Queen Isabella II
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This issue, a set of two
values, was lithographed by the firm of M. Perez y Hijo, in Manila; the
design of which is similar to the 1856 issue, except that the upper label
reads "CORREOS INTERIOR" and the lower label contains the word
"FRANCO" and the value, (5 Cs or 10 Cs). Generally speaking,
but with exceptions noted later, the stamps were printed in cliches or blocks
of four varieties, each block being surrounded by an outer frame line; with
each stamp measuring 18½ x 23½ mm. Note: Juan Mencarini
indicates that these stamps were issued in April 1859.
DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN THE FOUR VARIETIES Of the four varieties
in the normal block or cliche, it may be said that they may usually be
distinguished, where the margins are sufficient, by a portion of the outer
frame line and the inner crossed lines between the stamps, indicating from
which corner of the block the copy came. Moreover, the ornament in the
vertical side labels are interrupted differently in each type by the circle
surrounding the pearls. Further differences, for both the 5-cuartos and
10-cuartos values, are as follows: UPPER LEFT OF CLICHE (TYPE 1) The circle around the
portrait consists of 71 pearls. One pearl, (slightly below the middle on the
right side), is generally (though not always) missing. The "N" of
"INTERIOR" is below the level of the "I" and
"T" adjoining it. UPPER RIGHT OF CLICHE (TYPE 2) The circle around the
portrait consists of 71 pearls, with none missing. The "N" of
"INTERIOR" is of an even height. LOWER LEFT OF CLICHE (TYPE 3) The circle around the
portrait consists of 65 pearls, with none missing. LOWER RIGHT OF CLICHE (TYPE 4) The circle around the
portrait consists of 67 pearls, with none missing. Usually, though not
always, there is a white blur below the "N" of
"INTERIOR", and a scratch, which is sometimes quite faint, crossing
the fillet in the hair and extending to between the "R" and
"E" of "CORREOS".
5-CUARTOS 5-cuartos, with a total of
15,000 stamps were issued in shades of vermilion, scarlet, and orange. (Scott #10,#10a and #10b; SG #13, #15, and #16; Edifil #7, #7a, #7b)
a.
Thick white or yellowish Wove paper, (orange, vermilion).
b.
Rough white or yellowish Ribbed paper,
(orange, vermilion). c.
Ordinary, medium, white or yellowish Wove
paper, (scarlet, dull orange) d.
Thin white, yellowish or bluish Wove paper,
(orange, vermilion, scarlet). SHEET COMPOSITION There were five distinct
lithographic stones used in the various printings of the 5-cuartos value, and
they are described briefly, as follows: First Stone. This stone produced
sheets of 56 stamps (8 horizontal rows of 7 stamps each). Each sheet
contained 12 blocks of the four types (3 horizontally and four vertically),
and four vertical pairs at the right of the sheet, in which the types
appeared in the following order from top downwards: 1, 3, 2, 4, 1, 3, 2, 4. Second Stone. This stone produced
sheets of 56 stamps as above, the only difference is in the appearance of the
vertical pairs to the right of the sheet, in which the types appeared in the
following order from top downwards: 1, 3, 2, 4, 2, 4, 1, 3. Third Stone. This stone was put in
use in 1859, probably by July 1st, and produced sheets of 192 stamps,
arranged in four panes of 48 stamps each. Each pane consisted of 8 horizontal
rows of 6 stamps; hence, constituting 12 complete blocks of the four
varieties. Fourth Stone. In 1860, a fourth
stone was prepared and produced sheets of 130 stamps arranged in 13
horizontal rows of 10 stamps each. The first 12 rows were composed of 30
complete blocks of the four varieties; the 13th (bottom) row contained 5
horizontal pairs in which the types appeared in the following order from left
to right: 1, 2, 3, 4, 3, 4, 1, 2, 1, 2. Fifth Stone. In 1861, a fifth
stone produced sheets exactly like those from the fourth stone except that in
the 13th row, the types appear in the following order from left to right: 3,
4, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2. The fourth and fifth
stones were produced despite a Royal Ordinance of 10-CUARTOS 10-cuartos, with a total of 3,000
stamps were issued in shades of rose and lilac-rose. (Scott #11; SG #14; Edifil #8 and #8a)
a.
Thin to thick smooth white Wove paper. b.
Thick yellowish Wove paper. SHEET COMPOSITION The 10-cuartos value
seems to have been printed entirely from the one stone, prepared in 1859 along
with the first stone for the 5-cuartos value. The arrangement of the stone is
exactly like that of the first stone for the 5-cuartos except as to the order
in which the types appear in the vertical pairs at the right of the sheet.
For the 10-cuartos, this order, from top downward, is: 1, 3, 1, 3, 2, 4, 2,
4. The 10-cuartos stone
was prepared by the transfer of the normal (5 Cs) design to the stone, then
removing the "5 Cs" and replacing it by "10 Cs" and
retouching the stone by hand.
VARIETIES AND ERRORS 5-Cuartos. A used vertical block
of six of the 5-cuartos stamp exists with a watermark consisting of a fancy double-lined
A, a period, and a portion of a second letter that looks more like an F or
probably a P or a B.
10-Cuartos. A constant variety
exists on the 10-cuartos value, being a period or stop between "10"
and "Cs". This constant variety occurs on the 38th stamp in the
sheet, (third stamp on the sixth row).
10-Cuartos. A constant variety exists
on the 10-cuartos value, being a dot in the background to the left of the
bust of Queen Isabella. This constant variety occurs on the 48th stamp in the
sheet, (sixth stamp on the seventh row).
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