EFO 1969 Jamboree overprint

red line variety

 

(top stamp of vertical pair) normal copy

(bottom stamp of vertical pair) red line variety

This EFO (red line over second NA of NATIONAL in the overprint) is listed in both the IPPS EFO catalog and Harradine's handbook as a constant variety in some sheets.

The base stamp was issued in 1966 and was overprinted in 1969.

DSC history

[This is taken verbatim from an insert to the DAVPEX '83 souvenir program.]

History of Davao Stamp Collectors

     It was on a day of love, February 14, 1982, when a group of friends gathered at the Europa  Law Office to form the Davao Stamp Collectors. Sharing a common love for stamps, they thought it significant to organize on Valentine's Day. The handful that were present listed down the names of their friends who were also collecting stamps and they promised to invite them to the next meeting. The turn-out of more members the next meeting showed the enthusiasm of the organizers to really establish a bigger and stronger club. Atty. Rodolfo Sarenas, former Davao City Mayor, who is himself an advanced collector, became the club's adviser. He conducted lectures  for the beginners and provided the stamps that were raffled among the members at every meeting. Soon, these raffles became the main attraction of the meetings.

     The members were not contented to meet once every three months. The beginners wanted to learn more from the more advanced collectors and the amateurs needed to exchange duplicates with one another. Other members simply must show off their recent acquisitions from international circuits. And so it came to pass that meetings were held every last Sunday of the month.

     One of the members, Orwin Austria, a high school student at the Ateneo de Davao University, was commissioned to form a chapter in his school. Not long afterwards, he became an adviser himself of the first school chapter in Davao City. Joy Platon of the Immaculate Conception College, High School Department, also recruited members from her school. They were accepted as junior members of the club.

     In the meantime, with the free publicity for the club provided by the Sunday Philatelist, Mr. Mandy Labayen in his column in the Sunday Express, more stamp collectors joined the club. Mr. Labayen, erstwhile President of Philippine Stamp Collectors, and Ms. Linda Stanfield of Spenders Philippines, Inc., in Manila provided the philatelic newspapers and materials which were the features of every meeting. Don Carlos Inductivo and his sons, Boy and Chuck, who sent congratulatory wishes to the club on the occasion of its formation, continued to give support to the members through the mails.

    Davao Stamp Collectors has contributed its share to international philately. Through Mr. Gustavo Ingles of the Philippine Philatelic Auction Club, it helped Mr. Gene Garrett of the International Philippine Philatelic Society with his research on issues of Philippine stamps used during the Japanese occupation with postal cancellations from Davao City.

     To celebrate its first anniversary, the members decided to hold this first philatelic exhibition and, to further impress its significance to the philatelic world, a souvenir card is being issued with a special cancellation mark.

     It is hoped that Davao Stamp Collectors will continue to promote philately in this part of the country and live to hold more exhibits through the years.

Davao Stamp Collectors

Yes, I was a member of the Davao Stamp Collectors.

Its name and membership card were patterned after the Philippine Stamp Collectors--even the logo, unknowingly, of Spenders got reproduced on the card!

Our organizational meeting was held on February 14, 1982.

Lawyer Virginia Europa (later a judge in the Regional Trial Court) had written to me on Feb. 8 asking if I could help her in forming the club. She said my name was given to her by Mandy Labayen of Philippine Stamp Collectors, so I suspect she had also written to the other two PSC members of Davao (Felisa Ong and Jerome Teodoro).

The meeting was held in the afternoon at the EDI Law Office (at the back of Mercury Drug) on San Pedro Street. About 20 collectors came, all eager to be charter members of the club to be called Davao Stamp Collectors. There was raffle at the end, with everyone taking home a philatelic item. Courtesy of our club adviser, former Davao City mayor Rodolfo Sarenas (1953-54), who had been a member of the Asociacion Filatelica de Filipinas, the subsequent raffles were something to look forward to in our meetings.

