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This blog shares my stamp collections and highlights individual items which I feel might be of interest to others.

While my focus is on the stamps of the Philippines, you will find classic stamps, aviation covers, postal history, and many others included.

I hope you enjoy my blog, and please visit often!

Dedicated to Almira and our children, Jimmy, Ana, Lance, and Isabella.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

SPANISH PHILIPPINES - 5 CUARTOS, "CABEZA GRANDE" (Large Head) ISSUE of 1855, Type 1

5 CUARTOS, "CABEZA GRANDE" (Large Head) ISSUE of 1855
(Philippines Scott #6; Edifil #5) USED. Vermilion. Type 1.
VERY SCARCE THIS NICE!
Printed in blocks of four types; with each stamp surrounded by a frame line. A total of 5,000 stamps, (1,250 of each variety), were printed.  The stamps were lithographed on medium to thick, white wove paper by the firm of Plana, Jorba y Cia, Manila.  On this issue, the inner circle is broken by the labels at the top and bottom of the stamp.

SPANISH PHILIPPINES - 1 REAL FIRST ISSUE of 1854, USED. Pale Blue Grey. Position 38

1 REAL FIRST ISSUE of 1854
FINE ENGRAVING, thin paper
(Scott #4; Edifil #3b) USED. Pale Blue Grey. Position 38.
with bottom margin
SCARCE!

SPANISH PHILIPPINES - 5-CUARTOS (ISS. OF JAN.1863) OVERPRINTED "HABILITADO POR LA NACION" with municipal crown cancel "DIST. DE YLOYLO, MOLO"

5-CUARTOS (ISSUE OF JAN. 1863)
OVERPRINTED "HABILITADO POR LA NACION" AND ISSUED JAN. 24, 1872
(Philippines Scott #30; Edifil #20H) USED
This stamp displays a portion of the scarce municipal crown cancel "DIST. DE YLOYLO, MOLO"
"In early 1872, five obsolete values were overprinted "HABILITADO POR LA NACION" in black and issued. By that time, the first printing of the 1871 issue was sold out, and new supplies from Spain were not available. Therefore, the authorities were once again forced to seek recourse to this measure, surcharging the remaining stocks of stamps at hand, and re-validating them for postal use."  (Ref. Nigel Gooding's website, "SPANISH-PHILIPPINES PHILATELIC SITE", at http://nigelgooding.co.uk/)
 
Molo is one of the six districts of Iloilo City, in the Philippine province of Iloilo. It was built by Spaniards and was formerly called the Parian (Chinatown) due to its large number of Chinese residents and their business establishments in the area at the time. Its name was later changed to Moro during the frequent arrival of Muslim pirates from Mindanao until it later evolved into Molo. It is also home to the historic Molo Church (St. Anne Parish) which lies in front of the town square. (Ref. Wikipedia, photo from www.visita-iglesia.com)