ALFONSO XIII - BABY HEAD stamps of the PHILIPPINES
Forgeries
Reprints
Both historical and modern catalogues note the existence of forgeries which use the orginal handstamp and describe these as ‘reprints.’
However, forgeries using forged handstamps rather than the original handstamp also exist and add to difficulties in cataloguing these so-called reprints. In addition the reprints are generally described as with a violet-black ink, although this is contrary to what is observed, with most reprints using a violet ink, the only exceptions being the possible trial sheet and those applied to the 1882 issue.
It has been suggested that the reprints were likely produced in Manila as “favours” shortly after the Spanish period (probably in 1899). However, it appears that the reprints were in existence by October 1897. The reprints were possibly produced as favours or perhaps to provide collectors with examples of stamps that they were unable to acquire, or that they were produced in error.
In October 1897, an account in the Madrid Filatelico indicated that the magazine had just received stamps that had been validated for use (Habilitado) in the Philippines. The account goes on to report that after the surcharges had been applied, the handstamps that were sent for this had been scratched to prevent new surcharged stamps from being made.
Original Handstamp on similar base stamps to postal issues
Violet surcharges (Type A0, B0 and C0) original handstamp
Bartels et al (1904), Galvez (1944) and Scott (2020) report a 20c surcharge on 20c dark violet “reprint” using original handstamp in violet-black ink – but not yet seen.
A 15c violet black surcharge is also reported on the 15c rose. It is common to find 15c with a mixture of violet and black ink and these are occasionally described as reprints. However, these probably are not reprints and part of the orginal printings using an aniline ink
Violet and black surcharge with aniline ink
Original Handstamp on non-standard base stamps compared to postal issues
Violet surcharges (Type A0 and C0) original handstamp
Original Handstamp on 25c brown possibly from proof sheet (dark violet ink)
Dark violet surcharges (Type A0, B0 and C0) original handstamp - closest representation to violet black found on trial proof but also as singles
Note that it seems likely that although there are examples from the trial/proof sheet that many of of the 20c surcharges are from a seperate, but related forgery.
Original Handstamp on 1882 5c grey blue
Some 30,000 to 40,000 of this stamp were surcharged by mistake but were not put into circulation. When Spanish rule ceased these stamps were withdrawn from the storehouses and then came upon the market.
Red surcharge (Type A0) original handstamp; with variations in appearance, red to mottled red and grey-black ink
To add further intrigue, the reprints are known to exist on cover. The cover is a registered letter from Manila to Madrid. There is a receiving stamp on the rear dated 20 October 1897, providing further evidence that the reprints were in existence by October 1897.
It seems possible that the letter was franked to provide philatelic interest. The recipient was the Duke of Tetuan, Carlos o’Donnell, who was Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs up until 4 October 1897. It is speculated that the sender attached the re
last updated 25 April 2024
prints inverted to indicate their non-postal status except that the 20c black on 20c violet stamp was inverted by mistake instead of the 20c violet on 25c brown.
Soler y Llach 2024 auction (Antonio Cuesta collection)
last updated October 2024
Forgeries
Babyheads
Surcharges
Overprints
Essays