For the first and second regular meetings (April 4 and May 30), the venue was the same. Meetings were later conducted at the Art Centre Davao on Magallanes Street after Dr. Nicanor del Rosario Jr. enlisted as a member (he had his dental clinic inside the art gallery).

Copies of the 1982 Philippine Postage Stamp Catalogue and the newly published NU Stamp Album (for Republic issues) were made available to members. Later, at the Art Centre, packets of used Republic stamps in glassines were sold. I was told these came from the Inductivo brothers in Manila.

One time a fellow PSC member, who was on his way back home to General Santos City from Manila, dropped by during a meeting of the Davao Stamp Collectors. He said he pays for his transportation fare by selling stamps.

Of course, the highlight of the club's first year of existence was the holding of DAVPEX '83. This was supported by the Bureau of Posts in Manila who sent personnel from the Stamp and Philatelic Division. I remember two names: Adelina Argente and stamp designer Antonio Chuidian Jr. (who revealed to us that he was the model of the stamp design for the Government Employees Association Week issued in 1961--the set of two diamond-shaped stamps).

There was a student from the University of Southeastern Philippines who became a member of the club after DAVPEX '83. I think he was forming a stamp club in his university but I lost track of this activity.

In March 1985, Gene Garrett of the US wrote a letter asking for help in obtaining a particular Japanese occupation cover, with a Davao City cancel, for his collection. Happily, Dr. Nick del Rosario had that cover, and two others with Davao cancels, too.

On April 22, 1985, I said goodbye to Davao City.

I'll post the first year history of DSC next!

letter writing advocates

PRESS RELEASE: PHLPost Honors Letter Writing Advocates

November 27, 2015

As part of its fervent goal to promote the art of letter writing to the Filipino society, PHLPost recognizes the three of the award winning TV/radio shows for inspiring the public to express their ideas and stories through letters.

Postmaster General Josie dela Cruz revealed the three awardees, also dubbed as the Letter Writing Advocates: TV series Maalaala Mo Kaya, public affairs program Wish Ko Lang, and radio program Dr. Love.

“I believe that the invaluable contribution of our Letter Writing Advocates has inspired many Filipinos, especially the youth to engage more in letter writing activities that will not just communicate but also touch lives.” dela Cruz said.

The three awardees were chosen for supporting the art of letter writing by engaging its audience to tell their stories through letters and mailing it to their program.

Maalaala Mo Kaya is the country’s longest running drama anthology which showcases the real-life stories of viewers or celebrities through letter sending.

Meanwhile, Wish Ko Lang is the first wish-granting show on Philippine television, where wishes are sent through letters to the program, and the chosen ones are granted by the show.

On the other hand, Dr. Love Radio show is a counseling program where letter senders seek advice about their relationships with family and loved ones and receive enlightenment and guidance from the host.

This is the first time that PHLPost recognize the Letter Writing Advocates.

 Aside from them, PHLPost also honors its partners during the National Letter Writing Day Celebration which includes the Department of Education (DepEd), Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), and SM Supermalls.

By awarding the so called Letter Writing Advocates and Partners, dela Cruz hopes that it will boost PHLPost’s campaign to revive the art of letter writing, an act that offers a unique kind of experience that cannot be achieved by the modern technology.

back then 9

Stamp Clubs News

STAMPPS is the acronym for the stamp club of the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). It stands for Society for the Advancement and Modulation of Philately among PAECians. Club secretary Eduardo R. Mendoza reports that STAMPPS has, so far, conducted three auction sales, four philatelic lectures and one stamp exhibit at PAEC.
     Other STAMPPS officers for 1982-83 are Elmer C. Hernandez, president; Eulinia M. Valdezco, vice president; Jean M. Casyao, treasurer; Alexis D. Dandoy, auditor; and Norma L. Pablo, PRO. The club secretary may be contacted....

