1958 Anti-TB Semi Postal Issue

Tuberculosis has been a major cause of death in the Philippines for decades and continues to be a significant health problem with 30,000 reported deaths from the disease in 2010. From 1958 to 1974, the Bureau of Posts issued Anti-Tuberculosis semi-postal stamps (except 1966, 1968, and 1971) pursuant to Republic Act No. 1685 of the Third Congress of the Philippines (see Addendum). The law made it mandatory for the Director of Posts to issue the semi-postal stamps which were to be affixed to all mail posted between August 19 and September 30 to raise funds for the Philippines Tuberculosis Society.

The first anti-TB semi-postal stamps were issued on August 19, 1958 and feature the Quezon Institute (formerly Santol Sanitorium, Manila) and a vignette of  President Quezon, a dedicated anti-TB fund raiser. Manuel Quezon died of  TB in 1944.

First Day of Issue Cachet

First Day Covers

(Not in author's collection)

(Not in author's collection)

 Addendum

REPUBLIC ACT No. 1635

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE PRINTING AND ISSUE OF SEMI-POSTAL STAMPS IN ORDER TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE PHILIPPINE TUBERCULOSIS SOCIETY.

Section 1. To help raise funds for the Philippine Tuberculosis Society, the Director of Posts shall order for the period from August nineteen to September thirty every year the printing and issue of semi-postal stamps of different denominations with face value showing the regular postage charge plus the additional amount of five centavos for the said purpose, and during the said period, no mail matter shall be accepted in the mails unless it bears such semi-postal stamps. The additional proceeds realized from the sale of the semi-postal stamps shall constitute a special fund and be deposited with the National Treasury to be expended by the Philippine Tuberculosis Society in carrying out its noble work to prevent and eradicate tuberculosis.

Section 2. The sum of twenty-four thousand pesos, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is authorized to be appropriated, out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to defray the cost of printing such semi-postal stamps in the current year, which sum shall be reimbursed from the special fund above created. The sum necessary to defray the cost of printing such stamps in subsequent years shall be taken from the said special fund.

Section 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 20, 1957.

1958 Magsaysay Anniversary of Death Cachet

On the first anniversary of the death of President Ramon Magsaysay, the Bureau of Posts prepared a souvenir cachet to mark the leader's passing.

Cachet stamped on the back of the Overseas Mailers souvenir envelope shown below

The Overseas Mailers cachet and insert no doubt reflect cachet-maker Jay Leach's admiration for President Magsaysay.

Manila, March 17, 1958

1958 Roxas Anniversary of Death Cachet

A cachet in memory of President Manuel Roxas was prepared for use on the tenth anniversary of his death, April 15, 1958.

The memorial cachet was applied to the back of the colourful Overseas Mailers cover shown below.

1958 12th Anniversary of the Republic of the Philppines

President Carlos Garcia is pictured on the 12th anniversary of the Philippines Republic stamp set issued on July 4, 1958.

First Day of Issue Cachet

First Day Covers

1958 50th Anniversary University of the Philippines

The University of the Philippines was established by the Philippine Legislature  in 1908 to provide advanced instruction in literature, philosophy, the sciences, and arts, and to give professional and technical training. The original campus was located on a small site in central Manila. As more colleges were added, additional buildings were required.  In 1939, the University acquired land in the Diliman District of Quezon City (10 miles from central Manila) and established a larger campus to accommodate the rising student population. The Diliman campus became the flagship of the University of the Philippines in 1949 when the University administrative offices moved to Diliman.

Symbols of the University of the Philippines : Carillon Tower and Oblation statue

Diliman Main Library behind "Lagoon" (early 1950s)

The Bureau of Posts marked the 50th anniversary of the University of the Philippines on June 18, 1957 with the release of a commemorative stamp produced by the Government Printing Bureau of Japan . The  stamp design shows the Oblation statue in front of the Diliman campus "Academic Oval". The Carillon Tower  is drawn on the left side of the stamp.

First Day of Issue Cachet

First Day of Issue Cancellations


Manila and Quezon City provided first day of issue cancellations.

First Day Covers

 U.P. Presidents Series

 

 

 Unpainted and Painted