1954 Marian Year

With over 80% of Philippine citizens claiming membership in the Roman Catholic church (2000 census), it is not surprising that stamps with Catholic themes have been issued by the Philippines Bureau of Posts. The first Catholic-related stamp of the Third Republic was issued in 1954.

Pope Pius XII had declared 1954 to be a "Marian Year", a year in which  cultural events, charity, and social gatherings would celebrate Mary, the mother of Jesus. Activities in the Philippines included a Marian Congress which was held from December 1 to December 5, 1954 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, the belief that the soul of the Virgin Mary was created sinless by God. At the closing ceremonies of the Marian Congress on December 5, 1954, President Magsaysay consecrated the Republic of the Philippines to Mary,"the Immaculate Mother of God".

Stamp

A single 5c stamp based on the Bartolomé Esteban Murillo painting The Immaculate Conception of Aranjuez (La Inmaculada Concepción de Aranjuez) c.1675-80 and engraved by the American Bank Note Company was issued on December 30, 1954.

First Day of Issue Cachet

First Day Covers

Filipino devotion to Mary is reflected by the large number of different cachets produced to commemorate Marian Year.

Madonnas of the Philippines by Filipino Artists

 

Unpainted and Painted

Unpainted and Painted

Maximum Card

 

(Not in author's collection)

1954 56th Anniversary of the Declaration of the First Philippine Independence

It was during the Spanish-American war on June 12, 1898, that Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippines. The First Philippine Republic was not recognized by the U.S. which was not prepared to give up control of the Philippines. Following a brutal war fought against the Filipinos, the U.S. set up a colonial  administration which was interrupted in the 1940s by Japanese occupation. Following WWII in 1946, the U.S. granted the Philippines its independence on terms which included an entrenched U.S. military presence and  favourable economic benefits for U.S. interests.

The 56th anniversary of the 1898 Declaration of Philippine Independence was marked on November 30, 1954 with the release of a pair of commemorative stamps engraved by the English firm of De la Rue.

Stamps

First Day of Issue Cachet

Philippine independence was officially proclaimed on June 12, 1898 with the reading of the Proclamation of Independence in Kawit, Cavite. The Proclamation was prepared and read by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista and was signed by 98 delegates, including General Emilio Aguinaldo. The event saw  the National Flag of the Philippines, designed by General Aguinaldo and made in Hong Kong by Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina Herboza unfurled for the first time.  This was followed by the performance of the “Marcha Filipina Magdalo” now known as “Lupang Hinirang”, the National Anthem.

First Day Covers

 

 

Unpainted and Painted

1954 Manila Conference

An eight-nation conference opened in Manila on September 6, 1954, to create a treaty designed to prevent communist aggression is Southeast Asia. The United States, Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, and Pakistan signed the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty (also know as the Manila Pact) on September 8, 1954. The agreement created the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO).

Unlike the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO) , SEATO did not create its own military structure, nor did it oblige its members to respond if one was was attacked. SEATO was disbanded in 1977.

 The Manila Conference was held in the Congress Building, featured on the cachets shown below.

 Stamps

The Bonifacio Monument and Mayor Volcano definitive stamps were overprinted and surcharged to commemorate the Conference.

First Day of Issue Cachet

First Day Covers

 

Overseas Mailers

The Manila Conference issue is an early example of a first day cover produced by U.S. dealer Jay Leach under the name Overseas Mailers Ltd.,(Hicksville N.Y.)   In 1953 Leach began to design and print hand-painted first day covers as well as modifying first day covers produced by other companies. Modifications included added cachets and text, as well as hand water- colouring. Leach provided his customers with an insert which described the stamp and the cachet.

For the Manila Conference issue, Leach used an envelope produced by another firm. Leach may have purchased coloured first day covers or commissioned the colouring.

Leach Modification and insert

1954 2nd Asian Games

The 2nd Asian Games (also know as the II Asiad) were held in Manila from May 1 to May 9, 1954. 970 athletes from 19 countries participated in eight sports. The top medal winner was Japan (98) followed by the Philippines ( 45).

De la Rue engraved the three stamp set which was printed on coloured paper. First day of issue was on May 31, 1954, after the games had ended.


The Stamps

 

 First Day of Issue Cachet

First Day Covers

(Not in author's collection)

Autographs