Spanish-Philippine Specimens

Various Spanish-Philippine stamps were overprinted with “Ministerio de Ultramar / Muestras” (Overseas Ministry / Specimen) or "Muestra" (Specimen). This was generally used on stamps distributed through the International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union to Postal Administrations of all countries to show what stamps had been issued. In this manner the members of the U.P.U. are informed which stamps are valid in other countries. This section provides a detailed list of all known stamps overprinted for Specimen purposes.

Type 1

Handstamped "MINISTERIO DE ULTRAMAR / MUESTRAS" in two lines

"MINISTERIO DE ULTRAMAR" printed with Sans Serif letters
"MUESTRAS" printed with Serif letters
Measurements: Top Row – 4mm x 60mm; Bottom Row – 5mm x 35mm
Overprint Colour: Blue (1871-1888) and Black (1890)
Known on issues between 1871 and 1890

Table of Known Stamps


Type 2

Handstamped "MUESTRA"

"MUESTRA" printed with Sans Serif letters
Measurement: 2.5mm by 14mm
Overprint Colour: Red
Known on issues between 1886 and 1896

Table of Known Stamps


Type 3

Handstamped "MINISTERO DE ULATRAMAR / MUESTRAS" in two lines

"MINISTERIO DE ULTRAMAR" printed with Serif letters
"MUESTRAS" printed with Sans Serif letters
Fancy Scroll Line Between two lines
Measurements: Top Row – 4mm x 42.5mm; Bottom Row – 5mm x 40mm
Overprint Colour: Violet
Known on issues between 1890 and 1896

Table of Known Stamps


Type 4

Typeset "MUESTRA"

"MUESTRA" printed with Sans Serif letters
Measurement: 1mm by 10½mm
Overprint Colour: Violet
Known on 1897 issues

Table of Known Stamps


Type 5

Typeset "MUESTRA"

"MUESTRA" printed with Sans Serif letters
Measurement: 3mm by 13mm
Overprint Colour: Violet
Known on issues between 1897 and 1898

Table of Known Stamps

 

Some Stamps Exist with Obliterating Cancel Over the Word "MUESTRA"


Type 1


Type 2

Table of Known Stamps


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 Last Update: 19.03.2018