ALFONSO XIII - BABY HEAD stamps of the PHILIPPINES
Catalogue
5c issues
1890 5c dark blue
Cliché Type I, Gum Type A.
Sheets of 100 (10 x10) inscribed UNION GENERAL POSTAL 620,000 from 6,200 sheets issued 1 January 1890
The colour descriptions of this stamp are typically “indigo” or “dark blue”. Bartels et al (1904) also describes a “pale indigo” shade variety.
#15 dark blue
This is the first printing of a 5c stamp and was issued in 1890 for overseas postage and sheets include the inscription "UNION GENERAL POSTAGE". Hanciau (1905) erroneously indicated this issue was for inland (i.e. interior or CORREOS) postage; this error has been repeated by Harradine (1987).
Stanley Gibbons indicate that this issue was printed on thin paper and Galvez (1942) records the paper to be thin, semi-transparent. The paper type of this issue is generally thin compared to the paper used in later years. However, it is not as notably semi-transparent as for example the 5c slate green issue. Despite this, examples are known to exist on thin semi-transparent paper.
Shade varieties
Edifil: #82 dark blue ‘azul fuerte’ (1890)
Scott: #151 dark blue (1890)
SG: #165 indigo (thin paper) (1 Jan 1890)
1890 5c slate green
Cliché Type I, Gum Type A, - commonly occuring on thin semi-transparent paper.
Sheets of 100 (10 x10) inscribed CORREOS 120,000 from 1,200 sheets issued 1 January 1890
The colour of this issue is generally described as “slate green”. However, Mencarini (1896) described the colour as “olive green” (verde aceiluna) and the early Spanish catalogues describe the colour as “green grey”. The early Scott catalogues described the colour as “olive” and then “dark olive grey” before modifying it to the current description of “slate-green”. Bartels et al (1904) also describe a deep slate green shade variety.
#16 slate green
The 5c slate green issue was for internal postage (i.e. the sheet are inscribed CORREOS). However, Hanciau (1905) erroneously indicated that this issue was for foreign postage (i.e UNION GENERAL POSTAL). This error was later repeated by Harradine (1987) both who appear to have confused the usage and also the number of stamps printed for the two 1890 5c issues. Similarly, Galvez (1942) suggested that the sheets were inscribed ‘COMUNICACIONES’.
Stanley Gibbons and Galvez (1942) indicate that this issue was printed on thin paper. These descriptions are generally relative to the later 1894 issues which tend to be on thicker paper and the 5c slate green is on notable thin paper. Indeed it is common to find the 5c slate green issue occuring on thin semi-transparrent paper.
A number of catalogues record a 1892 5c “violet-black” or “black-violet” issue and where listed is associated with a high catalogue price. Peterson (PPJ 2008-3) considered that the descriptions related to the “deep slate-green” shade variety described by Bartels et al. (1904) Peterson estimated that approximately 20% of the 1890 5c slate green issue were of the dark slate-green shade variety.
Whilst it is true that a “dark slate green” exists and it is not particularly rare, and that many stamps offered for sale described as “violet-black” are indeed the 1890, 5c dark slate-green shade variety, it does not explain the high catalogue prices quoted nor the commonly attributed date of 1892-1893 for this so-called issue. Instead it appears that the violet-black or black-violet issue listed in catalogues is rather the 1892 5c lilac proof and is accordingly described elsewhere in this catalogue.
Examples of 5c slate green shade varieties
Edifil: #95 black green ‘verde negruzco’ (1891-1893)
Scott: #152 slate green (1890)
SG: #164 slate green, thin paper (1 Jan 1890)
Peterson, D. 2008. Does a 5-Centavos Violet Black ‘Babyhead’ Issue Exist? If So, Is It Rare?. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 30 no. 3, pp 24-28.
1891 5c blue green
Cliché Type I, Gum Type A.
Sheets of 100 (10 x10) inscribed CORREOS 20,000 from 200 sheets issued 20 April 1891
Mencarini (1896), Bartels et al (1904) and Palmer (1912) record a 5c blue green issued in 1891.
Scott's catalogues between 1892 and 1898 list a 5c olive brown issued in 1891; currently Scott only lists the 1896 5c blue green issue. Hanciau (1905) describes a 5c olive issued in 1891. Both Scott's and Hanciau's listing could represent the 1891 5c blue green or shade variations of the 1890 5c slate green.
The existence of the 1891 5c blue-green has not been confirmed and the above descriptions (from all authors) could be referencing the 1890 5c slate green or a shade variety of this issue.
Belin (1899) lists a 5c olive brown issued 1891-1893 and also records a 5c blue-green issued for the same period. It is possible that these listings represent the 1890 5c slate green and 1892 green issues or they could have simply been repeating other listings. It is noted that Belin does not provide a price for the 5c olive brown and therefore may not have seen examples.
