1907
Bureau of Insular Affairs Special Printing
1907, 1c-$5.00
Philippines Overprints, Bureau of Insular Affairs Special Printing (226SP,
228SP-240SP, J1SP-J7SP). Blocks of four, lightly hinged, deep rich colors
on bright paper, few minor imperfections to be expected incl. few minor
perf separations or toned spots, $5.00 separated along horizontal perfs
and rejoined
FINE-VERY FINE
APPEARANCE. A REMARKABLE SET OF BLOCKS OF THE 1907 BUREAU OF INSULAR AFFAIRS
SPECIAL PRINTING. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF PHILIPPINES PHILATELY.
Little is known
about these special printings. An article in a 1938 edition of The Philatelic
Gazette reproduces a letter from the War Department's Bureau of Insular
Affairs regarding an inquiry into these special printings. The letter notes
that "In May 1907, the bureau had printed one hundred sets of each denomination
of stamps formerly used in the Philippines -- that is United States stamps
surcharged across their face with the word 'Philippines'. These stamps
were printed at the suggestion of the United States Post Office Department
for the purpose of supplying requests, which were then frequent, for specimen
Philippine stamps. Of the one hundred sets printed, seventy-five were delivered
to the Post Office Department for distribution, and I am unable to say
whether that department now has any of them". According to the article,
the 75 sets received by the Post Office department were turned over, intact,
to the National Postal Museum. (Robert Siegel Auction $32,500.00) |
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