Manila Cathedral postcard with timbre cote vue cancellation

Manila Cathedral is one of the most photographed and featured cathedral in the country. Several postcard companies had featured this church since photography and postcards were introduced towards the end of the 19th century up to late 20th century.

Prior to the advent of photography, Majority of the early Manila Cathedral feature were drawn by local sketchers and international painters. Some of which are still around collected in different local archives like the one by Intramuros Administration, National Archives , National Library, Ortigas Library Foundation and foreign archives like those in Spain, Mexico, France and some early deltiologist (postcard collector).

Manila Cathedral circa between 1908 to 1910 with stamp in front and cancellation mark- the one on the right side was the Palacio del Gobernador ruins– the main square in front used to be called Plaza Mayor or Plaza Mckinley before it was renamed to Plaza Roma in 1961.

There are flame trees planted in the plaza towards the end of the 19th century and only the facade and pineapple ornamentation on the right side survived the last world war.

Manila Cathedral Postcard

back portion with handwriting and cancellation mark

Manila Cathedral is considered as mother of all churches in the archipelago. It was separate diocese on February 6, 1579 upon the issuance of papal bull.

The cross on top of the the central dome is a reference point of astronomical longitudes of the archipelago. Also it serves as a point of reference or kilometer zero for distances in the country.

Majority of the postcards printed during the American regime featured the 7th Cathedral architecture which is known as neo-byzantine style which only the main facade survived the last world war.

The present cathedral was a Romanesque revival or neo- Romanesque revival which was rebuilt between 1954 to 1958.

Timbre Corte Vue

This is called timbre cote vue or TVC which was normal way to place a stamp and then the cancel were placed on the face or picture side of a postcard. The message from the sender is also written on the front of this card and it is dated on the back by the sender.

There was a practice in the late 19th century to first quarter of the 20th century for early postcards to have stamps posted in front of the view. the cancellation marks also adds beauty to the front side. Unlike the usual practice among present day postcard collectors ( deltiologists) .

It had a 2 centavos Dr. Jose Rizal stamp with cancellation of January 5, 1910 4:30 pm and the postcard was send from Manila, Philippines to Rhone , France . It is an undivided back. The postcard was printed in Germany.

The recipient was Mr. A Rochet from 22 Rue Longue, Lyon, France

The sender or the postcard seller could be Mr. Jose A. Del Barrio with local address from Manila, Philippines.

Glad to have this postcard for a price of a pizza.

References and Useful Links:

Sources and References:

American Regime Manila Thru Postcards (part 1)

American Regime Manila Thru Postcards (part 2)

American Regime Manila Thru Postcards ( part 3)

American Regime Manila Thru Postcards ( part 4)

Personal interview with postcards collectors

Philippine Postcards.com: https://www.philippinepostcards.com/

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Our Lady of Lourdes Postcards

Our Lady of Lourdes is a popular apparition and pilgrim site in France. This is one of the most visited Marian sites in the world with millions of people visiting the place every year.

In the Philippines, there are several places and pilgrim sites which are dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes.

At least 6 million devotees visits the basilica and the site every year.  A lot of Catholic Filipinos would put Lourdes, France in their bucket list after Vatican and Holy Land for pilgrimage.

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan was a favorite pilgrim site among local devotees who cannot afford the airfare going to France.

Our Lady of Lourdes Centenary

This is one of the oldest postcard in our personal collection which commemorates the 100th anniversary of the apparition of blessed mother. The postcard was send from Lourdes, France to Quezon City sometime in May 25, 1958 or more than 62 years ago.

Another popular landmark of the Our Lady of Lourdes is in N. S. Amoranto street formerly called as Retiro street in Quezon City.

Apart from religious statues and rosaries, postcard was another favorite souvenir item when one visits the pilgrimage site.

The postcards were send from 1958 to early 1970’s and one of the cherish collection of the author.

Matchbox Die Cast Cars found at the attic

It was a cloudy and rainy day, when i decided to go to our attic and open a few untouched boxes that were stalked together gathering dust.

There were die cast toy cars , books ,school supplies and fashion accessories which are left untouched over several years or even decades!

While opening few boxes, I saw a plastic Matchbox carry case opened to reveal memories and nostalgia over these die-cast toy cars.

matchbox die-cast cars 1:60 

It was like unboxing of some sort which revealed some stories.  There were 27 die-cast cars – 21 were by matchbox manufactured between 1968 to 1972 and another 3 matchbox made between 1979 to 1984 from Macau, China.

Top- Volkswagen ( Matchbox circa 1972 ) Below -Volkswagen ( Marjortte circa 1970)

There is 1 Marjorette made from France ( Volkswagen) and 2 die cast cars by Playart made in Hong Kong . The doors of Volkswagen ( matchbox ) can opened.

Story

The matchbox die-cast cars haul was initially owned by my cousin, who probably have played with these die-cast cars when he was 3 or 5 years-old. The toys would have been kept over the years at their apartment unit somewhere in Nagtahan until i got a chance to play with some of the toys while spending my summer vacation. ( that was in the late 1980’s to early 1990’s).

iconic London double decker bus 

If i remembered it correctly, the matchbox die cast cars collection were probably far more, some of which might got lost over the years. They kept on moving to several apartment units from Nagtahan, Santa Mesa, San Miguel, Sampaloc and Quiapo over the the period of four decades ! I only got a chance to play with the die cast cars a couple of time since i prefer the plastic toy soldiers and animals.