-o0o-

BRO. Jaime Dalumpines FSC of La Salle Bacolod reports that the Bacolod City Philatelic Club is rather inactive these days. According to BCPC secretary Clotilde Alcala, the reason for this is that many members are out of the country. Those Negrenses, really.
     BCPC president Jun Pefianco may be contacted.... Stamp collectors in Negros Occidental are encouraged to join the club.

-o0o-

In Davao City, the Ateneo Stamp Club was organized last June for grade school students [for high school, not grade school -- O.]. Student moderator of the club is Orwin Austria. The club officers for the school year are Virgilio Mababa Jr., president; Samuel Bangoy, vice president; Michael Ramos, treasurer; Regina Angeles, secretary; Noel Cespon, PRO, and Manuel de Luna, artist....

-o0o-

Philippine Stamp Collectors..., the stamp club that has no meetings and runs purely by mail, has recently inaugurated approval services for its members. The PSC now has over 125 members nationwide and has a full roster of club services. All stamp collectors, especially those in the provinces, are invited to join PSC.

-o0o-

Atty. Virginia Europa, president of Davao Stamp Collectors, reports on the club's efforts to hold a stamp exhibit at the Ateneo de Davao fiesta last Aug. 13-15: "We tried to make it as beautiful as possible only to be disappointed because, at the last minute, the Jesuits had to cancel the celebrations in the high school department due to several bomb threats they received several days before."
     Meanwhile, the DSC is gaining more and more members every time it holds its monthly meetings. Interested philatelists in the Davao area may contact....

-o0o-

The Philippine Philatelic Auction Club...has finally come out with a newsletter: Philippine Philatelic Auction Clipper with Felifranco R. Luto as editor/writer. This is part of the PPAC's activities for its fifth anniversary celebration which culminates on Oct. 9, its foundation day, with a non-competitive stamp exhibition.
     The PPAC is holding its regular auction at 1:30 p.m. today at the APPU-UPU conference room, 3rd floor, Bureau of Posts bldg. All stamp collectors are welcome. PPAC president Carlos Inductivo Sr. announced that the club's souvenir card and seals will be issued during the auction-meeting. These will be made available to members first for a nominal donation.
[Source: Sunday Philatelist by Mandy Labayen, September 12, 1982]

Philippine revenue stamps

Are you new to revenue philately?

This site provides a good introduction to the revenue stamps of the Philippines --

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revenue_stamps_of_the_Philippines

Check it out!

Pasko 2015

New Issue alert:

Pasko 2015

 

The Pasko 2015 Stamps, Souvenir Sheet and Official First Day Covers will be available starting November 25, 2015 at the Post Shop, Philately and Museum Division, Manila Central Post Office, Door 203, Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila and at all Regional Offices of the Philippine Postal Corporation. [press release added later]   PRESS RELEASE: Artworks of persons with autism seen in PHLPost 2015 Pasko stamps December 7, 2015 The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) released on Monday, Dec. 7, 2015 the “Pasko 2015” special stamps featuring artworks of persons with autism from Bridges Foundation, Inc., a school that provides education to children with special needs. PHLPost launched the stamps to coincide with the program called “Kapihan with stamp collectors” held at the historic walled city of Intramuros, Manila. “We would like to give emphasis to the artistic ability or the talent of persons with developmental disabilities and make it a point that their artworks will be featured in our Christmas stamp designs”, Postmaster General Josie Dela Cruz said. The block of four (4) stamps and souvenir sheets illustrates the spirit of the season characterized by the Christmas trees with colorful decorations and Filipino lanterns displayed at every home during the holidays which were hand drawn by Javee Fua, Kobie Trambulo, Vernice Prado, Lomi Capili, Cedric Chua, Julius Cabuang and Thirdy Cabading which are imprinted in the stamps. PHLPost printed 104,000 copies of the four designs of the Christmas stamps, with P10 denomination. PHLPost is hoping that through the stamps, they will be able to make the public aware of their responsibility in building a nurturing environment to hone the skills of these special children and become members of a productive community. In 2013, PHLPost featured works done by foot and mouth painting artists. In the same event, the program highlight the presentation of the 2016 Philippine Stamp Calendar with several new technologies in stamps featuring Philippine fiestas, traditional musical instruments, Philippine ternos, the Inauguration of the 16th President of the Philippines, Rio Olympics, Philippine treasures, Mars Ravelo’s Darna among others. PHLPost will introduce next year special circular stamps for the Olympics, stamps on silk, 3D embossing and spot lamination, Intaglio printing and gold foil 3D embossing to enhance the look and feel of the upcoming postage stamp issuances. This will also make the country's stamps at par with international standards. Dela Cruz added that PHLPost will continue to use modern printing technology to feature very interesting subjects for the stamps to further the appreciation of the public.

