage.
 * In 1882-88, engraved designs of Bolivar facing right were issued, inscribed ESCUELAS ("schools"). Again, each value had a different frame. These were intended for domestic postage and revenue service. Pen cancelled stamps are revenues.
 * In 1887-88, four values from the two previous issues were printed in lithography, perfed or rouletted.
 * In 1892, four values each from the foreign and domestic issues were surcharged with a round violet handstamp reading RESOLUCION DE 16 DE OCTUBRE DE 1892. Forgeries exist.
 * In 1893, various stamps from the foreign and domestic issues were overprinted with a coat of arms and burelage. Overprint forgeries exist particularly of the errors.
 * In 1893, a new design was issued with Bolivar in profile facing to the right. Stamps are only inscribed CORREOS along with denominations. These were again intended for foreign postage.
 * Also in 1893, a design was issued with Bolivar in profile facing to the left, inscribed INSTRUCCION. These were again intended for domestic postage and revenue use. Pen cancelled stamps are revenues.



 File:Venezuela instruccion.jpg|1900 1 bolivar "INSTRUCCION" (trimmed at right) 
 * In 1893, a 25c Columbus commemorative was issued. It was inscribed CORREOS DE VENEZUELA.
 * In 1896, a map design was issued. Genuine stamps are on very thin and translucent pelure-like paper. Forgeries are very common.
 * In 1899-1901, a new Bolivar design was issued with "CORREOS DE VENEZUELA" in a scroll at top.
 * In 1900, the previous design was overprinted with a control of a ribbon and branch design inscribed "RESELLADA" and "R T M". The errors have been forged.
 * In 1900, the 1899 design was overprinted "1900".
 * Again in 1900, a different control overprint was issued with a "Castro" signature.
 * In 1911, new designs were issued with portraits of Miranda, Urdaneta or Bolivar. They were printed in two steps so the frames can be slightly different colors vs. the vignettes.
 * In 1926, two small revenues were surcharged "CORREOS" with new values.


 * In 1915-23, new engraved designs of Bolivar were issued, with different frames. These were inscribed "CORREOS / E.E.U.U. DE VENEZUELA" and in perf 12 (printer: American Bank Note Co.). In 1924-39, it was issued in perf 12½ (printer: Waterlow and Sons) with some values in perf 14.
 * In 1930, biplane and map design airmails were issued.
 * In 1932-38, previous Bolivar designs were issued on Winchester security paper.
 * In 1932, biplane and map designs were also issued Winchester security paper.
 * In 1937, a lithographed pictorial series was issued along with airmail designs.
 * In 1937, surcharged biplane and map airmails were issued.
 * Later in 1937, the pictorial stamps were overprinted "RESELLADO / 1937-1938" including airmails.
 * In 1938, a long pictorial definitive series was issued, including airmails.



See
[[Category:V]]
 * Venezuela, a disambiguation page
 * 1940 issues to date