Subject Specific Bibliography “Stamps of the 1863 issue”

 

A compilation of subject-specific articles which mention the 1863 issue held in the Spanish-Philippine Annotated Philatelic Bibliography, compiled 25 February 2025.

The compilation does not include where the subject is mentioned in more general catalogues or in auction catalogues.

Collectionneur de Timbres-Poste. (1897c). Timbres rares que nous avons en vente. [Rare stamps that we have for sale]. Le Collectionneur de Timbres-Poste no 196, p56. (in French).

The sale items include the 1863 issues 1r violet and 2r blue surcharged with Habilitado por la Nacion.

Collectionneur de Timbres-Poste. (1897g). Timbres rares que nous avons en vente. [Rare stamps that we have for sale]. Le Collectionneur de Timbres-Poste no 199, pp. 142-143. (in French).

Sale items include issues from 1863, and 1880 and 1886 telegraph issues.

Doctor Thebussem & Mariategui, E. (1871). (Segunda edicion de) Kpankla (y primera de) Klentron, Cartas philatelicas de Doctor Thebussem y Don Eduardo de Mariategui. [Second edition of Kpankla and first edition of Klenton, Philatelic letters of Doctor Thebussem and Don Eduardo de Mariategui]. 64pp. (pp.15-20 & 38-40) publ Madrid. (in Spanish).

The first edition of Kpankla was issued as Pardo de Figuero (1870a). In Kpankla Section 4 (p16) mentions the scarcity and high cost of 1r and 2r issues from 1854 to 1863 and notes that the “CORROS” error cannot be found at any price. Section 8 of Kpankla (p40) provides a table describing the comparative spread of correspondence between 1867 and 1869 in various countries, including the Philippines.

Eckhardt, W. (1949). A forgery of the 5 cuarto vermillion issue of 1863 of the Philippines. The American Philatelist, vol 62 no 4, p289. (January 1949).

Section from a larger article titled “The underworld of stamps”. Illustrates and describes a genuine example and a deceptive forgery of the 1863 5c issue. A useful comparison.

Gooding, N. (2002b). Queen Isabella II 1-real issues of 1863. Philippine Philatelic Society Journal, vol 21 no 2, pp. 1-4. (WN 64, August 2002)

Illustrations and description of the different 1863 printings also notes on forgeries.

Gooding, N. (2010b). Spanish-Philippine Specialised Catalogue Isabella II (1854-1864). Unpublished catalogue available from Spanish-Philippines Philatelic Site. 9pp. https://www.nigelgooding.co.uk/Spanish/Catalog/Volume-01-Isabella.pdf

Specialist catalogue listing including a number of varieties with cross referencing to Scott, Edifil, Stanley Gibbons and Michel catalogue numbers where applicable.

Gooding, N. (2021g). Nigel Gooding Collection - 1863. Downloaded 21 May 2021 from Spanish-Philippines Philatelic Site. 42 pp. https://www.nigelgooding.co.uk/Exhibits/NigelGooding/Isabella/1863.htm

Nigel Gooding’s Isabella collection of 1863.

Gooding, N. (2024l). Exhibit: Postal History of the Spanish-Philippines and the Philippine Rebellion, (Anonymous Collection). Downloaded 25 January 2025 from Spanish-Philippines Philatelic Site. 96 pp. https://www.nigelgooding.co.uk/Exhibits/Anonymous/Postal%20History/Postal%20History.htm

An anonymous collector’s exhibit providing a journey into the development and use of the domestic mail services in the Philippines during the Spanish period including stampless mail, stamped covers, official mail, postal cards and military mail. The exhibit was compiled by Nigel Gooding in July 2023 and updated September 2024. Archived in five parts:

·          Part 1

·          Part 2

·          Part 3

·          Part 4

·          Part 5

Graus, F. (1985). Manual de Consulta de Falsos de Espana - Series XIV. [Handbook of Spanish Forged Stamps – Series 14]. (pp. 41-45). publ. Graus, Barcelona, Spain. (in Spanish).

Series of self-contained pages each showing a large photograph of a counterfeit stamp with footer text describing overall characteristics of the printing and 4 to 7 numbered specific characteristics that can be used to uniquely identify the counterfeit. A transparency containing numbered arrows is provided to be placed on top of each illustrated counterfeit to point to the exact location of each identifying characteristic.

Series 14 contained forged postal stamps of the Philippines for Queen Isabela II.

Hill, P. (1937). Philippine Stamps - First Issues. A.F.F (Magazine of the Asociacion Filatelitca de Filipinas), vol 2 no 4, pp. 3-5.

Account of the setting up of the early mail service and the first 1854 stamp issue. Discusses the printing in 1863 by La Ilustracion Filipina of Scott #14 to 20. Provides an account of the retail of stamps in Manila outside of post offices but these stores were abolished in 1870. Notes that there were 28 post offices in the Philippines in 1875. The editor notes that the author has passed away.