DAVPEX '83 printer's proofs

And these are the printer's proofs of the DAVPEX '83 souvenir card in blue and green.

The illustrated stamp (minus perforations) is that of the Tourism set of 1971 depicting "Cultured Pearl Diving In Davao Gulf." This used stamp illustration, however, has clearly an Ilocos postmark!

PPC emerald

A slogan cancellation for the 55th year anniversary of the Philippine Philatelic Club promoted philately once more in 1992.

Interestingly, the name of the club's founder is given in this cover: Severino N. Luna, who also founded the Philippine Philatelic Auction Club years later in 1977.

I wonder what the source of the cachet was.

EFO 1973 surcharge

                                                                      Normal Copy

                                                                     Shifted Overprint

My EFO discovery last Saturday: red overprint shifted to the right.

The base stamp was issued in 1964, overprinted in red in 1966, and surcharged in black in 1973.

This is unrecorded in the IPPS EFO catalog.

Oro Philatelic Club 2nd exhibit

This slogan cancellation for the 2nd Philatelic Exhibition of the Oro Philatelic Club held at Ateneo de Cagayan from December 8 to 9, 1956, was used only in Cagayan de Oro City.

Ateneo de Cagayan now is more popularly known by its university name, Xavier University. The name change happened in 1958.

AEROPEX '77

AEROPEX '77, a philatelic exhibition for aerophilately held from October 24 to 29 at Quezon City, was sponsored by the International Philippine Philatelic Society and co-sponsored by the Thomas Jefferson Cultural Center and the Pan American Airways.

A postal station was set up during the exhibit. The show cover is pictured here.

Philstamps auction November 2015

The Robert F. Yacano Collection of Spanish-Philippine stamps and postal history, Negros and La Union stamps, rare Aguinaldo material, US administration, Japanese occupation including prisoner of war mail, the Victory handstamps, Bandholtz overprints and Lambert imperfs, airmail and first flights, postal stationery, revenues, philatelic publications, Republic issues and much more will be offered in the Philstamps auction closing on November 23.

Go to this site now --

www.philstampsauction.com

Bob Yacano (1938-2015) was a Philippine specialist collector, and was the editor of the Philippine Philatelic Journal for a number of years.

National Philatelic Club

The pre-World War II National Philatelic Club of Bacolod advertised itself as "An International Society for the Promotion of Philately and its Allied Branches."

How about that!

loot

One of my all time favorite philatelic writers is Herman "Pat" Herst Jr. (1909-1999) whose works were to span generations of collectors from the 1930s to the 1990s.

In his memoirs as a stamp dealer ("Nassau Street", Amos Press, Ohio, first revised edition, 1988), he relates a story (pp. 128-129) that is of particular interest to Philippine philately, as follows.

"A few months after Japan surrendered, two soldiers came down the hall to my office dragging a heavy trunk along the stone floor. Panting, they pulled it into my office and asked me if I wanted to buy it. It was a solid mass of Philippine stamps, in full pads of sheets, all stuck together so tightly that they seemed like bricks, and almost as heavy.

