ALFONSO XIII - BABY HEAD stamps of the PHILIPPINES
Catalogue
1c issues
1892 1c violet
Cliché Type II, Gum Type A.
Sheets of 100 (10 x10) inscribed MUESTRAS DE MEDICAMENTOS 100,000 from 1,000 sheets issued 1 January 1892
Generally the colour of this issue has been described as violet, although Hanciau (1905) records it to be “violet brown” and Edifil along with the early versions of Scott a “brown violet”.
Bartels et al (1904) describe a “dull violet” and "pale dull violet" colour shades. The pale violet shade (#01a) is reasonably well distinguishable to warrant its inclusion in specialised listings.
#MP01 1c violet and #MP01a pale violet shade variety
The 1c denomination stamps did not appear until 1892 and were created from a new die (i.e. cliche type II). Most catalogues record an issue date of 1 January 1892 although Harradine (1987) suggests that the date was later in February 1892.
The denomination was described by the words, “UN C.” (one centavo) rather than numerals as used in all the other values of the babyhead series. The sheets were headed “MUESTRAS DE MEDICAMENTOS” that is, for medical samples; and the interior postal single rate for such items up to 20grams in weight was 1c.
The 1892 1c issues are commonly found with a worn or partially missing oval frame on the right hand side.
Peterson (PPJ 2005-1) recorded a partial double transfer of "PESO" and the scroll in the lower right corner. Double transfers are reasonably common on many of the Babyhead issues.
Edifil: #92 brownish violet ‘violeta castano’ (1891-93)
Scott: #140 violet (1 Jan 1892)
SG: #176 dull violet (1892)
Peterson, D. 2005. Unusual Printings and Other Odd Ball Variations of the 1890s Issues. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 27 no 1, pp 4-7.
Palmer, M. 2019. Constant Flaws in the 1891-1897 Babyhead issues – an update. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 41 no. 3, pp 5-11
1894 1c rose (rose carmine)
1895 1c rose (rose pink)
Cliché Type II
Sheets of 100 (10 x10) inscribed MUESTRAS DE MEDICAMENTOS
1894: Normal paper, gum Type B: 5,000 from 50 sheets issued 1 January 1894
1895: Thin semi-transparent paper, gum Type B/clear gum: 15,000 from 150 sheets issued 25 April 1985
The description of these two 1c rose issues and the later 1897 1c claret issue have been variously confused in historical and some modern catalogues.
Mencarini (1896) described the 1c rose issues as follows:
#200 carmin oscuro (deep carmine) on thick paper issued 1 Jan 1894
#210 carmin palido (pale carmine) on thin paper issued 25 April 1895
Vives (1894) appears to be the first to describe the stamps as "rose" (actually 'rosa vivo' vivid rose) and later Bartels et al (1904) describe a variety of shades: "rose, rose carmine, bright rose carmine and rose-pink"
#MP2 1c rose (1894) #MP3 1c rose (1895)
Palmer (1912) suggests that the cause of confusion between the 1c claret and the 1c rose stems from the description provided by Mencarini.
Early catalogues described the colour as "carmine" - Scott (1895), Cotter (1897) and Hanciau (1905) or "red" - Galvez (1898).
The description of "carmine" by Mencarini also perhaps led Bartels et al (1904) to record the later 1897 1c claret issue, (in their catalogue, = 1c ‘lake’) as being issued on 1 Jan 1894, and for both the thick and thin paper varieties of the 1c rose to be issued on 25 April 1895. The 1897 1c claret is not described by Mencarini as the issue post-dates the publication of his work.
Palmer (1912) continued to list the two 1c rose stamps as issued on 25 April 1895 but includes the footnote that the thick paper variety is likely the January 1894 issue of Mencarini.
This early confusion in issues and dates has led to further discrepancies arising in catalogues. Harradine (1984) suggests the date of issue for both of the 1c rose issues (i.e. thick and thin paper) to be 25 April 1894. Edifil and Scott do not differentiate between the two 1c rose issues and currently record the date of issue to be 1894, although early Scott catalogues record an issue date of 1895. Stanley Gibbons record the date of issue of a 1c rosine as 1 Jan 1894, and a 1c carmine lake on 25 April 1895, although this latter description may represent the 1897 1c claret issue.
Palmer F, notes that as Mencarini was in Manila in 1895 to 1896 and had access to the official records, it would be incredible that his data could be entirely wrong and hence concluded that there must have been some issue of the 1c stamps on the 1 January 1894. The London Philatelist (December 1894) also records “two new values of the Baby type. 1c de peso, carmine” (along with the 25c deep blue). Supporting an 1894 issue date.
Peterson (PPJ 2009-4) describes two covers and a used stamp which are postmarked 1894. The first cover (form Lingayen to Alaminos, Zambales) is dated 16 October 1894 and an earlier cover from Dagupan to Lingayen dated 6 March 1894. Peterson is therefore led to conclude that the date of issue of the 1c rose was likely to be 1 January 1894. In my collection, I record a postally used example of the 1c rose issue date 15 May 1894, to further support this conclusion.
Postally used example 15 May 1894, supporting an 1894 date of issue for the 1c rose
Returning to Mecarini’s description we therefore appear to have a rose coloured issue in a deep shade on thick paper and a pale shade on thin paper. Bartels et al (1904) describe the examples on thin paper to be "rose pink" in colour.
However, in practice, there are a variety of shades in existence and although some examples exist on thinner, semi-transparent paper, the shade of these stamps is similar to those on non-transparent paper. Postally dated examples from late 1895 do not appear to be notably different in shade from those of 1894. From the reported numbers issued of each printing it might be expected that paler shades would be more predominant but that is not generally the case. Therefore, although these issues can be found in a range of shades and paper types the description of shade and paper type is unlikely to be a reliable method to differentiate the possible two printings.
