1955 Rotary International 50th Anniversary

Rotary International , a world-wide service club organization, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1955. Rotarians conduct themselves by their motto, "Service Above Self", and engage in meaningful community and international service projects. The first Rotary Club in the Philippines was created in Manila on June 1, 1919.

Stamps

A set of two regular stamps and one airmail stamp, produced by the English printer De la Rue was issued on February 23, 1955.

The central element of the stamp design features the famous Mayon Volcano located on Luzon Island.with a traditional sailing ship (vinta) in the foreground.

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The stamp is not unattractive but bears no relation to the subject being commemorated. Furthermore, there is an error in the stamp  design.  Vintas did not sail in Luzon Island waters. They were used for inter-island transport by the Muslim community in Mindinao, 1000 miles or so southwest of Mayon Volcano.

Regular Stamps 

  
Air Mail Stamp

First Day of Issue Cachet

First Day Covers


The Filipino cachet designers did a much better job of showing why the Philippines was commemorating the 50th anniversary of Rotary International than did the stamp designer.