Queen Isabella II
February and March 1863
Early in 1863, a
provisional issue became necessary due to the approaching exhaustion of the
supply of the 1-real and 2-reales values of the 1856 issue, and the immediate
necessity for stamps of this denomination. Because in the main, the 1-real
and 2-reales values issued in January 1863 were for domestic usage, and were
also the wrong colours for foreign mail, (under the International
Convention), the authorities, unable to await fresh supply of stamps from
Spain, were forced to order stamps made and printed in Manila. A report of this fact
was made to the Spanish Authorities at The design of this
issue was intended to resemble that of the 1856 issue, but the stamps were
hastily and poorly made and are very crude accordingly. The stamps were
lithographed by M. Perez y Hijo in There is but one type
for this issue, though many minor differences may be noted between individual
copies. Friederich and Hanciau agree that the design consisted of two parts -
an outer frame and a vignette - which were placed successively on the stone so
that one printing completed the stamp. As minor variations would naturally
occur in placing the vignette within the frame after the latter had been
transferred to the stone, there are probably as many varieties as stamps to
the sheet; which most authorities indicate to be 50, (five rows of ten stamps
each).
1-real. A total of 7,000
stamps printed in grey-green and issued in February 1863. Printed on smooth,
thick, white to yellowish paper. The impressions are sharp and clear. (Scott #18; SG #24; Edifil #15) 1-real. A total of 5,000
stamps printed in dark grey-green and issued in March 1863. Printed on
smooth, thick, white paper. These impressions are generally defective, owing
to the ink being too liquid. (SG #23; Edifil
#15a)
Note: Authorities tend to
disagree with the actual first day of sale for this issue, as follows: 1) One Printing -
February 1863: 2) One Printing -
March 1863: Mencarini, (1896); Bartels, (1904); and Palmer, (1912) 3) One Printing - 4) Two Printings -
February and March (?), 1863: Hanciau, (1905) |
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