Should the 1891 5c blue green exist it would be exepcted to be distinguishable from the other "5c green" issues by a blue-green colour and the presence of gum type A. Ideally an example would be found with the the sheet inscription "CORREOS" wich would clearly differentiate it from the 1892 5c green issues.
Mencarini (1896) and Bartels et al (1904) record the number of stamps issued as 20,000. Palmer (1912) reports the number as 240,000. However, since Palmer indicates his numbers are derived from Mencarini it seems likely that this is a typographical error. Therefore, the 1891 5c blue green is scarcer than the later 5c issues and this may account for the absence of confirmed examples.
Edifil: not listed
Scott: not listed (1895 catalogue lists #80 olive brown issued 1891)
SG: #171 blue green (20 Apr 1891)
1892 5c light chrome green
1892 5c sage green
Cliché Type I, Gum Type A.
Sheets of 100 (10 x10) inscribed UNION GENERAL POSTAL 300,000 from 3,000 sheets issued 1 January 1892
Cliché Type I, Gum Type A.
Sheets of 100 (10 x10) inscribed COMUNICACIONES - Union General Postal 240,000 from 2,400 sheets issued 1 January 1892
In 1892 two 5c shades of light green stamps were issued. One set had the sheet inscription “UNION GENERAL POSTAL” and the second set were inscribed “COMUNICACIONES-Union General Postal”.
With all the 5c green issues it is not unsuprising that the different issues are not commonly listed or are incorrectly described. Of the popular present day catalogues typically the two 1892 5c light green issues are not differentiated from each other and some catalogues combine the 1892 and 1894 issues as a single entry. Edifil appear to omit the issue of these 1892 issues and instead indicate the earlier 5c slate green to be issued in 1892 (and only record the issue of a 5c green stamp in 1894).
These two 1892 5c issues can be distinguished from the 1894 issues by the presence of gum type A.
Mencarini (1896), Bartels et al (1904) and Palmer (1912) are the primary authors who have reported the printing of the two 1892 issues.
The printing that is inscribed UNION GENERAL POSTAL is described to be a "light chrome green" colour. Mencarini also notes that the image [of the stamp] is "somewhat more basic" (compared to the other printing where the image is described to be "fine"). Similarly, Peterson (PPN 1987-1) describes the light chrome-green issue as having a ‘smokey’ appearance to the impression.
The second printing inscribed COMUNICACIONES-Union General Postal is described to be "deep chrome green" by Mencarini. Whereas, Bartels et al describe shades of "greyish green, pale greyish green and sage green" and similarly, Palmer notes the colour to be "grey-green, sage-green and shades". Palmer also notes that this issue is quite common and that the gum differs in that it has a smooth brown gum, rather than the ‘rust’ spotting more typical of gum type A.
#18 light chrome green (1892) #19 5c sage green (1892)
Edifil: not described / differentiated from 1894 issues
Scott: #153 green (1892)
SG: #179 sage-green (1 Jan 1892)
Peterson, D. 1988. Four-In-One: The 5c Green Issue of 1892. Philippine Philatelic News, vol 10 no. 1, pp2-4.
Peterson, D. 2019. Scott #153 – Four Different Printings of the 1890’s Green 5 Centavos, Spanish Philippine Postal Issues. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 41 no. 4, pp20-24.
1894 5c very pale green (emerald green)
1894 5c pale green
Cliché Type I, Gum Type B.
Sheets of 100 (10 x10) inscribed CORREOS 240,000 from 2,400 sheets issued 1 January 1894
Cliché Type I, Gum Type B.
Sheets of 100 (10 x10) inscribed UNION GENERAL POSTAL 200,000 from 2,000 sheets issued 1 January 1894
In 1894 two further 5c shades of light green stamps were issued. One set had the sheet inscription "CORREOS" and the second set was inscribed “UNION GENERAL POSTAL”.
As noted above, the different issues are not commonly listed. Of the popular present day catalogues typically the two 1894 5c pale green issues are not differentiated from each other and the Scott catalogue doe snot provide a seperate listing for either of the 1894 issues.
These two 1894 5c issues can be distinguished from the 1894 issues by the presence of gum type B.
Mencarini (1896), Bartels et al (1904) and Palmer (1912) are the primary authors who have reported the printing of the two 1894 issues.
The printing that is inscribed CORREOS is described by Mencarini to be "deep chrome green" in colour (that is, the same colour description as one of the 1892 issues). However, Bartels et al describes the colour to be "very pale green (emerald), and pale sage green" and similarly, Palmer notes the colour to be "emerald-green, sage-green and shades" (again note the similarity to the colour descriptions of the 1892 issues). Peterson (PPN 1987-1) describes the colour as so pale that the impression appears faded or washed out.
