The two pairs of stamps, above and below, Philippines Scott #86, representing King Alfonso XII, 12-4/8 Centimos Bright Rose (issued July 19, 1882), together provide a scarce example of the "GOBIERNO POLITICO MILITAR DE BOHOL" cancel used by the government of Bohol during the later years of Spanish-era Philippines.
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| Enhancement of cancel showing GOBIERNO POLITICO ... BOHOL |
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines. To the west of Bohol is Cebu, to the northeast is the island of Leyte and to the south, across the Bohol Sea is Mindanao.
During most of the Spanish era, Bohol was a part of the residencia of Cebu. By the middle of the nineteenth century, an important administrative shake-up occurred in the Philippines, with the creation of the politico-military provinces. On July 22, 1854, Bohol was made, together with the island of Siquijor, into a separate politico-military province. In 1879, when a census was held, Bohol had 34 municipalities and a total population of 253,103 people.
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| Enhancement of cancel showing GOBIERNO ... MILITAR DE ... |
Spanish rule came to an end in April 1899. In that year, after winning the American-Spanish war, the U.S. 'bought' the entire Philippines for twenty million dollars. The Spanish left the island, and Bohol became a "Gobierno de Canton," run by important Boholanos as part of the independent republic proclaimed by Emilio Aquinaldo.
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| Reconstructed GOBIERNO POLITICO MILITAR DE BOHOL cancel |
