ALFONSO XIII - BABY HEAD stamps of the PHILIPPINES
Forgeries
Reprints
Both historical and modern catalogues note the existence of forgeries which use the orginal handstamp and describe these as ‘reprints.’
However, forgeries using forged handstamps rather than the original handstamp also exist and add to difficulties in cataloguing these so-called reprints. In addition the reprints are generally described as with a violet-black ink, although this is contrary to what is observed, with most reprints using a violet ink, the only exceptions being the possible trial sheet and those applied to the 1882 issue.
Original Handstamp on similar base stamps to postal issues
Violet surcharges (Type A0, B0 and C0) original handstamp
Bartels et al (1904), Galvez (1944) and Scott (2020) report a 20c surcharge on 20c dark violet “reprint” using original handstamp in violet-black ink – but not yet seen.
A 15c violet black surcharge is also reported on the 15c rose. It is common to find 15c with a mixture of violet and black ink and these are occasionally described as reprints. However, these probably are not reprints and part of the orginal printings using an aniline ink
Violet and black surcharge with aniline ink
Original Handstamp on non-standard base stamps compared to postal issues
Violet surcharges (Type A0 and C0) original handstamp
Original Handstamp on 25c brown possibly from proof sheet (dark violet ink)
Dark violet surcharges (Type A0, B0 and C0) original handstamp - closest representation to violet black found on trial proof but also as singles
Original Handstamp on 1882 5c grey blue
•Some 30,000 to 40,000 of this stamp were surcharged by mistake but were not put into circulation. When Spanish rule ceased these stamps were withdrawn from the storehouses and then came upon the market.
Red surcharge (Type A0) original handstamp; with variations in appearance, red to mottled red and grey-black ink
Forgeries
Babyheads
Surcharges
Overprints
Essays