I think the matchbox plastic container was among among the old pieces that were left in our house. Around 2008 when my aunt decided to moved-out of their Sampaloc apartment. One of the reason was termite infestation and periodic leaking of roofs which cause water seepage which destroyed a lot of medical books, encyclopedias, dress and even toys!

1969 (RW) Field Car

They moved into a smaller apartment unit somewhere in Quiapo and then they bought a house and lot somewhere in Marikina. Eventually some desk made from hardwood and some untouched boxes where left in our house ( given away).

Personal Favorites

My personal favorite would be the two volkswagen, double decker bus and the three matchbox car made in 1979 and two corvette.

matchbox cars given to me as gifts by god father 

My cousin is already a successful anesthesiologist and practicing somewhere in the United States.

The toys may not be that expensive in today’s market value. All of the items are in worn- out condition. It was the nostalgia and reminiscing of our shared childhood when hand me down toys are kept and treasured.

 

 

 

 

 

Philippines-France 70th Anniversary Commemorative Stamps issued by PHILPOST

 

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) releases new joint special stamps featuring paintings of Filipino artist Macario Vitalis and French painter Jacques Villon to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Philippines-France Diplomatic relations.

 

“PHLPost is proud to present paintings of great Filipino artist Macario Vitalis and French painter Jacques Villon presented in miniature form or postage stamps which signifies common engagement, through friendship, and historical ties of both countries known throughout the world ”, Postmaster General Joel Otarra said.

Filipino Modernist Painter

Macario Cruz Vitalis (1898-1990) a Filipino Modernist painter influenced by French Post-Impressionism. Born in 1898 in a small town in Lapog, Ilocos Sur, he was a teenager when he left the Philippines and moved to the Unites States of America in 1927. Where he attended an art school in San Francisco. He left the United States for France in 1927 where he studied in the Academie de Montmarte and set up his studio in the Paris suburb of Puteaux.

Honorary Citizen

In 1975 he was declared “the only honorary citizen” of Ple’stin-les-Gre’ves, Britanny, where he had originally settled. In 1984 he was honored with the Medal of Excellence from the Institute Academique de Paris.

French Counterpart

Jacques Villon (1875-1963) was a French cubist painter and printmaker. Born Emile Mery Frederic Gaston Duchamp in Damville, Eure, in Normandy, France, he came from a prosperous and artistically-inclined family. To distinguish himself from his siblings, he adopted the pseudonym of Jacques Villon as a tribute to the French medieval poet Francois Villon. He lost interest in the pursuit of a legal career and for the next ten years he worked in graphic media, contributing cartoons and illustrations to the Parisian newspapers.

Diplomatic Relations

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and France was established on June 26, 1947 with the signing of Treaty of Friendship in Paris by then Vice-president Elpidio Quirino and then French Foreign Minister Georges Bidault. With 

both countries reeling from wounds of World War II, the Philippines was granted its independence by the United States of America on July 4,1947 and French Republic was restored with the Liberation of Paris on 25 August 1, 1944. 

Early Issuance or Mistake

There were some First Day Covers that was supposed to be issued on June 25, 2017 were sold by mistake at the Philatelic Shop on June 15, 2017 .

The sale was temporary halted a few days after it was learned that a couple of FDC covers had already been sold and some were posted in Ebay .

A stamp , catalog collecting and selling website http://www.philippinestamps.net/  first posted this issue and was later confirmed by some stamp collectors and dealers who were on site and were able to buy some of the disputed FDC.

It was also observed by philatelists and collectors for the past year that there were many stamp issues were NOT available for sale on the announced dates of the issuance. Collectors have to wait for several days or even weeks before they would sell these items.

Technical Description of Stamps

Kind of Issue :Commemorative

Denomination and Quantity  😛 12.00 and P 55.00 – – – 110,000

Date of Issue :June 26, 2017

Last Day of Sale : June 25, 2018 ( before supply last )

Printer :Amstar Company, Inc.

Sheet Composition :8(se-tenant pair)

Perforation :14

Size of Stamps : 40mm x 30mm

Printing Process :Litho Offset (4 colors)

Paper :Imported Unwatermarked

Designer :Rodine C. Teodoro

Designs :Paintings of Filipino Painter MacarioVitalis and French Painter Jacques Villon

Website: http://www.phlpost.gov.ph/

Iris Mittenaere is the New Miss Universe

Ms. Iris Mittenaere is the new Miss Universe .

When she won the Miss Universe final, she became the first European (official) winner since 1990  and Miss Russia in 2002 is not counted since she resigned few months into her reign . She became only the second woman from her country to win the crown after Christiane Martel won in Miss Universe in 1953 . breaking France’s 63 year title drought. This is only the third time a French woman was among the Top 5 delegates of the Miss Universe competition, after   Flora Coquerelin 2015 and  Christiane Martel in 1953.

Miss Haiti, Raquel Pelissier, a 25-year-old survivor of the devastating 2010 earthquake that destroyed her hometown, was named first runner up while Miss Colombia, 23-year-old, Andrea Tovar, was second runner up.

L-R ( Sushmita Sen , Dayanara Torres , Iris Mittenaere Miss Universe 2016 and Leila Lopes )

Miss Philippines ‘s representative Maria Mika Maxine Medina rounded the top 6 .

(Photo courtesy of Miss Universe, LCS and Solar Entertainment )