The section of this article on the Spanish-Philippines is reprinted in Hill (1938).

Jacob, N. (1983). Spanish Philippines 1854-1898 from the collection of Nestor Jacob. unpublished photocopy, 211pp. compiled by Linda Stanfield, April 1983. (in Spanish).

Photocopies of Nestor Jacob’s extensive collection. It includes complete and reconstructed sheets of the 1854 issue. The scans are of low quality but provide a useful reference for provenance on many covers and larger blocks. Archived in six parts:

·          Part 1 – Queen Isabella (62pp)

 

Lang-Valchs, G., & Gooding, N. (2019b). The first modern stamp album – a handbook for detecting fakes and forgeries. The case of the Philippine stamps, Part 2. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 41 no 2, pp. 5-13.

Describes the work of Placido Ramon de Torres whose illustrations were used in stamp magazines and catalogues, but also used to create forgeries. Illustrates a number of Philippine examples. Issued in two 2010 parts, also see a revision provided by Lang-Valchs (2021) and a related article in Lang-Valchs (2022).

Lang-Valchs, G. (2021). Revising the Philippine forgeries. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 43 no 1, pp. 12-19.

Updating of an earlier two-part article by Lang-Valchs and Gooding and (2019a, 2019b) describing forgeries of Placido Ramon de Torres. Many illustrations of forgeries.

Larot, J. (2010n). 1 Real issue of January 1863, mint. Web blog page from Jim Jim JR’s Collections. (11 March 2010). https://jimjimjrscollections.blogspot.com/2010/03/spanish-philippines-1-real-issue-of.html

Illustration of this stamp.

Larot, J. (2010o). 1 Real issue of October 1863, mint. Web blog page from Jim Jim JR’s Collections. (13 March 2010). https://jimjimjrscollections.blogspot.com/2010/03/spanish-philippines-1-real-issue-of_13.html

Illustration of this stamp in emerald green and suggesting the colour shade is scarce.

Larot, J. (2010p). 2 Reales issue of January 1863. Web blog page from Jim Jim JR’s Collections. (13 March 2010). https://jimjimjrscollections.blogspot.com/2010/03/spanish-philippines-2-reales-issue-of.html

Illustration of this stamp.

Larot, J. (2010u). 5-Cuartos (Iss. of Jan.1863) overprinted "HABILITADO POR LA NACION" with municipal crown cancel "DIST. DE YLOYLO, MOLO". Web blog page from Jim Jim JR’s Collections. (23 March 2010). https://jimjimjrscollections.blogspot.com/2010/03/spanish-philippines-5-cuartos-iss-of.html

Illustration of this stamp and cancel.

Larot, J. (2011b). 1 real issues of February and March 1863. Web blog page from Jim Jim JR’s Collections. (15 August 2011). https://jimjimjrscollections.blogspot.com/2010/03/spanish-philippines-1-real-issue-of_8080.html

Illustration of examples from the two printings notes that the impressions are generally sharper and clearer on the February 1863 issue.

Lewis, G. (2020b). Exhibit: Philippines 1775-1878 mail routes and other postal history.  8 frame exhibit plus introduction. Downloaded 1 August 2024 from Spanish-Philippines Philatelic Site. 130 pp. https://www.nigelgooding.co.uk/Exhibits/GeoffreyLewis/Introduction.htm

Geoffery Lewis’ exhibit featuring 83 different mail routes and all known routes to each of Spain and Great Britain. Lewis provides an additional introduction describing the formation of this collection. The electronic version of the exhibit was compiled by Nigel Gooding.

Luspo, A. (2006b). Nigel Gooding’s Queen Isabella II Collection 1854-1864 Issues. Series of web pages updated 28 November 2006 (retrieved 6 October 2024) from The Philippine Philatelist web site: http://www.philippinephilatelist.net/Collections/Spanish/Gooding/Queen%20Isabella%20Introduction.html

Images presenting Nigel Gooding’s Queen Isabella II collection, comprises 72 pages. The second part describing forgeries listed as Luspo (2006c).

Mackay, J. (1972). The World of classic stamps. 334pp. (pp. 180, 182-183, 187, 317) publ. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York.

Chapter 5 describes the development of the postage stamp from the 1850s and includes descriptions and illustrations of the early Philippine issues, noting that the stamps were the first to be produced in Asia and generally represent unflattering profiles of Queen Isabella. A list of typical prices is provided.

Mackay, J. (2004). Spanish Philippines. Gibbons Stamp Monthly. Vol 34 no 9 pp 60-62 & contents page. (February 2004).

An illustrated description and discussion of the Spanish-Philippine stamps (illustrations include a number of pairs and blocks). The contents page of the magazine includes an illustration of a pair of the 1863 1r issue.

