1. History of Philippine Postal Cards

Delve into the first postal cards of the Philippines as issued by the Spanish government in part 1 of this 4 part series.

Skip to: My Collection of Philippine Postal Cards(1878-1898) Spanish Era Postal Cards(1900-1941 +1945) U.S. Administration Postal Cards(1942-1944) Japanese Occupation Postal Cards(1946-now) Republic of the Philippines Postal Cards

Spanish Era Philippine Postal Cards

The first official pre-paid Philippine postal card from the Spanish era was released on September 1 1879. Interestingly, it was surcharged on a postal card that was printed the year before but never formally released. A rate change within the UPU resulted in postcard rates decreasing across UPU member nations. Given the rate change, release of the printed 1878 50 milesimas postcards was temporarily put on hold. The 50 milesimas postcards of 1878 were surcharged to 3 centavos and subsequently issued in 1879. Some of the 1878 50 milesimas postcards did actually make it into circulation by error. It is not known exactly how many were released, but it is a very small quantity. This obviously makes the 1878 postcards highly desirable to collectors and even more so used varieties.

Postal cards from 1878-1889 all have pre-printed stamps featuring King Alfonso XII of Spain. Alfonso XII died before his 28th birthday in November of 1885 due to tuberculosis. He was a young king who had ruled since the age of just 15. Alfonso XII’s son (Alfonso XIII) was born 17th May 1886 – shortly after Alfonso XII passed away. Alfonso XIII ruled from his birth until he died in February 1941. All postal cards from 1892 through 1896 depict a portrait of Alfonso XIII facing to the right when was just 5 years old. The last series of postal cards produced in 1898 depict Alfonso XIII at around 11 years of age and facing to the left.

The final series of postal cards from 1898 had 4 different values depending upon the intended destination of the postal card. Prices varied depending upon whether you were sending to someone in the same town as you, a different town in the Philippines, Spain or one of its colonies or whether the recipient was overseas (not Spain or one of her colonies). 1898 also saw the introduction of return paid postal cards – essentially two joined postal cards. The recipient could use the replied paid portion of the postal card to reply back to the sender.

It must be noted that many unused examples of these postcards exist and most are reasonably accessible both in terms of price and availability. Used examples of postal cards from this era are typically more expensive to accumulate and collect as there are simply fewer examples available. Many used postcards have been discarded or destroyed over time and the humidity and climate in the Philippines is often damaging to philatelic and paper-based products. Further, events like the Spanish-American War, US occupation and subsequent Manila post office closures also resulted in periods where fewer postal cards were being sent from the Philippines. You are warned, collecting used postcards from this era will be challenging and expensive!

Image	Year/Denomination	Notes
not acquired	1878 50 milesimas reddish brown	King Alfonso XII Printed and never officially issued, some accidently made their way into the market. These cards are very rare and typically sell for 4 figures.
	1879 3 centavos reddish brown	King Alfonso XII This is actually the first official postcard released in the Philippines with the “CONVENIO UNIVERSAL DE CORREOS HABILITADO 3 cents. de peso” surcharge in black.
	1881 3 centavos vermillion	King Alfonso XII May be printed on thin or medium thickness card.
	1889 2 centavos dark brown	King Alfonso XII May be printed on thin or medium thickness cards in buff.
not acquired	1889 3 centavos reddish brown	King Alfonso XII May be printed on thin or medium thickness cards in buff.
not acquired	1892 2 centavos brown	King Alfonso XIII (facing right) May be printed on thin buff or thin yellow card.
	1892 3 centavos orange	King Alfonso XIII (facing right) May be printed on thin buff or thin yellow card. Only 1,000 postcards were issued.
	1894 2 centavos reddish brown	King Alfonso XIII (facing right) May be printed on thin buff or thin yellow card.
	1894 3 centavos dark blue	King Alfonso XIII (facing right) May be printed on thin buff or thin yellow card. Only 2,000 issued.
	1896 2 centavos blue	King Alfonso XIII (facing right) May be printed on thin buff or thin yellow card.
	1896 3 centavos brown	King Alfonso XIII (facing right) May be printed on thin buff or thin yellow card. 10,000 postcards were released.
	1898 5 milesimas red brown	King Alfonso XIII (facing left) Printed on yellow/buff or salmon colored card. Used for interior use within the same town.
	1898 1 centavo green	King Alfonso XIII (facing left) Printed on yellow/buff or salmon colored card. Used for interior use between towns.
	1898 2 centavos dark violet	King Alfonso XIII (facing left) Printed on yellow/buff or salmon colored card. Used for overseas mail to Spain and Spanish colonies.
not acquired	1898 3 centavos red brown	King Alfonso XIII (facing left) Printed on yellow/buff or salmon colored card. Used for overseas mail except to Spain and Spanish colonies.
	1898 Double-card (reply paid) 5 milesimas red brown	King Alfonso XIII (facing left) Printed on yellow/buff or salmon colored card. Used for interior use within the same town.
	1898 Double-card (reply paid) 1 centavo green	King Alfonso XIII (facing left) Printed on yellow/buff or salmon colored card. Used for interior use between towns.
	1898 Double-card (reply paid) 2 centavos dark violet	King Alfonso XIII (facing left) Printed on yellow/buff or salmon colored card. Used for overseas mail to Spain and Spanish colonies.
not acquired	1898 Double-card (reply paid) 3 centavos red brown	King Alfonso XIII (facing left) Printed on yellow/buff or salmon colored card. Used for overseas mail except to Spain and Spanish colonies.