The second printing inscribed UNION GENERAL POSTAL is described to be "sea green" by Mencarini. Whereas, Bartels et al describe "pale green (shades)" but note that it darker and a different tint from the other 1894 issue. Palmer also describes the colour as "pale green and shades"
Stanley Gibbons and Galvez (1942) gnerally indicate that those issues printed in 1894 were printed on thick paper. These descriptions are generally relative to the ealier 1890 issues which tend to be on thinner paper and to a degree the 1892 issues. However, for the 1894 5c issue Galvez speciffically noted that it was printed on "thin" paper. IN genral this reflects that the 1894 5c issues are not ntable on thick paper and not easily differentiated from the 1895 5c green issues by paper thickness.
#20 very pale emerald green (1894), #21 5c pale green (1894)
very pale emerald green shade - washed out appearance
imperofrated proof of 1894 5c pale green
Edifil: #111 light green ‘ver abode claro’ (1894)
Scott: not described / differentiated from 1892 issues (except in 1895 catalogue #100 yellow green issued 1894)
SG: #191 pale-green (1 Jan 1894)
Peterson, D. 1988. Four-In-One: The 5c Green Issue of 1892. Philippine Philatelic News, vol 10 no. 1, pp2-4.
Peterson, D. 2019. Scott #153 – Four Different Printings of the 1890’s Green 5 Centavos, Spanish Philippine Postal Issues. Philippine Philatelic Journal, vol 41 no. 4, pp20-24.
1896 5c blue green
Cliché Type I, Gum Type C.
Sheets of 100 (10 x10) inscribed UNION GENERAL POSTAL 20,000 from 200 sheets issued 1 January 1896
Sheets of 100 (10 x10) inscribed UNION GENERAL POSTAL 10,000 from 100 sheets issued Octoner 1896
The colour description of this stamp is typically described as "blue green", Bartels et al (1904) suggests that this issue can easily be distinguished by its colour which resembles some shades of the 1896 1c blue green issue.
Both Bartels et al (1904) and Palmer (1912) note that an additional 10,000 stamps were issued in a dark shade [of blue green] in October 1896.
#21 5c blue green (1896)
This particular 5c issue can be distinguished from the other "5c green" issues by a blue-green colour and the presence of either gum type C or gum type D. Gum Type D appears to be the most common gum type. However, examples with the violet forged surcharge (Type A0) are typically found with a gum type C.
Edifil: #125 blue green ‘verde azulado’ (1896)
Scott: #156 blue green (1896)
SG: #200 bright blue green (1 Jan 1896)
1896 5c violet brown
Cliché Type I, Gum Type C.
Sheets of 100 (10 x10) inscribed CORREOS 160,000 from 1,600 sheets issued 1 January 1896
The colour of this issue has been described variously as "lilac", "brown", "violet" and "violet brown".
As normal the issue exists in colour shades; Bartels et al (1904) described the colour as "violet brown" with a "light violet-brown" shade variety.
#22 5c violet brown
Hanciau records that the 5c violet brown was for foreign postage, but this appears to be in error as elsewhere the usage is recorded for internal postage i.e. ‘CORREOS’.
Although Mencarini (1896) reported that 160,000 stamps were issued, the stamp is relatively scarce when compared to for example, the 1892 6c violet brown (180,000 issued) or the other 1896 issues, for example, the 1c blue green (20,000 issued), the 15c blue green (200,000 issued) or 20c orange (100,000 issued) and this is reflected in the catalogue prices.
Hanciau describes two violet brown issues, the first in January 1892 and one in January 1896. The editor of Stanley Gibbons Monthly commented that they believed there were two varieties as they had chronicled separately on the authority of Le Collectionneur de Timbres Poste, a "5c brown violet" in July 1893 and on the same authority a "5c lilac brown" in March 1896. However, it seems likely that 1892 issue referred to by Hanciau and his editor (and others) was the "5c lilac" which is considered to be from proof sheets and has also previously been listed by Scott as #154. Other authors have also described this proof as "5c violet black"
Edifil: #124 violet brown ‘castano violeta’ (1896)
Scott: #155 violet brown (1896)
SG: #199 brown violet (1 Jan 1896)
Postal Usage
Correos circular Manila date stamp [September 1893] late usage on 5c dark blue;
Comunicaciones circular Sorsogon date stamp (Type A) on 5c dark blue
Registration "Certificado" cancel (Peterson Type 6) in magenta ink on 5c very pale green
Catalogue
Postal Issues
Newspaper Issues