Introduction
Without intending to be exhaustive, this introductory article deals with a little studied and less known subject, the issues of variable value stamps in Colombia.
The issues shown below are halfway between what we know as mechanical franking and variable value stamps or ATMs. They are postal impressions produced by the Hasler and Pitney Bowes franking machines installed in post offices, although not printed directly onto the postal item but on illustrated/pictorial labels or with a security background. This type of label was usually used for the immediate franking of non-standard items, not accepted by the franking machines, such as large envelopes, packets or items in plastic bags. Although on some occasions they were also printed and distributed to post offices to be sold as ‘traditional stamps’ with indefinite validity.