Pemberton, E. (1865). The stamps of the Philippine Islands. The Stamp Collectors Magazine, vol 3, p143. (1 September 1865).

In a letter to the editor, a list of the Philippine issues as compiled by the author is provided (updates and references a well-known paper by Mr Herpin). An interesting early listing.

Peterson, D & Moodie, J. (1983). Identification of the 1863 Philippines 1 Real issue. Collector’s Club Philatelist, vol 62 no 2 pp. 70-73.

Discusses the confusion experienced by collectors of the Philippine 1863 1r issue with the Cuba 1857 1r issue and provides a guide to distinguishing these two issues.

Peterson, D. (1998h). Some stamps I do not have and maybe why. IPPS Newsletter vol 18 no 4, p12. (WN 58).

Discussion on four stamps Scott #15, #61, #70 and #187, mainly in used state and noting that their catalogue values do not reflect the scarcity. The scarcity of #61 (including mint) is put down to the large numbers of forgeries. [It is possible that #187 is also confused with forgeries, and may not exist as a stamp, see Palmer (2025c)].

Peterson, D. (2012a). Spanish Philippine sheet configurations, 1854-1898. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 34 no 2, pp. 25-29.

Describes the types and sheet configurations for each stamp issue in table format. Includes illustrations of Scott #11 and Scott #157.

[There are inaccuracies in some of the sheet formats assigned].

Updates are provided in Peterson (2012b) and Peterson and Palmer (2019), also see Palmer (2024j).

Peterson, D. (2012c). The 10 rarest Spanish Philippines stamps. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 34 no 4, pp. 9-10.

A light-hearted discussion on what are considered rare stamps noting the criteria adopted was that were less than 5 recorded examples. Illustrations are provided of a couple of these: Scott #27A used and #30A mint.

Peterson, D. (2013e). Changes to Philippines in 2014 Scott catalogue, Volume 5. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 35 no 4, p27.

Report of text changes with the deletion of many previous colour variations, including modification to represent the most common colour (and will be carried over into the 2014 Scott Classic Catalogue. Provides an explanation of why some colour variations are not included.

Report of the principal value changes, the most notable being for Scott #25A mint, with only two values reported the value increased from $1,400 to $8,000.

Peterson, D. (2014a). Colour varieties reduced and cover values mixed in 2014 Scott Classic catalogue (1840-1940). Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 36 no 1, p27.

Report that many colour variations were deleted for Scott #1-7 and also elsewhere, some of the colour varieties had values assigned to pairs and blocks that are known do not exist. Note that the colour variation Scott #2a was erroneously deleted and will be reinstated. Comment that Scott #11 on cove increased from $800 to $2000 as only two known. One of these is illustrated. Other prices changes are described.

Peterson, D. (2015e). Spanish Philippines. Philatelic gems. Don Peterson collection. 32pp. pamphlet prepared for NAPEX 2015.

An illustrated pamphlet highlighting scarce philatelic gems from Don Peterson’s collection.

Peterson, D. (2016b). Philippine text and value changes in the 2016 1840-1940 Scott Classic Specialised catalogue. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 38 no 1, p16.

Important changes included the reinstatement of Scott #2a that was inadvertently deleted from the 2014 and 215 catalogues noting that this change will appear in the 2017 Scott Vol 5 Catalogue (Scott 2017). The colour of Scott #5 was changed to slate green. A note “Only major varieties are listed. Colour varieties of most issues exist” was added after the 1890-1897 issues. A list of the main value changes is provided, and a used block of four Scott #11 is illustrated noting the value had increased from $150 to $1900.

Peterson, D. (2023). Exhibit: Postal history of the Spanish Philippines (Don Peterson collection). Downloaded 28 September 2023 from Spanish-Philippines Philatelic Site. 140 pp. https://www.nigelgooding.co.uk/Exhibits/Don%20Peterson/Postal%20History/Frame1.htm

Don Peterson’s collection of 1854-1898 covers, archived in five parts:

·          Part 1

Philatelic Record. (1883d). Some decrees and ordinances affecting the issues of stamps in the Philippine Islands. The Philatelic Record, vol 5 no 51, pp. 57-61.

Translated from a communication to the Philatelic Society, London

The Philatelist. (1868). Recent and undescribed emissions. The Philatelist, vol 2 no 17, p56. (1 April 1868).

Account from Timbre-Poste (1868) of 1863 1r deep bottle green with a description of the differences from the light green of similar value.

The Philatelist. (1869). Summary for 1868. The Philatelist, vol 3 no 28, p26. (1 March 1869).

Update to catalogue of Philippine stamps to include the 1863 1r deep green noted in The Philatelist (1868).

Philippine Philatelic Journal. (2012). Numerous changes in 2013 Scott catalogue, Volume 5, for Spanish and Republic period stamps. Philippine Philatelic Journal vol 34 no 4, p24.

