Vintage Pope John Paul 2 postcards from Vatican and Rome

There was a big sale few weeks ago by an online seller from France. The seller also sells vintage postcards, stamps, coin, banknotes, photos and first day covers.

The postcards were thematic and featured then Pope John Paul 2 in the early 1983 to mid- 1980’s, mostly issued in Rome, Italy and Vatican City. These types of postcards were commonly sold to pilgrims, tourists, collectors of stamp ( philatelists) and postcards (deltiologists) who collect these types of thematic collection.

( This postcard lot initially cost 3.95 Euro had a marked down price of 2.77 Euro during the flash sale)

Technically, all the postcards were about 37 years-old and are highly collectible items. Thousands of these postcards were printed in many parts of the globe. This marked a long 26 year term from October 16, 1978 to April 2, 2005.

Vintage Pope John Paul 2 Postcards from Vatican and Rome, Italy

( one of the postcard depict Pope John Paul 2 with Vatican Papal seal )

Pope John Paul 2 postcards were sold per lot of 4 pieces – each lot initially cost Euro 3.95 , During the big sale, The lots were sold at Euro 2.77 or almost 30% discount , all the three lot cost only Euro 8.31 excluding shipping.

The three lot cost about Php 480.15 based on April 1, 2021 rate. This is also one way to commemorate his 16th death anniversary.

Pope John Paul 2 postcards dated 1983 ( Pope John Paul 2 upper left side a repeat postcard from the second lot)

According to a fellow deltiologist, Pope John Paul 2 postcards are highly collectible theme and the retail price of the postcard had risen by at least 3 to 5 times over the time.

American Regime Manila Thru Postcards (Part 4)

The arrival of the Americans in 1898 saw the increase number of colorful postcards, these gradually replaced printed postcards during the last decade of the Spanish regime. The postcards were first printed in the United States, while other foreign postcards like French photo postcards, British painted postcards, Germany and Japanese sponsored postcards followed in the local market.

Paco River with bamboo raft

American Regime Postcards

There were at least 30 known companies which printed and distributed postcards from the early 1900 to the mid- 1950’s in the country. This does not include the Japanese sponsored postal cards which were printed during the Japanese controlled republic from 1943 to 1945.

Raphael Tuck and Son Postcard printed in England ( Suspension Bridge )

 The first bridge started its construction in 1849 and was completed in January 4,1852. It used to be called Puente de Claveria (Claveria Bridge)named after the Governor General Narciso Claveria y Zaldua; who was governor-general of the Philippines from July 16, 1844 to December 26, 1849. It was built and owned by Ynchausti y Compañía.

It was built to ease the traffic going to the north side of the Pasig river which includes Binondo, Quiapo and Santa Cruz districts.

the old suspension bridge had two lanes that allow passages of horse and carabao drawn carriage during that time. It was also opened for pedestrians from Quiapo going to Intramuros and nearby areas. The total length of the bridge was 110 meters.

Its old name was Puente de Colgante, and became the first suspension bridge not only in the Philippines but in Southeast Asia as well. This was later replaced by Quezon bridge in 1939.

The suspension bridge was one of the famous landmark in Spanish and American era, Manila.

Pasig river postcard

Mr. Raphael Tuck and his wife started the business in Bishopgate in London in October 1866, The company eventually expanded into printing, distributing and featuring landmarks from all over the world.

Denniston’s Manila, Philippines ( Binondo Canal)

Denniston is one of the printer and distributor of American era postcards in the country.  The code for the company Denniston Philippine Postcards with numbered “D” with at least hundreds of featured landmarks from different parts of the country.

Binondo canal with native cascos and rice

Binondo canals and Pasig river was very popular subject in many of the early postcard issuance. The river is still clean and there are native cascos which ply the river.

Quinta Market is located in the Quiapo district, It is one of the larger public market and it is still around. However the old structure was demolished few years ago to pave way for a newer public market.

Plaza Lawton or Liwasang Bonifacio during the early part of 1900 during the early part of the American administration.

Old Spanish Gate within Intramuros – This was printed by Philippine Educational Company ( PECO).

Botanic Garden– This is one of the oldest known botanic garden not just in the country but in Southeast Asia.  This used to be called Jardin Botanico de Manila then changed the name to Mehan Garden.

Botanic Garden by Photo Supply Co.

Manila Central Post Office – This building is one of the first neo-classicial style built during the American regime.

Tanduay Fire Station – This fire station is another iconic landmark and still around.

