The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1905-06-19
UNCLE SAM WILL
HAVE NEW STAMPS
First Issue for Philippines
Will Go Into Use Among
Islanders on July Fourth
HONOR NATIVE PATRIOTS
Also Prominent Americans
and Spaniards Connected
With Discovery Of Islands

The gift of a new kind of money
from Uncle Sam furnished the Filipinos
with substantial grounds for a grand
celebration last Fourth Of July. This
Fourth of July the Filipinos will have
another cause for jubilation.
On that day they will be supplied
with new and distinctive series of
postage stamps of all denominations.
This will mark an epoch in the history
of the islands. They will be the first
real Filipino postage stamps ever used.
For sentimental reasons this new
issue of Philippine stamps will possess
great interest for the people of the
United States, although they will not
be available for postage here any more
than are Cuban stamps. Upon six of
the denominations will appear por-
traits of distinguished citizens Of the
United States.
The four centavo, corresponding to
our 2-cent stamp. will bear the photo
graph Of William Mckinley. This will
be the first time the face of President
Mckinley has had a place on postage
stamp.
AT the time of his death the Post
office Department had under considera-
ton new series of stamps and i'm
mediateIy there developed a strong
sentiment in favor Of honoring Mr.. Nc
kinley with a place on one of the de-
nominations. This could not be done
without displacing Washington. Frank
lin, Lincoln or Grant. provided McKin-
ley was to have a place on a stamp of
general use.
In view of the fact that Franklin's
portrait had appeared on our stamp of
lowest value from the time of the issue
of our first stamps, and Washington
had always occupied similar position
on the stamp carrying domestic letter
mail, it was decided not to disturb
them. Then there was serious dis
cussion Of the proposition to issue
mourning stamp bearing the head of
Mckinley. but this was also abandoned.
BEAR McKINLEY,S FACE.
Now McKinley's face will appear on
a postage stamp, and it will adorn the
stamps used by the people liberated from
the yoke of Spain during his administra-
ton.
The new series of stamps for the Philip
pines will consist of the same number and
minations-eXpressed in centavos-as
the current issue of United States stamps
The designs will be as follows:
Two centayos Il cent-Bust of Rial,
the idol of the F'ilipinos, who was execut-
ed by the Spaniards because of his activ-
ity in fighting for his country's freedom.
This stamp will carry the bulk of Philip
pine domestic mail.
-Four centaVos-Bust of Mckinley
Six centavos-Bust of Magellan, discov-
erer of the Philippines.
Eight centavos-Bust Of Legaspi, who
first established civil government in the
Philippines.
Ten centavos-Bust of General Lawton.
killed in the Philippines
Twelve centavos-Bust Of Abraham Lin
coin.
Sixteen centavos Bust Of Admiral
Sampson.
Twenty centayos = Bust of George
Washington.
Twenty-six centavos-Bust Of Carriedo,
the Spanish philanthropist, whose bene-
factions provided Manila with its first
water supply.
Thirty centavos Bust Of Benjamin
Franklin.
One, two, four and ten pesos bear the
coat of arms of the Filipinos, having no
portraits.
Special delivery stamp-Ffgure of
Filipino messenger boy at one end of the
stamp; the famous Mount Mayor at the
other end.
SAMPSON ALSO HONORED.
The question naturally arises, Why
a place on the stamps rather than Ad
mjral Dewey? The explanation Is simple.
The policy of the Government does not
permit the placing of portraits Of per-
sons still living upon postage stamps. The
scheme of the Insular Bureau contem-
plated representation on the series OF
stamps of American officers who partici
pated in the land and sea operations
which resulted in the acquisition Of the
Philippines, and Admiral Sampson was
the only commanding officer of high
grade not now living.
The placing of Franklin and Washing
ton on the stamps of the Philippines Is
also bit of sentiment The first TWO
postage stamps ever issued by the United
States Government were the scent face
of Franklin and the Decent face Of WASH
ington in 1S47 Since that date these two
faces have appeared on every series of
postage stamps issued. and 1t Is fitting
that they should now be continued on the
stamps of the colonies.
Postage stamps have been in use In the
Philippines since 1854. They were Span
charge in 1898, since which time the United
States stamps with the word Philip.
pines printed diagonally across the face
of the stamp have been used.
PREVIOUS ISSUES.
From 1854 until 1890 the stamps bore
the portraits of Queen Isabella and
King Alfonso XII. followed by the face
of the four-year- King Alfonso XIII.
These were known as the baby head
stamps, and this design continued on all
Spanish and colonial stamps until 1898,
when the portrait of the young King.
then IL years of age, appeared. These
stamps had just gone into circulation
in the Philippines when the United
States took possession Of the archi-
pelago.
When the design for the Philippine
coins was under consideration a year
ago the sketch submitted by a native
Filipino was accepted, and in the selec-
ton and preparation OF the designs for
the new Philippine stamps influential
Filipfnos were consulted and their sug-
gestions approved.
While the stamps will be distinctively
Filipino in a way. Uncle Sam will still
indicate his interest In the postal sys-
tenn of his ward by the use OF an In
scription in small letters at the top Of
each stamp, substantially as follows:
Government of the Philippines, D. s.
A." and although the Spanish currency
will. be the basis-centavos and pesos