Royal Decree

Gaceta de Manila - 2 February 1890

On the 2 February 1890 the Gaceta de Manila published the Decree of the General Government of the Philippines issued 31 January 1890 and signed by the then Governor Valeriano Weyler.

The decree indicated the procedure of exchanging old stamps (those with the portrait of King Alfonso XII) to those newly received from Spain depicting King Alfonso XIII. The decree suggests that the stamps of the Babyhead series were in existence and in use by at least 31 January 1890 and that the older series were withdrawn from use on 28 February 1890.

This practice appears to have been common throughout the 1890s with the withdrawal of postage stamps shortly after the release of stamps in this series in new colours.

Extract from Gaceta de Manila, 2 February1890

Translation

GENERAL GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES.

Hacienda

Manila, 31 January 1890.

In accordance with the proposal of the General Treasury Department (Intendencia, General de Hacienda), I hereby decree.

1. Corporations, societies, offices and individuals who have in their possession State payment paper, postage stamps, money orders, telegraphs, etc., that have been usable until now, shall submit under their signature during the whole month of February, to the respective Treasury Administrations, a detailed list by classes and prices, of the effects which they wish to exchange for those newly received from the Peninsula.

2. The said Administrations, before the end of the month of February, will send to the Central Lottery and Stamped Bills Office, a summary of the lists presented, in order to know the total amount of this exchange.

3. The exchange will begin on the 1st of March, for which purpose, the interested parties who have signed the reports mentioned above, will present in the third parties, with their personal certificate which will be recorded, the effects which they have entered in their said reports, at the same time recording, with their signature, the receipt of the stamps or paper which will be given to them by virtue of the exchange.

4. The stamps of all kinds which are presented must be attached to one or more sheets of white paper, according to their quantity, on which the interested parties shall also record, under their signature, the number of stamps, their kind and price.

5. No bills of exchange shall be exchanged except for those of the same kind, it being absolutely forbidden to do so in cash.

6. The General Administration of the Treasury shall issue the appropriate instructions for the best fulfilment of the service in question, in accordance with the provisions of this decree.

To the appropriate effect, contact the General Administration of the Treasury.

WEYLER

The earliest known postal usage on the Babyhead series is 3 January 1890. A second example is known dated 5 January 1890