Calle Palacio – This is one of the most important street in Intramuros.

Manila Cathedral – This is one of the most featured cathedral in the country.

Manila Cathedral with Pope Pius XI

This was a postcard issued sometime in commonwealth the mid- 1930’s. Pope Puis XI served from 6 February 1922 to his death in February 10, 1939.

Manila Cathedral facade

Bilibid Prison –  This correctional institution is another well-known landmark in Manila.

Rotunda Fountain and Tranvia – The fountain was built in 1884 to commemorate the inauguration of Manila’s waterworks system. However, in 1976 the Rotonda de Sampaloc paved way to ease traffic congestion and was eventually moved the fountain to the MWSS office in Quezon City. Where it stayed for almost 20 years, until it was moved again in Plaza Santa Cruz in 1995 during the second term of then Mayor Alfredo S. Lim.

YMCA Building Postcard– This was the old building by  Young Men’s Christian Association in Manila issued in the 1907.  The old building location is near Sm Manila which is at the back of the Manila Cityhall.

According to a postcard and stamp collector, This type of postcards used to be quite common in many curio stores and even old bookstores in Metro Manila even until the mid- 1970’s.

Sources and References:

American Regime Manila Thru Postcards (part 1)

American Regime Manila Thru Postcards (part 2)

American Regime Manila Thru Postcards ( part 3)

Collins English Dictionary : Postal Card

Littrell, Robert, Ed; Postal Cards of Spanish Colonial Cuba, Philippines, Puerto Rico, UPSS, 2010.

Personal interview from postcard collectors

Philippine Postcards page 130 to 137 Consuming Passions

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

Puente Colgante. ( 2005). In Virgilio Almario ( Ed.), Sagisag Kultura ( Vol 1). Manila: National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

1950’s Philippine Christmas Postcards and Greeting Cards Haul

It is just 35 days before Christmas. Got a chance to arrange a couple of family memorabilia tucked in one corner.

obverse side of the Christmas greeting card ( Bank of Commerce building) circa 1950 to 1951

Christmas greetings

only few Christmas greeting cards were kept which dates back earlier than 1950’s. Most were destroyed by two fires which gutted most of the memorabilia and other items during the war and in the late 1960’s. Some where thrown away, while others were eaten by termites.

obverse side with Season’s Greetings and building

A Soriano Y Cia

Sending Christmas greeting cards and postcards were normal way of greeting clients, friends, family members from all over the world. Unfortunately, with the advent of internet and social media age, fewer people even dare to send this traditional way of greeting.

Maligayang Pasko with traditional nipa hut circa 1951( obverse)

They think that it was expensive and crude-some to send someone Christmas greeting cards. Some may not even arrive on time, while other may lost in transit.

with handwritten message and a generic type written greeting

“Kapayapaan sa lupa at Kaluwalhatian  sa Langit ang umaatin sa araw na ito.”

This is one of the early Christmas greeting card printed in the country. The greeting card was address to Lasena in 1951 by Mr. Ceferino S. Reyes c/o Philippine Education Company P.O. Box. Manila.

Handwritten” Don Berto, y Distinguido Señora

The lithography was made by Carmelo and Bauermann, Inc. Exclusively for Philippine Education Co. Inc.

Marcelo Industry ( obverse) 1951 to 1952 printed in the Philippines probably customized. ( possibly printed in Malabon, Rizal province )

greetings from Marcelo Industry- Malabon , Rizal province

Philippine Christmas Postcards and Greeting Cards

Christmas Greeting from Chua Yap – Manila 1951 (Philippine Mirror Factory)

From F. E Zuellig Inc. ( well known multi-national pharmaceutical company )

It was middle part of the 19th century when sending Christmas greeting cards became cheaper with printing cost and distribution went down.  Most of the greeting cards were printed in  Great Britain, United States of America, Germany, Spain and France.

