King Alfonso XIII of Spain Tarjeta Postal

King Alfonso XIII (17 May 1886 – 28 February 1941) was the Spanish monarch who was born in 1886. He was immediately proclaimed king under the regency of Maria Cristina ( his mother). In 1902, on his 16th birthday, he assumed full authority as king until his abdication in 1931.

Tarjeta Postal – Postal Card/ Postcard

King Alfonso XIII postcard commercially used dated January 17,1906 by Pototipia de Hauser V Menet Undivided Back (c. 1901-1907) Madrid

He was the ruler of the country, when Cuba gained their independence, Philippine, Guam, Puerto Rico were sold to the United States of the treaty of Paris in 1898. The remaining islands of Caroline islands ( Islas de Carolinas) formerly part of Spanish East Indies were eventually sold to Germany in 1899 for 25 million pesetas or 17 million golds mark. Spain only remaining colonies are the Spanish Sahara in Northern Africa and some enclaves.

Aside from the decline of Spain as a world power, This was also one of the most turbulent episodes in Spanish history.

back portion of the tarjeta postal – the postcard was send from Spain to England with King Alfonso XIII stamp

Popular Myths Behind King Alfonso XIII coins and stamps

There are coins, banknotes, postage stamps, telegraph stamps and tarjeta postal issued during the Spanish regime in the country which bore his portrait – Almost same design were also issued in Puerto Rico, Guam, Cuba with few minor differences. When the coins were minted in Madrid and issued in Manila for general use, They were not so popular compared to Queen Isabel 2 and King Alfonso XII.

The XIII or number 13 was sometimes considered “unlucky” to those people collecting them. There are some old time collectors who recounted their stories , that some do not even dared to touch the coins due to the fear of getting “unlucky” (malas).

As years passed by, The coins, stamps and ephemera of King Alfonso XIII became popular because a lot of the items were destroyed during the Spanish civil war during the middle part of 1936 to early 1939. Some of the local collection were lost during the last world war, natural calamities, fires and even neglect by their owners.

Some of the coins were eventually remelted down after the war up to the 1980’s for the use in different local silversmith ateliers, altar pieces or reselling them. Those are just some of the contributing of the scarcity of the coin.

There are still some King Alfonso XIII or King Alphonse XIII stamps and postcards that are still affordable for sale in popular online auction sites or local stamp collecting bourse.

It had been more than 1 year since the last local stamp club held their local bourse due to IATF and enhanced community quarantine restriction.

Bought this postcard in an online auction site, few months ago for a price of a fast food burger meal. It was quite rare to find this in local stamp bourse/ auction club meeting.

King Alfonso XIII Abdication and Death

He left Spain voluntarily after the municipal elections of April 1931, which were taken as a plebiscite on abolishing the monarchy. Alfonso XIII renounced his rights to the defunct Spanish throne on June 15, 1941 in favor of Juan. He died of a heart attack in Rome on 28 February of that year. He was buried in Spanish National Church of Santiago and Montserrat (Santa Maria in Monserrato degli Spagnoli) in Rome before his body was repatriated in 1980.

He was re interred in El Escorial in Spain.

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Vintage Puerta Real Postcard

Puerta Real which means (Royal Gate) was built in 1663 at the end of Calle Real de Palacio (now General Luna Street) and was used exclusively by the Governor-General for state occasions.

The gate was destroyed during the brief British occupation and was rebuilt in 1780 and moved further west to its present location as part of the new defense plan for Intramuros. During the Battle of Manila, the gate was damaged. It was restored in 1969 with additional work made in 1989.

Compared to Puerta Isabel 2 in which some portions of the wall was not restored. Puerta real gate was transformed into beautiful garden ideal for pre-nuptial photography, wedding and event.

Puerta Real Gate with two stamps affixed which bore the portrait of Dr. Jose Rizal valued at 2 centavos

Postcards were popular souvenir item send to relatives, friends and acquaintances during the American regime. Americans were curious on their far flung Asian colony. It was from around 1900 to 1940 where the golden age of postcards stemmed from a combination of social, economic, education and governmental factors.

It was also the rise of faster means of communication from steam ships to airplane. Sending of letters, telegrams and postcards became faster from the point of origin to the recipient.

Early collectors would fancy anthropological theme, costumes, buildings, people washings clothes and carabaos.

During this time saw a peculiar way of affixing stamps on postcard. There are some stamps which were affix together with the photo and the cancellation marks are quite visible. Some enterprising philatelists, curio store owners and even tourists would send their mailed postcards abroad.

Some would deliberately put a higher denomination stamps to further increase the value. There were some postcard collectors who would fancy the way on how the stamp were affixed on the postcard.

Sometimes they are incorrectly called Maxicard. Postcards with a postage stamp placed on the picture side of the card and tied by the cancellation, usually the first day of issue or during the date of travel which makes the postcard special and cherish mementos among early travelers.

It was from French term “timbre cote vue” – This was a fad not just in Europe but in many parts of the world. It placed the postage stamp on the picture side of the postcard. The term told authorities that the stamp is placed upon the view side. Sometimes these words were hand printed or applied with rubber stamps, can also be omitted. since the stamps have no relations with the postcard.

References, Sources and Bibliographies:

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 )

Chicago Postcard Museum

Herpin, Georges. “Bapteme” in Le Collectionneur de Timbres-Postes, Vol.I, 15 November 1864, p.20.

Sutton, R.J. & K.W. Anthony. The Stamp Collector’s Encyclopaedia. 6th edition. London: Stanley Paul, 1966.

Patrick, Douglas & Mary. The Hodder Stamp Dictionary, Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1973, p.261. ISBN 0-340-17183-9.