Edifil: #109 rose ‘rosa’ (1894)
Scott: #141 rose (1894)
SG: #188 rosine (1 Jan 1894); SG record #188a carmine lake (25 Apr 1895) although this is probably the 1897 1c claret
Peterson, D. 2009. Scott #141 – The 1 Centavo Rose Stamp Was Issued in 1894. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 31 no. 3, p 15.
Palmer, M. 2019. Constant Flaws in the 1891-1897 Babyhead issues – an update. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 41 no. 3, pp 5-11
1896 1c blue green
Cliché Type II, Gum Type C.
Sheets of 100 (10 x10) inscribed MUESTRAS DE MEDICAMENTOS
20,000 from 200 sheets blue green issued 1 January 1896
20,000 from 200 sheets dark blue green issued October 1896
Bartels et al (1904) record a considerable range of colours and shades of this issue “emerald-green”, “bright blue-green”, “blue-green” and “pale blue-green” together with mention of a second issue in a darker shade released in October 1896. Given the range of shades described the identification of a dark blue green shade represented the later printing is far from certain.
#MP4 1c blue green
Shade varieties of 1c blue green
(Bartel et al mentions “emerald-green”, “bright blue-green”, “blue-green” “pale blue-green” and a "darker shade"
Sheet header inscribed "MUESTRA DE MEDICAMENTOS" - 100 stamps per sheet
Some rare gum varieities of the 1c blue green issue have also been recorded:
"Specimen" with gum type B
smooth gum
Edifil: #121 green ‘verde’ (1896-1897)
Scott: #142 blue green (1896)
SG: #197 emerald (1 Jan 1896)
Peterson, D. 1999. First and Second Printings of the 1890-1896 Postal Issues. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 21 no. 3, pp 9-15.
Palmer, M. 2019. Constant Flaws in the 1891-1897 Babyhead issues – an update. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 41 no. 3, pp 5-11
1897 1c claret
Cliché Type II, Gum Type D.
Sheets of 100 (10 x10) inscribed MUESTRAS DE MEDICAMENTOS unknown quantity 20,000 issued April ? 1897
As noted previously the description of the 1897 1c claret has variously been confused with the two 1c rose issues in historical and some modern catalogues.
Descriptions of colour comprise either "lake", "carmine" or "claret". Bartels et al (1904) describe shades of "lake" and "deep lake"
#MP5 1c claret
Many of the early catalogues such as Mencarini (1896) were published prior to the issue of the 1c claret. The Madrid Filatelico (June 1897) notes the issue of a 1c carmine stamp and Galvez (1898) records a 1c carmin issued in 1897. The London Philatelist (December 1894) records a “new value of the Baby type "1c de peso, carmine” although this seems likely to be the 1c rose issue and in a later volume the London Philatelist (July 1897) notes that “the 1c has changed colour” and lists a 1c de peso carmine issue.
In the early 20th century many philatelists in Manila considered the 1c claret as an error in colour on the 1c violet, with the 1c rose being a later issue. However, Palmer (1912) noted that the position of flaws within the plates suggest that the 1c violet and 1c rose had similar plate settings which were later modified for the 1c blue green and 1c claret which were therefore later printings (note that current studies inidcate that the 1c claret has a different plate setting thant he 1c blue green).
The gum in this issue has a Gum Type D, comprising a smooth non-cracked gum, displaying some lines across the gum but not as wavy or as distinct as Type B.
Adding to the degree of uncertainty that surrounds the issue of this stamp is that used copies with clearly dated cancellations are so very scarce as to have prevented the date of issue being as yet to be definitely settled. It is possible that this issue was a small one, and that practically all of it was purchased and laid away as a speculation, which would explain why so few used copies are found and also why it is now much less scarce than formerly.
Peterson (PPJ 2006-4) recorded an earliest reported postmark for the 1897 40c dark violet issue as 26 April 1897 and suggests that this may be coincident with the 1c claret.
The number of stamps issued is uncertain, Harradine (1987) suggests 5,000? although no source of this information is provided. Palmer (PPJ 2022-1) provided evidence that more than the suggested 50 sheets had been issued with a sheet numbering of 92 recorded, suggesting perhaps 100 sheets (or 10,000 stamps.) New information found reported in the Madrid Filatelico (November 1898) suggest that 20,000 stamps were issued.
Specimens with left and bottom selvedge signed as examined and conforming [to specification requirements] by the head of negotiations
Edifil: #122 carmine ‘carmin’ (1897)
Scott: #143 claret (1897)
SG: not listed although SG list #188a carmine lake (25 Apr 1895) which is probably the 1897 1c claret
Palmer, M. 2015. Cliché types in the Babyhead Issues. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 37 no. 1, pp 32-34.
Palmer, M. 2019. Constant Flaws in the 1891-1897 Babyhead issues – an update. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 41 no. 3, pp 5-11
Palmer, M. 2022. Clarifications for the 1897 1c claret and description of a new Gum Type. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 44 no. 1, pp 20-23.
Peterson, D. 2005. Unusual Printings and Other Odd Ball Variations of the 1890s Issues. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 27 no 1, pp 4-7.
Postal Usage
Rare Circular Manila date stamp [15 May 1894] on 1c rose - early usage
Correos circular date stamp [December 1895] on 1c rose
Registration circular "Correos de Filipinas" cancel (Peterson Type 4) on 1c rose
Correos circular Manila date stamp [1896] on 1c blue green
Registration circular "Correos de Filipinas" cancel (Peterson Type 4) on 1c blue green in dark violet ink
Registration "Certificado" cancel (Peterson Type 6) on 1c claret
Catalogue
Postal Issues
Newspaper Issues