The greeting cards that were available in the country were sold in Escolta, bookstores and bazaars in downtown Manila.  It is quite rare to encounter Christmas greeting cards or postcards printed in the country before the 1930’s. Most were imported from other countries, particularly the United States, Great Britain or Spain.

obverse ( with embossed poinsettia flowers) circa 1951 to 1952

People would prefer imported Christmas cards since it had nice color and had a glossy finished.

from P.E Domingo Inc. which had their office in 13 to 15 Escolta street, Manila

It was only during the early 1950’s when some big corporations, politicians and rich families started customization of Christmas postcards or greeting cards printed in local printing stores or publishing companies.

greeting card from Mr. and Mrs. Jose Fernandez Zorrilla

They would be send via Bureau of Post or personally handed the card to the recipient.

greeting card from Lt. Colonel and Mrs. Emigdio C. Cruz circa 1951 to 1952 from Agno Street, Quezon City

Wide variety of materials were used in printing of Christmas postcards like photo-paper print which depict some tourist spots.

obverse ( our lady of lourdes ) with cartoonish character riding on top of a carabao

Sam Studio 250 Ongpin Street, Binondo , Manila ( probably late 1950’s to early 1960’s) reverse side.

I also got a few Christmas postcard from an online friend base in Laguna province. Her grand uncle use to have a private printing press in Quezon City. The uncle collects a couple of old photos, postcards, stamps and Christmas greeting cards send to him by his friends and clients.

The Christmas greeting cards featured were between 60 to 68 years-old. Other bookstores would follow the trend and popular Hallmark greeting cards would become common in the following decades.

By purchasing some of these well-known postcard or greeting cards, one can help a child or a community. Plus the value of collecting these items will surely bring nostalgia and cherishing effort.

American Regime Manila Thru Postcards (Part 3)

Manila and her immediate towns and landmarks were always the main feature during the American regime.

Escolta street earn the moniker “Queen of Manila’s street” since this one of the oldest street and a major street of the city.

One of the oldest streets in Manila, Escolta was created in 1594. Its name was derived from the Spanish word escoltar, meaning “to escort”. This was further developed during the late Spanish and American colonial regime when tall buildings were built.

Another important note is this street would host ticker tape parade when visiting dignitaries, crowned beauty queens and heads of states even until the mid-1970’s.

There was an obscure ordinance in Manila that requiring men to wear formal dress when within Escolta. This was finally repealed in the early this millennium.

American Regime Postcards

Avenida Rizal

Avenida Rizal is one of the important commercial centers of pre-war Manila. This comprises of Quiapo, Santa Cruz district. The business activity from Avenida Rizal is an extension from nearby Escolta. Some businessmen preferred this district since rentals is a little bit lower compared to Escolta, Chinatown or Binondo.

Bridge of Spain with trolley tracks and industrial area

Bridge of Spain – Is one of the most featured bridge of Manila during the late Spanish and American regime.  This postcard was probably printed before 1914 flood which had almost destroyed the bridge.

Government Printing Plant– postcards was issued around 1909. This building was one of the casualties of the last war.

Philippine General Hospital– This hospital is one of the facilities built by the Americans.

Manila Hotel– is the grand dame of hotels in the city, opened in 1912, it was once the residence of General Douglas Macarthur. Ernest Hemingway, to say, ‘It’s a good story if it’s like the Manila Hotel,”. This hotel is one of the most featured hotel in the country.

Most of the landmarks featured were infrastructure built by Spanish and American colonial government. Please try to visit my previous post on postcards issued during the American regime .

Link to “American regime Manila thru Postcards” Part 2 and Part 1

Sources and References:

Collins English Dictionary : Postal Card

Littrell, Robert, Ed; Postal Cards of Spanish Colonial Cuba, Philippines, Puerto Rico, UPSS, 2010.

Personal interview from postcard collectors

Philippine Postcards page 130 to 137 Consuming Passions

2019 Calendar and Postcard Features Places in the Philippines Named after Native Plants

Philippine Native Plant Conservation Society Inc. (PNPCSI ) a non-stock, non-profit and non-government society which advocates the popularization of native plants, trees, orchids and its ethono-botanical uses had came up with a limited 1,000 pieces print of 2019 Calendar and postcard issue.

2019 calendar/ postcard

This features 12 native plants and trees with local and scientific names . There are a lot of places, towns and cities in the country which are named after plant species.

Aside from being a highly collectible issue, This also serves as both educational tool and increase awareness for the plight of these native tree and plant species. A lot of which are in the endangered species list.

Pitogo plant was featured in this March 2019 calendar

The calendar/ postcards was launched during the Christmas get-together by the group last December 8, 2018.

The postcard portion can be detached and send to postcard/ stamp collectors from all over the world.

Some postcard and stamp collectors told the author that they should be given advance notices so that they could pre-order in advance. ( Sorry, I was also informed at the last minute.)

This is not the first time that the society had printed this type of calendar/ postcard. It is good that they listen to my suggestion as one of the original founding member and officer of the society-  More than 10 years ago!.