80c Babyhead issues

80c issue

1897 80c claret

Cliché Type V, Gum Type D.

Sheets of 100 (10 x10) inscribed CORREOS ? 10,000 from 100 sheets ? issued ~April 1897

The colour of the stamp has generally been described as “lake”, “carmine” or “claret”. Bartels et al (1904) suggested shades of “lake” and "deep lake” occurred.

#MP51 80c claret

This is the only 80c stamp issued for the Philippines. When the director general of the post in Manila was advised that a newly designed stamp would shortly replace the Baby Head series he was advised to only order those absolutely necessary to cover the period between 1897 and 1898. The 80c value was one of the three issues he requested.

Bartels et al (1904) and Palmer (1912) report that the 80c claret stamp was issued in 1897 although the month and quantities are unknown. Palmer reports that it was supposedly issued for internal postage but that this is not definitely known as no full sheets at that time had been seen.

The London Philatelist (in July 1897) recorded that similar to the new 40c and 80c issues received by Cuba, that the two values had also been supplied to the Philippines. The Madrid Filatelico (June 1897) similary reports the issue of an 80c carmine stamp. A postally used example is known dated 23 June 1897. Peterson (PPJ 2006-4) reported the discovery of a 40c stamp with a postmark dated 26 April 1897 and suggested that the 80c issue was also issued on or before this date.

The Madrid Filatelico (November 1898) report that 10,000 stamps were issued and this is repeated in Galvez (1951) and by Harradine (1987).

The clichés for this printing appear to have been created from a new or altered die resulting in clichés with a marked break in the oval frame between the 12 o’clock and 1 o‘clock positions (i.e. cliché type V).