Philippine Postcards page 130 to 137 Consuming Passions

Personal interview

Vintage Thanksgiving Postcard

Happy Thanksgiving to all !

This is the time of the year when Americans, Canadians and even Brazilians celebrates “Thanksgiving” .

This is quite popular holiday that Americans would send letters, postcards whenever they are in any parts of the globe.

According to some old folks and those who witness the American occupation, commonwealth, post war period ( 1946 to 1965) in the Philippines.

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines ( 1942 to 1944), both the Americans in the country and Filipinos celebrated Thanksgiving Day secretly.

There are some postcards which were printed in the Philippines and send by Americans, teachers, tourists and military personnel to their love ones. Some Filipino-American families would host “Thanksgiving” meal during that time.

Thanksgiving was a holiday in the country all throughout the American occupation,post war period up to the late 1960’s. Manila Hotel would host great parties and events related to the event.

However, upon the declaration of martial law through Proclamation 1081 in 1972, Marcos issued Proclamation 1181 in 1973, moving the annual celebration to Sept. 21 to coincide with the establishment of “Bagong Lipunan” or New Society.

Eventually, this holiday was forgotten by many Filipinos and most of the celebrations are held at the United States embassy, American women’s association and American communities.

Although ” Thanksgiving” postcard printed in the country is abiet rare, I have seen some in private collectors who somehow cherish them.

This postcard was part of the vintage postcard lot bought at a local stamp bourse/ auction few years ago. The consignor was an American stamp, postcard and magazine collector.

Just sharing some useful information and the symbolism of the turkey in their postcard. The postcard is about 100 years old with embossed corner.

Bibliographies, Sources and Interviews:

Postcard collectors- Mr. Reynaldo de Jesus, Mr. Jimmy Ang, Mrs. Leticia Perez, Ms. Nitz Ortega and Mr. John Joseph Hernandez

Philippine Postcards page 130 to 137 Consuming Passions

Useful Links: American Regime Postcards of Manila

American Regime Manila thru Postcards 1:https://renz15.wordpress.com/2019/08/22/american-regime-manila-thru-postcards-part-1/

American Regime Manila thru Postcards: https://renz15.wordpress.com/2019/08/27/american-regime-manila-postcards-part-2/

American Regime Manila Thru Postcards 3: https://renz15.wordpress.com/2019/09/13/american-regime-manila-thru-postcards-part-3/

American regime Manila Thru Postcards 4: https://renz15.wordpress.com/2020/03/04/american-regime-manila-thru-postcards-part-4/

Dover Halloween Reto Vintage Postcard

Happy Halloween to all!

This is the time of the year in which halloween is celebrated in many parts of the world. But due to the covid 2019 pandemic, fewer people tend to celebrate and send postcards this year compared to the previous years.

Halloween is a specialized theme event for those who collect postcards. The postcard is highly collectible in many parts of the globe.

Dover Halloween Retro Vintage Postcards

A friend send me a complete set of Dover postcards few months ago. The postcard series was printed in 1988 featuring some vintage Halloween themes between early 1900 to the mid 1930’s.

The postcard series is still available in popular online buying site with price ranging from $6.00 for 24 pieces to around $20.00 excluding shipping cost.

Weight for the entire series is about 4.3 oz, Width is 8.3 inches and Length is 10.9 inches for the postcard.

Do not forget to send those Halloween postcards

Iconic Manila Hotel real photo postcards

Manila Hotel is one of the most photographed hotels in the country since her establishment in 1912.

With the advent of photography. First known photo studios were introduced in Manila in the later part of the 19th century. Taking photos of people, fiesta, landmarks, recuerdo de patay (memories of the dead) became more popular. Manila hotel postcard with the use of photos became an instant hot commodity among collectors of Filipiniana, memorabilia, postcard, photo collectors not only in the country but also from all over the world.

Manila Hotel photo postcard circa 1925

Manila Hotel real photo postcards

The Manila bay harbor was dredged with millions of tons of mud, gravel and sand were used to reclaim and extend the Luneta, making room for the Elks Club, the Army Navy Club and the crown jewel of the project was a premiere hotel with modern amenities that soon to be called the Manila Hotel.

The Malecon drive which was popular as seaside passageway and promenade area during the Spanish regime was widen and reclaimed. Eventually the drive became Dewey boulevard or Roxas boulevard.

The moat which connects parts of intramuros or walled city to the Manila bay was filled and turned into a municipal golf course and garden.

The site of the hotel was next to Pier 7, where it was now possible to berth four large passenger ships.

Pier 13 is also near the hotel which added more traffic and guests to the hotel.

Visitors can book a room at the hotel and short calesa ride into the historic city centers like Intramuros, Ermita, Malate and Luneta park. During those times, the social event would center in escolta. Eventually the grand social hall of the hotel serves as a nerve center to even the political meetings and gatherings.

It was the in-thing for the wealthy and socialite during American colonial regime to be spotted within Manila Hotel, much of today’s Bonifacio Global City or BGC.

Mr. Daniel Burnham commissioned American architect William Parsons to design the Manila Hotel as well as many buildings with the California style mission which was in vogue in many parts of the United States and Europe.

Manila Hotel circa 1947 photo postcard

Manila Hotel circa 1957 with post war cars and trees growing

Manila Hotel with large acacia and narra trees circa 1959

Please try to visit the other previous article links for Manila Hotel :

American Regime Manila thru postcards part 3: https://renz15.wordpress.com/2019/09/13/american-regime-manila-thru-postcards-part-3/

Manila Hotel postcard by Cardinell Vincent :https://renz15.wordpress.com/2020/10/27/manila-hotel-postcard-cardinell-vincent-company/