Colonial Philately: Philippine Postage Stamps, 1854–1946 (SB)

During the centuries of Spanish rule in the Philippines, the introduction of adhesive stamps and prepaid postage was a catalyst in the development of a modern postal system. Today, stamps from the past carry unique insight into the culture and society to which they were issued, as well as the economic and practical realities of their times. Through stamps and other philatelic materials, we glimpse the ways in which Spanish, American, and Japanese authorities have endeavored to assert influence and control in the country, as well as the Filipino native response, resistance, and compromise.

Colonial Philately: Philippine Postage Stamps, 1854–1946 presents the country’s history as gleaned from the stamps issued and used during the Spanish and American colonial periods, the Philippine Revolution, the Commonwealth era, and the Second World War, as well as examining the system of postage in the centuries prior to the invention of stamps. Through narrative and descriptive prose, author Jose Eleazar R. Bersales lays out a chronology of Philippine stamps, interweaving details on the various issues and variants with historical background, anecdotes, and supplemental sections that provide a human dimension and create a well-rounded picture of the eras discussed. Definitives, commemoratives, impresos, certificados, postage dues, airposts, semipostals, souvenir sheets, essays, special delivery, officials, postmaster’s provisionals, and local revolutionary issues, as well as telegraph and revenue stamps used for postage during the Spanish period, are all presented in a manner engaging to general readers and experienced philatelists alike.

Richly illustrated with images from philatelic collections, this book provides a distinctive and fascinating perspective on the vicissitudes and victories of the country’s long colonial history leading up to its independence.

Description: 240 pages : color illustrations ; 30 x 23 cm

Language: English

ISBN 978-971-97-0813-1