1949 Library Rehabilitation

On April 1, 1949, the Bureau of Posts issued a set of three semi-postal stamps to assist in the rehabilitation of public libraries damaged during the war.

4c + 2c : Former Librarians of the Philippine National Library

The librarians were not identified on the stamp.

Epifaniao de los Santos (1871-1928), Librarian 1925 -1928)

 Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera y Gorricho (1857-1925), Librarian 1923-1925

Teodoro Kalaw (1884-1940), Librarian 1916-1917 and  1929-1940 

 6c + 4c : Title Page of Doctrina Christiana

Doctrina Christiana written by Fray Juan de Plasencia was a book of Roman Catholic Catechism,  believed to be one of the earliest books printed in the Philippines, in 1593.

18c + 7c : Title Page of Noli Me Tangere

 

Published in 1887, Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere, was an indictment of Philippine society under Spanish colonial rule. The novel helped inspire the 1896 Philippine revolution

First Day of Issue Cachet

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(Not in author's collection)

(Not in author's collection)

 (Not in author's collection)

(Not in author's collection)

(Not in author's collection)

1949 50c Definitive Official

 On January 23, 1949, the Bureau of Posts issued the 50c definitive official stamp.

 

Press Bulletin, January 3, 1949

The 50-centavo stamps, Republic Series, overprinted "O.B." in jet black will have its first day of issue January 23, 1949, on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary or Golden Jubilee of the formal inauguration of the short-lived "Philippine Republic" at the historic Barasonain Church, Malolos, Bulacan.

First Day of Issue Cachet

GOLDEN JUBILEE
1899 -1949
FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC

The 50c official stamp was issued on January 23, 1949, the 50th anniversary of the creation of the First Philippine Republic at Malolos, Bulacan.

Creation of the First Republic

After the U.S. invasion of the Philippines during the Spanish-American war in 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo returned from exile and led Filipino forces against the Spanish. The rebels successfully conquered much of the Spanish-held ground within the Philippines and  declared independence from Spain. On January 23, 1899, the First Philippine Republic was established.

The Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan, was the site of the constitutional convention of 1898  that led to the establishment of the First Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899 with Emilio Aguinaldo as its President.

End of the First Republic

Philippine independence was not recognized by the United States, and after the Philippines were ceded by Spain to the United States in 1898, war erupted between the U.S. and Aguinaldo's forces. The First Republic came to an end on April 1, 1901 when Aguinaldo swore an oath accepting the authority of the United States over the Philippines.


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1948 Slogan Cancellations

HELP YOUR INDEPENDENT
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS
FIRST ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN
FEBRUARY 1 - 29, 1948 

Manila. January 28, 1948

 

HELP
THE 1948 ANTI-
TUBERCULOSIS DRIVE

Manila. August 18, 1948

DEC
AVIATION 
WEEK
12 - 18
AVIATION PROMOTES PROGRESS & SECURITY

Manila. December 12, 1948

1948 Anniversaries and Events : Official Cachets

In addition to postage stamps, the Philatelic Bureau prepared cachets for anniversaries and events for which stamps were not issued.

Constitution Day Anniversary: February 8, 1948

The 1935 Constitution creating the Commonwealth of the Philippines in remained in effect until the end of the Third Republic in 1972. The draft of the Constitution was adopted by the Philippine Constitutional Convention on February 8, 1935.
 

427th Anniversary of the Magellan's Discovery of the Philippines:
March 16, 1948

The Spanish expedition led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan first sighted the mountains of Samar on March 16, 1521. Magellan became involved in rivalries among native tribes and engaged in a battle against Chieftan Lapu-Lapu. Magellan was killed on April 27, 1521.

160th Anniversary of Birth of Francisco Baltazar Balagtas:
April 2, 1948

Francisco Baltazar Balagtas (1788-1862) was a prominent Filipino poet, and is considered as the Tagalog equivalent of William Shakespeare.

City of Basilan : July 1, 1948

On July 1, 1948, the island of Basilan,  in Mindanao,became a chartered city. In 1973, the City of Basilan was converted into the Province of Basilan.

 

"City" of Basilan first day cancellation, July 1, 1948

2nd Anniversary Republic of the Philippines : July 4, 1948

City of Dumaguete : November 24, 1948

The City of Dumaguete, nicknamed The City of Gentle People, is the capital of the  province of Negros Oriental. On November 24, 1948, Dumaguete became a chartered city of the Philippines.

City of Dumaguete first day cancellation, November 24, 1948

National Heroes' Day

On February 16, 1921, the Philippine Legislature made November 30 of each year a legal holiday to commemorate the birth of Andres Bonifacio. Although  the Legislature,in 1931, declared the last Sunday of August of every year as National Heroes' Day, November 30 continued to be known as National Heroes’ Day for some time.

This cachet may not have been produced by the Postal Bureau

1948 Manuel Roxas

Manuel Roxas , the first President of the post-war Republic, died in office on April 15, 1948. The Bureau of Posts issued a pair of stamps, engraved by the American Bank Note Co., to mark the late president's death. First day of issue was July 15, 1948.

First Day Issue Cachet

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1948 Sampaguita National Flower

Sampaguita , Jasminum sambac,  was adopted as the national  flower of the Philippines by American Governor General Frank Murphy in 1934. The selection of sampaguita , which is native to India , was based on its traditional and historical significance. The white, star-shaped blossom is popular for its ornamental value, fragrance, and the role it plays in the legends and traditions of the Filipino people.

 On Flower Day, December 8, 1948, the Bureau of Posts issued a single 3c stamp featuring the sampaguita.

 

Press Bulletin

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