Several changes were made to the Scott Catalogue in the Spanish period. The changes listed are mainly associated with price increases and reductions.

Prado, E. (1954). Compendium of Philippine postage stamps. In ’PHICIPEX Souvenir Book 1854-1954, Philippine Centenary International Philatelic Exhibition’ (pp. 42-49), publ. Philippines.

A summary of the postage stamps issued over this period, includes illustrations taken from Palmer (1912).

Tan, R. (2021). Exhibit: Philippine Pre-UPU Era, (Robert Tan Collection). Downloaded 28 September 2023 from Spanish-Philippines Philatelic Site. 80 pp. https://www.nigelgooding.co.uk/Exhibits/Robert%20Tan/Pre-UPU%20Era/Frame1.htm

Robert Tans’ collection of postage stamps and covers compiled by Nigel Gooding from Philpost Virtual Exhibits (2021) and archived in four parts:

·          Part 2 1857 Isabella II issue

 

Timbre-Poste. (1863a). Chronique. [Chronicle]. Le Timbre-Poste, vol 1 no 1 to 12, p13. (in French).

Account and illustration of existence of 1854 issue of 10c red. Report and illustration of the 1863 5c issue.

Timbre-Poste. (1864b). Chronique. [Chronicle]. Le Timbre-Poste, vol 2 no 16, p26. (in French).

Report of two 1 real stamps [of 1863 issues], one is bottle green and has the inscriptions described as ‘small capitals’ the second is meadow green with the inscription described as ‘antique’.

Timbre-Poste. (1868). Chronique. [Chronicle]. Le Timbre-Poste, vol 6 no 63, p18. (in French).

A retrospective look [at 1863 issue] of a 3rd type of the 1 real green. Description of: a rounded bust shape and further away from the circumference, CORREOS is neither preceded nor followed by a period plus other remarks.

Timbre-Poste. (1870d). Chronique. [Chronicle]. Le Timbre-Poste, vol 8 no 90, p47. (in French).

Report of notice that the 1r green of 1863 has been returned to use with the surcharge Habilitado por la Nacion. Note of gum type for the 1r stamp. Note that Pardo de Figueroa (1870) was correct in noting that the application of the surcharge, took place in the colonies themselves. A further note on this issue is provided in Timbre-Poste (1870f).

Timbre-Poste. (1874d). Chronique. [Chronicle]. Le Timbre-Poste, vol 12 no 140, p60. (in French).

Illustration of the 1863 5c pale vermillion issue and report that it exists with a Habilitado por la Nacion surcharge in black.

Timbre-Poste. (1894b). Chronique des decouvertes. [Chronicle of discoveries]. Le Timbre-Poste, vol 32 no 374, pp. 21-22. (February 1894). (in French).

Discussion and illustration of 1863 1r issue noting the observation that the pearl circle does not always occupy the same place at the top and bottom, although the type is the same for all the stamps. It is concluded that the stamp is composed of two parts. It is suggested that the lithographer used reference points marked with blanks, disguised by covering them with coloured number 1s. Consequently, there are as many varieties as there are stamps on the sheet, with bold and thin numbers, small, large straight and crooked.

Comparing these stamps with those of January 1863, it is concluded that the lithographer borrowed the effigy with its medallion.

It is commented that the first printing is remarkable in that the inscriptions are formed of relatively distinct letters with various printing defects in the letters noted. The paper used is described as satin white. It is listed as February 1863, 1r bottle green, Russian green, very dark blue-green.

A second printing is distinguished from the previous one by its Verdigris colour in varied shades, with the inscriptions very thin and badly places, suggesting it was carried out on a sperate plate. However, it is concluded that this not the case with the differences caused by using a too fluid ink. The paper is reported  to be the same as the first one and dated March? 1863 1r verdigirs, dark, pale, very pale.

It is noted that the system of modification had been deployed previously. For the January 1863 issue the 10c issue had used the transfer of the 5c, substituting the number 10 (and suggests in some examples the number 5 is visible between the 1 and the 0.

Also reports that for the 10c carmine issue two paper types are noted: white paper and a ‘fairly pronounced’ yellowish blue. Other details of the 1r and 2r issues are provided.

The series of articles on discoveries is continued for the Philippines in Timbres-Poste (1894f).

Viner, C. (1865a). Sketches of the less-known stamp countries - The Philippines Islands. The Stamp-Collector’s Magazine, vol 3, pp. 119-120. (1 August 1865).

Published in two parts. The first part mainly provides notes on the history and geography of the Philippines. However, interesting account of recent communication informing the destruction of the post office, all its stamps and dies during an earthquake reported to have been the most violent upwards of 200 years. [The earthquake referred to is the 3 June 1863, Manila earthquake].