Republic of the Philippines - Stamps and Postal History
Philippine Philatelic Library
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Part I - (Types I & II, EFOs )
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The 1991-1993 Philippine Flowers Definitive Series
The
Philippine flowers mini-stamp definitive series comprises more stamps
than any previous Philippine postage stamp series, in spite of the fact
that it consists of only stamps for the most basic prevailing postage
rates, with the highest denominations at only 5.00p and later, 10.00p,
the local speed airmail rate. Now it has proven to be the most
interesting and challenging series for serious collectors, especially
the specialists, who search for varieties, including those that can be
differentiated more readily with the aid of the ultra-violet light.
After the "Fiesta Islands" definitive series
issued between 1989 and 1990, the Postal Services Office was planning a
new definitive series to show Philippine fruits. However, it was later
decided that Philippine flowers be depicted instead, as the new stamps
will be in the new mini size, first used for the "Great Filipinos"
series of 1989, and that the planned fruits may not come out nicely on
such small designs. The reason given for coming out with such small
stamps was that even though the demand for postage stamps had increased
tremendously, the budget for stamp printing had remained the same.
Therefore, with 200 stamps per sheet instead of
the usual 100 for definitives, the Post Office can have definitive
stamps printed to meet the demand without having to alter the size and
quantities for commemorative and special issues.
This flower series was slow to catch on with collectors, probably
because of its size and also the number and face value of the stamps
included. But recently, it has begun to soar in popularity, largely due
to an increase in interest for Philippine stamps and the desire of more
collectors to include collectible varieties, especially after the two
locally published albums included the flower reprints with "1992" date
in their supplements.
Since several of the flowers to be depicted exist in different color
morphs, the stamps for the four basic postage rates (1.00p for local
mails, 4.00p for mails to Asian countries, 4.75p for mails to Middle
East countries, Australia and New Zealand, and, 5.50p for mails to
U.S.A. and Europe), which were needed in large quantities, were each
printed as se-tenant blocks of four to show four different colors of the
same flowers. This contributed to the large number of stamps in the
series.
All the stamps in this series were printed by
litho-offset, in four colors, in sheets of 200 subjects (20 x 10), by
Amstar Company, Inc., on the locally produced paper with the "Seal of
the Bureau of Posts" watermark. Under ultraviolet light, the local
paper, in used condition, varies in its reaction to the UV light, from
being 1) non-reactive (ordinary paper), to (2) slightly fluorescent, to
(3) highly reactive ("hibrite" paper). All stamps in this series exist
with at least two paper types, with many having three different types
and some even four types. All these stamps were comb perforated 13 3/4 x
13 1/2 , and have the yellowish-green phosphorescent security mark,
either "PPS" or "PPC", printed sideways on the face of the stamp.
Since the budget for stamp printing is released quarterly, orders for
stamps, including definitives, are also usually made on a quarterly
basis. The initial quantities ordered are the ones shown on the new
issue bulletins, but for most values, there will be additional orders or
re-printings on the succeeding quarters, depending upon the need for
that particular value. However, such additional quantities are not being
reported anymore.
Aside from the additional quantities from the quarterly reprints, most
printings will have further additional supplies from what is called
renegotiation. Before, the printers delivered only the exact quantity
ordered, regardless of whether there are still good copies from the
extra print run made to cover possible spoilages. But since 1989, the
Post Office has been renegotiating with the printers for additional
quantities of good stamps included in the over-run that used to be
destroyed together with the spoiled stamps after the ordered quantities
have been delivered. The printers were allowed an additional percentage
for spoilages when they were supplied with the security paper, so as to
be able to fill the ordered quantities completely. Most of the time,
there will be lots of good sheets left after the ordered quantities have
been delivered in full, so to avoid wastage, any such acceptable sheets
were delivered as additional quantities at 50% of the original price.
These are usually used for postage purposes only, since it often takes
months before such renegotiated stamps are delivered to the Post Office,
and by that time, many commemorative and special Issues have already
been taken off philatelic sales. The printer first accumulates as many
issues as possible before delivering these renegotiated stocks together.
It should be noted that quantities ordered and delivered refer to the
actual number or pieces of stamps for that particular value, regardless
of the number of designs in the sheet, therefore, for stamps in
block-of-four formats, the quantity reported will have to be divided by
four to get the number of blocks printed for that value.
