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Between 1853 and 1858,
all Official correspondence was carried free within the Philippines as long as it bore an
official impression stamp-seal on it, with the sender's name, title, and name
of the Province marked thereon. However, in a Decree dated February 24, 1858, this was altered.
Following this Decree, all Official correspondence between the capital, (Manila), and the provinces,
(and vice-versa), had to be franked with an Official Stamp. This also applied
for Official mail between the Philippines and Spain.
As a result, the 1855
Official stamps of Spain were sent and
received by the Postmaster General of the Philippines in the following
denominations and quantities:
Media Onza (½ Ounce). A total of 30,000
stamps were received in Black on Yellow.
Un Onza (1 Ounce). A total of
90,000 stamps were received in Black on Red.
Cuatro Onza (4 Ounces). A total of
40,000 stamps were received in Black on Green.
Un Libra (1 Pound). A total of
20,000 stamps were received in Black on Grey-Blue.
The "Value
Inscription" on these stamps is actually the weight of the mail in
ounces and pounds for which they were valid, (1 libra equal to 16-onza).
The stamps were issued
in Spain on January 1, 1855, engraved by Jose Perez Varela, and
typographed at the Fabrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre, Madrid. The design consists
of the Arms of Spain and Bourbon in an oval, surrounded by an oval design of
spandrels, surmounted by the Royal Crown. The words "CORREO" and
"OFICIAL" appear at the top, with the value, (weight), at the
bottom.
These stamps would
have continued in use either until supplies were exhausted, or when the
Official Stamps were withdrawn in September 1866, in common with Spain itself and her
colonies. Only copies with clear cancellations emanating from the Philippines should be collected,
as these stamps were simultaneously in use in Spain and her colonies.
Note:
1) The 1991 Edifil Specialised Catalogue indicates that only the Media Onza,
Un Onza and Cuatro Onza values were used.
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