"'They came from the Manila post office,' one soldier told me. All of Nassau Street knew of the burning and subsequent looting of the Manila post office. As the Japanese withdrew from Manila, they set fire to most of the government buildings. The post office conflagration was the biggest fire Manila had ever seen; it burned for three days. Hundreds of millions of stamps were destroyed; even larger quantities were water-soaked.

"The contents of the trunk consisted of 2-centavo and 4c values. There were hundreds of thousands of them. 'As long as you were getting stamps,' I asked, 'why did you have to take only the lowest values?' 'The colonel got there ahead of us; you should have seen what he took!'

"I felt sorry for the soldiers, having lugged about 300 pounds of stamps halfway around the world, across the Pacific, by train from San Francisco to New York, and then at the end of the trip finding it almost impossible to sell them, especially until soaked apart. The last I heard of the soldiers, they were dragging the trunk down the hall to other stamp dealers in the Morton Building. What they finally did with them I never knew."

(Amos Press is the publisher of Linn's Stamp News, the "World's Largest Weekly Stamp News and Marketplace" and a good source for articles written by Pat Herst.)

Jose Marco

A very interesting read!

Article by Paul Morrow, published on November 16 in Pilipino Express, about Jose E. Marco --

http://www.pilipino-express.com/history-a-culture/in-other-words/395-jose-marco.html

Excerpts --

"The historian E.D. Hester wrote to Marco in 1954 and pressed him to explain the contradictions in one of his latest alleged discoveries. Marco wrote back and said that he was not familiar with the historical details of the book in question and, like Hester, he could not understand its author’s confusion, either. Apparently Marco tried to buy Hester’s silence on the matter by enclosing a gift of four extremely rare and valuable wartime postage stamps. But this didn’t fool Hester because he had worked in the very government department that had issued the special stamps and he knew at a glance that Marco’s stamps were worthless fakes."

"After his mysterious education, Marco claimed he was, and perhaps he really was, a teacher from 1903 to 1910, a postmaster from 1911 to 1920, the secretary of a lending library in 1914, and an interpreter/clerk of court in Bacolod from 1920 to 1929. At some point he was also the president of a stamp-collecting group called La Sociedad Filatélica de las Islas Filipinas."

new issue bulletins back then

Can you imagine postal workers banging away at a typewriter to make new issue bulletins?

I've always wondered how the Stamp and Philatelic Division produced these bulletins on aerogrammes.

This particular one announces the issuance of the UST stamp set in 1956, the first Philippine issue to be printed in Switzerland.

business as usual

PRESS RELEASE: Business as usual, PHLPost Metro Manila Offices open in November 17 and 20

November 16, 2015

Need to send your letter or package, or expecting a mail during the long holiday this week? Worry no more as PHLPost Postal Offices in Metro Manila will be open on November 17 and 20, the two non-working days declared by the government in view of Philippines' hosting of APEC Summit.

Postmaster General Josie dela Cruz announced that operations of all post offices in Metro Manila will continue on November 17 (Tuesday) and November 20 (Friday), part of the four non-working days declared in Memorandum Circular 84 by Malacanang.

Dela Cruz added that post offices in NCR are "business as usual" on Tuesday and Friday, and all of the frontline postal workers and letter carriers are ready to serve those who will be sending and expecting mails and parcels.

PHLpost services include ordinary and registered mails , domestic and international express mails/pouch, parcel delivery, postal money order (paper-based and electronic), and bills payment.

Postal Offices will be open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

NSCM last year

Here's a news story about last year's National Stamp Collecting Month --

https://www.phlpost.gov.ph/whats-happening.php?id=3714

Excerpts --

"This year, PHLPost applied glow in the dark, scented, tactile, 3D embossed, goldfoiling, and diamond powder technology in printing its stamps."

"Starting next year, PHLPost will introduce metallic printing, special composite perforation, satin finish, thermal ink (color changing), and peel-off sticker stamps to enhance the look and feel of the upcoming postage stamp issuances. This will also make the country's stamps at par with international standards."

What can you say?