Part I of this flower definitive series, consisting of five values with
eleven stamps, was scheduled for issuance on March 30, 1991. However,
since that was a Saturday, the actual first day of sale was April 1,
Monday, and only the 1.00p and 5.50p blocks of 4 were available. The
other three values, 60s, 75s, and 3.25p, were not issued until April 11,
1991.
The initial quantities ordered, made during the first quarter, which
appeared in the new issue bulletin, were:
60s -------------------------- 2,500,000
75s -------------------------- 2,900,000
1.00p -------------------------- 15,000,000
3.25p -------------------------- 1,000,200
5.50p -------------------------- 1,500,000
However, the actual quantities for these stamps were more, because there
were additional orders for three of the values in the second quarter:
60s
-------------------------- 1,700,000
1.00p -------------------------- 10,500,000
5.50p -------------------------- 2,900,000
There were additional renegotiated quantities for some of the printings,
therefore, the actual quantities for these five values are:
PART I - TYPE II (REDRAWN) PRINTINGS
There were also additional printings ordered for the third and fourth
quarters, but by then, the printer had already decided on its own to
"redraw" part of the plates (black color) to make the date "1991" bigger
and/or to adjust the positions of the inscriptions. The reason for these
Type II versions is that the printer wanted to avoid unnecessary
spoilage due to misperforations. In the original Type I printings, a
slight shift in perforations will cut through the "PILIPINAS", "1991",
name of the flower or face values due to the extremely small size of the
stamps, and all such misperfed sheets are considered spoiled. The Post
Office was not notified of these stamp changes, so very few are aware
that major varieties had been produced, and almost all of the 75s and
3.25p Type II stamps had been used up for postage, and mint copies can
be considered rare. In fact, even good used copies of any of these
flower mini-stamps are difficult to locate, because of its small size,
the rubber cancels used have such thick lines and the violet ink used
"bleeds" when soaked in water.
There are various differences between the original Type I and the
redrawn Type II stamps, but the most notable differences found on the
Type II versions are:
Type I Type II
Type I Type II
Type I Type II
Type I Type II
Type I Type II
The third quarter orders included four out of the five Type II values:
60s --------------------------
1,500,000
75s --------------------------
700,000
1.00p -------------------------- 23,000,000
5.50p -------------------------- 2,200,000
The
fourth quarter orders also included four out of the five values:
60s --------------------------
124,000
1.00p -------------------------- 5,400,000
3.25p -------------------------- 112,000
5.50p --------------------------
860,000
With the additional renegotiated quantities for some of the printings,
the actual quantities for the five type II values are:
Since these Type II stamps (eleven in all) were considered as additional
printings only, there were no first day cancels, and in fact, the actual
first day of sale of each of these five values are different, because
each was put on sale only when that particular value was needed, and
usually only after the earlier printings had been exhausted. The first
day of sale of the Type II stamps are:
60s -------------------------- July 29, 1991
1.00p ----------------------- August 1, 1991 3.25p ----------------------- October 29, 1991 5.50p ----------------------- September 2, 1991
PART I – EFOs
From all the printings for Part I of the flower definitive series
comprising a total of 22 stamps, there is only one EFO recorded, unlike
before when the APO-NEDA was the printer where there were all kinds of
EFO's for most stamps. Only one sheet of the 1.00p Type I stamps was
found with the four colors misaligned; the black and the yellow are
shifted to the left, so there are yellow "extensions" of the branches,
and the flowers have their outlines doubled.
Part II of the Philippine flowers definitive series comprising four
values with ten stamps was scheduled for issuance on May 17, 1991.
However, none of the stamps were available for sale until June 7, 1991.
These four values were included in the second quarter orders, and the
initial quantities ordered, as shown on the new issue bulletin were:
1.20p -------------------------- 1,250,000
4.00p -------------------------- 3,000,000
4.75p -------------------------- 1,300,000
5.00p -------------------------- 500,000
For the third quarter orders, the following were included:
4.00p -------------------------- 750,000
4.75p -------------------------- 3,000,000
And
for the fourth quarter orders, these were included:
4.00p -------------------------- 650,000
4.75p -------------------------- 262,000
5.00p -------------------------- 250,000
Therefore, the actual quantities printed of each of these four values,
including the renegotiated quantities, are:
There are no Type II versions for these Part II stamps because the
printer started with designs having the black inscriptions in the
"correct" positions already.
