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