This 1927 aerophilatelic card and cover represents an elaborate SCADTA (Sociedad Colombo-Alemana de Transportes Aéreos) round-trip flight concoction between the United States and Colombia, utilizing a hinged "lift-up" outer sheath mechanism with pre-affixed return postage.
Outbound Postal Mechanics: Dispatched on April 30, 1927, from Kansas City, MO (Air Mail cancellation), the outbound voyage was directed to Frank Mitchell Wright in Bogotá, Colombia.
U.S. Airmail Franking: 10¢ blue Map & Airplanes issue (Scott #C8) paying domestic Contract Air Mail (C.A.M. 3 / Transcontinental route) to New York.
SCADTA Air Fee: 30¢ blue SCADTA issue with black "E.U." (Estados Unidos) consular overprint for U.S. validation (Scott #CL42), tied by the classic oval "SOCIEDAD COLOMBO-ALEMANA DE TRANSPORTES AEREOS / BARRANQUILLA" datestamp alongside a green and white "FROM BARRANQUILLA VIA COLOMBIAN AIR MAIL" etiquette.
Transit Markings: Features purple and red Colombian postal registry boxed cachets, Barranquilla transit marks (15.V.1927), and an arched magenta "RETURN TO SENDER" handstamp.
Return Flight & Lift-Up Under-Cover: To facilitate an automatic return without requiring the local Colombian postmaster to supply stamps, an overlay covering was affixed over the return address. Typed instructions beneath the paper sheath instruct:
"RETURN INSTRUCTIONS. Postmaster-Bogota, Colombia. Tear off this covering. Postmark stamps and send via Air Mail to destination. DON'T BACKSTAMP HERE."
When lifted, the underlying return card reveals pre-franked postage for the complete journey back to the Forest Hotel at 1300 Forest Ave in Kansas City, Missouri:
U.S. Return Franking: Horizontal pair of 15¢ olive brown Map & Airplanes issues (Scott #C9) with right sheet selvage plate number 18746.
SCADTA Return Franking: 20¢ carmine red and 50¢ blue SCADTA issues with "E.U." overprints (Scott #CL40, CL44).
Transit & Arrival Handstamps: Heavily struck with authentic transit markings, including circular datestamps from Bogotá (18 MAY 1927), the Ministerio de Correos y Telégrafos, Barranquilla Rebuts, New York, N.Y.(MAY 28), and red double-circle registry strikes.
Both the outbound face and the inner return face are adorned with the distinctive red woodcut monoplane cachet inscribed "AIR MAIL / INCLUDE STREET AND NUMBER IN YOUR MAIL ADDRESS." Complete with intact flaps, crisp impressions, sharp etiquette labels, and vivid consular overprints, this is a museum-grade showpiece of early Latin American aviation, U.S. Contract Air Mail, and specialized SCADTA postal history.
Estimated Value: Intact round-trip U.S.–Colombia SCADTA flight covers featuring multiple "E.U." consular overprint issues (Scott #CL40, CL42, CL44), U.S. map airmail plate number pairs, and fully intact dual-layered instructions are highly prized by aerophilatelic specialists.