PART II – EFOs
With the postage rate hike that became effective on December 1, 1991, a
whole new range of eight values using the same designs as the first two
parts, except the 75s yellow bell, was supposed to be released on that
day. However, only the four values for the four basic rates, all in
se-tenant blocks of four, were available on time. The other four single
values were sold starting December 13, 1991.
The, designs and colors for these eight values, comprising twenty new
stamps, are the same as those for the first two parts, except that
instead of black ink used for the denominations, the new denominations
are in different colors. It should also be noted that designs from Part
I will be of the type II versions.
The designs of the eight new values are:
These eight values were included in the last quarter orders, and some
values have additional renegotiated quantities. Orders made in 1992 bear
the date "1992", to identify them as new printings for which the printer
was charging higher prices, and also to differentiate them from
renegotiated quantities which cost only half the original price.
Therefore, new printings bearing the "1992" date are to be considered as
new stamps for philatelic purposes, and becomes Part IV of this
definitive series.
The actual quantities of the eight values in Part III with the
renegotiated quantities are included, are:
"SPECIMEN" STAMPS - After the printing of "SPECIMEN"
stamps was terminated with the last issue of the first quarter of 1989
(Fiesta Islands '89 1), due to allegations of inequitable distribution
and late deliveries that negated the primary purpose of these
promotional items, there was a clamor for the resumption of these
collectibles. But it was only when the establishment of the Postal
Museum and Philatelic Library was being undertaken that the idea of
resuming these "SPECIMEN" stamps became attractive again. So with the
Philippine Bar Association issue of August 20, 1991, printing of
"SPECIMEN" stamps resumed, and almost all stamps and souvenir sheets
issued since then were overprinted. Initially, only a few sheets
intended for display and for the files of the Philatelic Library were
printed, but later on additional quantities were approved in order to
make some available to editors of philatelic publications and deserving
collectors and dealers.
PART III – SPECIMEN STAMPS
One thousand (1,000) pieces of each of the eight values from Part III were overprinted
with black "SPECIMEN", positioned diagonally with the "S" at the bottom
reading up. The face values were deleted by two horizontal lines in
black ink by hand and not printed, so the length of the bars and the
distance between them are variable. In fact, even the placement of the
word "SPECIMEN" is not in the same position for all stamps on the sheet.
These 1,000 "SPECIMEN" stamps were made available free of charge and
were additional quantities, and not part of the ordered quantities. Such
stamps were intended primarily for the Postal Museum and Philatelic
Library.
It
should be noted that for the four values in se-tenant blocks, only 250
sets are possible.
PART III - EFO's
From part III, only a single sheet was found that produced some EFO's.
It's a sheet of the 8.00p with the bottom two rows affected. From the
lower left block of 20 (0 x 2), there is a confetti flaw (foreign piece
of paper stuck on stamp #7, but free over stamps # 5, 6). When folded
over, large areas of these latter two stamps were unprinted, as the
printing got onto the confetti. From the lower right block of 20 (10 x
2), stamps #4-10 have large areas having background colors misprinted
due to presence of glue or other foreign substances over them during
printing.
Part IV of the flowers definitive series consists of reprints ordered in
January and March of 1992 having the new date "1992" and with the
original "PPS" security mark. No additional reprints were ordered until
the third quarter, and by that time, the Postal Services Office had
become the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost), and the
phosphorescent security mark was changed to "PPC".
In addition to the eight values from Part III, there were printings made
of the 60s and 1.00p using the type 11 varieties, included in the Part
IV stamps, making the complete set 10 values for a total of 25 stamps.
The total quantities of the 10 values, including renegotiated
quantities, are:
Since these are not treated as new issues but rather only additional printings, there were no first day cancels. And as usual, a particular value was placed on sale only when the earlier printings were exhausted, so first days of sale were different in most cases: 60s -------------------------- March 4, 1992 1.00p -------------------------- February 10, 1992 1.50p -------------------------- March 25, 1992 2.00p -------------------------- January 24, 1992 3.00p -------------------------- February 10, 1992 5.00p -------------------------- March 24, 1992 6.00p -------------------------- February 12, 1992 7.00p -------------------------- February 27, 1992 8.00p -------------------------- March 25, 1992 10.00p ------------------------ September 22, 1992
PART IV - EFO's
Two different EFO's appeared with this group, both
on the 7.00p value. The first is a right side block of 20 (2 x 10),
which has an additional row of comb perforations at the right, partly on
the stamps and partly on the margin. The vertical perforations of the
extra row is slanted, and it is 7
mm. to
the right of the normal row on top but only 5
mm. to
the right at the bottom.
