“The postage stamp is a flimsy thing
No thicker than a beetle’s wing
And yet it will roam the world for you
Exactly where you tell it to.”
– Edward Verrall Lucas
Philately is the study of postal history or collection of stamps and other related materials. I know of only one person who collects stamps, and to some extent, coins. This person is Jed, the most organized person I know. According to him, stamp collecting is a dying hobby. Based on his experience in buying stamps, younger people tend to sell stamp collections they inherited from their grandparents rather than continue them. I asked him if I could feature part of his collection of Philippine stamps on this blog to promote it to my three readers. 🙂 He acceded. He gave me free rein in taking copies of his Periodic Collection of Philippine Stamps. The word “periodic” means “as they are released”. I am posting the stamps in chronological order.
As I looked through the stamps, I realized that stamp designs have evolved over time. In the Philippines, the postal office has deemed it fit to include a wide variety of images – from the most powerful people in Philippine presidents to the government employees- and events – from oath taking of presidents to mourning their deaths. Moreover, health campaigns, commemorations of important historical days and tourist spots were also featured, and rightly so. My favorites are the orchid collection, coats of arms (Iloilo is included) and Famous Filipino Series (when being famous meant doing something integral for the development of the country). These stamps reflect the sentiments of a Philippine society that is barely identifiable in present time.
More on Jed’s stamp collection here.
Periodic Collection of Philippine Stamps. Periodic means “as they are released”.
Philippine Stamps: Philippine Independence, Martyrdom, President Manuel L. Quezon, President Roxas Oath, and 1947 Regular Issues.
Philippine Stamps: Quezon-Roosevelt, ECAFE Imperforate, Postage Due, and Quezon Miniature Sheet. A miniature set costs more than regular stamps.
Philippine Stamps: Special Delivery, FAO. Dr. Jose Rizal, Roxas Mourning, and Official Business of 1947 Regulars.
Philippine Stamps: Boy Scouts (Perforated and Imperforate), Sampaguita and Booklet Pane.
Philippine Stamps: Universal Postal Union, UPO Souvenir Sheet, Tirad Pass, Jaycee, and Air Mail.
Philippine Stamps: Forestry Issue, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Air Mail.
Philippine Stamps: President Quirino Taking Oath, Jose Rizal Surcharged Stamps, Baguio Conference, and War Widows and Veterans.
Philippine Stamps: Peace Issue Perforated and Imperforate, City Coats of Arms (Manila, Cebu, Zamboanga and Iloilo).
Philippine Stamps: United Nations, Human Rights and Famous Filipino Series.
Philippine Stamps: Official Business, Philippine Education System, Indo-Pacific Fisheries Council, and Panapex.
Philippine Stamps: Wright Park, Francisco Baltazar, International Fair, President Sukarno Visit, Philippine Medical Association, Boy Scout Jamboree, and Second Asian Games.
Philippine Stamps: Philippine Postage Stamp Centenary, Air Mail, 1954 Manila Conference, Kawit Independence, Marian Year, Honoring Labor and Rotary International.
Philippine Stamps: President Ramon Magsaysay, Aviation Heroes (Lt. Jose Gozar, Lt. and Fernando Basa), Liberty Well, WCOTP, Philippine Red Cross, Leyte Landing, and Santo Tomas University.
Philippine Stamps: Feast of Sacred Heart Centennial, Surcharged City Coat of Arms, Girl Scouts, Magsaysay Mourning, Juan Luna Painting, First Philippine Assembly, and University of the Philippines.
Philippine Stamps: President Carlos P. Garcia, 1958 Anti-TB Semi-Postal, Manila Cathedral, Surcharged Del Pilar Stamp, Bulacan Provincial Seal, Surcharged War Widows and Veterans, Philippine Flag, and Capiz Provincial Seal.
Philippine Stamps: 1959 Anti-TB Semi-Postal, Baguio City, Bacolod City Seal, SEATO, and Maria Cristina Falls.
Philippine Stamps: Souvenir Sheet Commemorating the 10th World Jamboree.
Philippine Stamps: Ateneo De Manila Centenary, Constitution of the Philippines, Surcharged Rizal Monument Stamp, Philippine TB Society, World Refugee Year, Philippine Air Force, and 1960 Anti-TB Semi-Postal “Help Prevent TB”.
Philippine Stamps: Surcharged Stamps, Cut Imperforate UPU Stamos and 1960 World Olympic Games.
Philippine Stamps: President Dwight D. Eisenhower State Visit, Manila Postal Conference, Second National Boy Scout Jamboree, and Dr. Jose Rizal Centenary Issue.
Philippine Stamps: La Salle College, 15th Anniversary of the Philippine Republic, Colombo Plan and Government Employees.
Philippine Stamps: Special Delivery, Surcharged TB Stamp, Philippine Orchids Perforated, Philippine Orchids Setenant Blocks (Set of Four), Perforated and Imperforate, and President Macapagal Taking Oath.
Philippine Stamps: 1962 – 1964 Famous Filipino Series and Gawaing Opisyal Overprints.
Philippine Stamps: 1962 Anti-TB Semi-Postal, Malaria Eradication, Diego Silang, Surcharged Regulars and Arphex.