1949: library rebuilding semipostals

The first semipostal stamps of the Republic era were issued on April 1, 1949 depicting past directors of the National Library (Epifanio de los Santos, Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera and Teodoro M. Kalaw), the frontispiece of Doctrina Christiana, and the title page of Noli Me Tangere.

Quantities printed:
4c+2c black (1,000,000)
6c+4c purple (600,000)
18c+7c blue (400,000)

In 1953 excess stocks of all three values were burned by the post office, as follows:

4c (762,092)
6c (454,774)
18c (270,570)

Printing method: Engraved
Printers: American Bank Note Company
Perforation measurement: 12
Unwatermarked paper

The surtax (amount after the plus sign) went to the Library Rebuilding Fund for war-damaged public libraries.

[Data taken from various sources.]