The second EFO is a lower left block of 32 (4 x 8), with the second
vertical rows of stamps (from the left) misaligned vertically because
the comb perforations jumped up 1 mm. causing each stamp to he higher
than its adjacent stamps horizontally.
When the Postal Services Office become the Philippine Postal Corporation
on June 3, 1992, the printer was instructed to change the phosphorescent
security mark from "PPS" to "PPC" for all new printings of stamps. The
third quarter orders for additional printings of the flower definitive
series were among those affected, so Part V of this series was created.
This time, the 60s and 10.00p values were not included because of low
demand. Therefore, this part V consists of only eight values with 23
stamps.
There were actually three reprint orders for these stamps with "1992"
date and "PPC" security mark. There was an order during the third
quarter and two more during the fourth quarter. However, the last order
was for delivery in January of 1993, including the new 1.00p with design
of the yellow bell (from the 75s value in Part 1).
The total quantities for the eight values comprising Part V, including
the renegotiated quantities, are:
The first day of sales of these Part V stamps are:
2
3
5
6
8
PART V - TYPE II (5.00p)
Type I Type II
There are two types of the 5.00p stamp from Part V.
Type I has the "1992" closer to the right vertical perforations, with
"2" out of alignment from the vertically placed flower's name.
Type II has "1992" aligned to the flower's name, with "2” in line with
the inscriptions. It appears that the printer decided to change the
position of "1992" after a short printing run of this value, that's why
even though there was only one order during the third quarter, there are
two types, and definitely type I is quite scarce.
PART V - EFO's
There are six different EFO's found in the Part V stamps:
The sixth and last part of this flower definitive series was issued as a
single 1.00p stamp on January 23, 1993. This used the design of the
yellow bell of the 75s from Part I. As expected, the design was the type
11 version, with "1992" high and close to "PILIPINAS". The new
denomination was in blue instead of black. Actually, an additional order for the LOOP was needed and it was included with the second order of the fourth quarter 1992, to be delivered in January, 1993. Since there had been numerous complaints from collectors and the mailing public about the same monotonous flower designs, the authorities decided that since the current PL00 and P2.00 stamps, the most widely used values, both showed Kalachuchi, it might help stop more complaints if a new design was used. Thus, because the yellow bell was the only design not utilized for the printings since the rate hike, it was the natural choice.
There was only one printing made, and with 140,000 from renegotiation
added to the ordered quantity of 1,600,000, the total became 1,740,000.
PART VI - "SPECIMEN" STAMPS
1,000 pieces of this stamp were overprinted with black "SPECIMEN",
positioned diagonally with the "S" at the bottom reading up. The face
value was deleted by two horizontal lines in black ink by hand and not
printed.
The flower definitive series was replaced by the Flag with National
Symbol definitive series, and with the new policy of "first in, first
out," no more of these stamps should be available for sale anymore.
As discussed above, there are actually six parts to this series,
consisting of a total of 102 collectible varieties, broken down as
follows:
For many collectors interested in general collections with
face-different stamps only, 42 stamps may be considered complete
already, but it will be a much greater challenge, offering more thrill
and satisfaction, to include at least some of the other collectible
varieties.
Actually, to collect good used copies of this series is quite a
challenge also, especially if intact blocks of 4 are to be included.
Postally used covers showing the correct usage for each of these values
will be good exhibition materials, too. In fact, it would be amazing to
find covers showing the first day or early usages of the various
reprints such as the type II's, "1992" -dated, and "PPC" security-marked
varieties. I myself gained great pleasure and fulfillment studying this
fascinating series, and I'm sure you will, too.
For many collectors interested in general collections with
face-different stamps only, 42 stamps may be considered complete
already, but it will be a much greater challenge, offering more thrill
and satisfaction, to include at least some of the other collectible
varieties.
Actually, to collect good used copies of this series is quite a
challenge also, especially if intact blocks of 4 are to be included.
Postally used covers showing the correct usage for each of these values
will be good exhibition materials, too. In fact, it would be amazing to
find covers showing the first day or early usages of the various
reprints such as the Type II's, "1992" dated, and "PPC" security-marked
varieties. I myself gained great pleasure and fulfillment studying this
fascinating series, and I'm sure you will, too.
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Homepage Originally published in the June 1995 issue of the Journal of Philippine Philatelic Society (England) Articles by Dr. Ngo Tiong Tak |
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