Spanish-Philippine Perfins

A Perfin (Perforated Initials) is a perforated design, symbol, insignia, letter, or group of letters in a postage stamp placed there by an individual, organization, or government agency for the purpose of controlling the stamp's postal use.  They are known to exist printed normally (viewed from front and back respectively); inverted (viewed from front and back respectively); or occasionally sideways.

Smith, Bell and Company

Smith, Bell and Company was founded in Liverpool, England in 1846. It opened an office in Manila in early 1847, and later expanded to other Philippine cities. During the 1870s and 1880s, when its perfins were in use, they had branch offices in Cebu and Iloilo. The company played a major business role in the Philippines as a shipping agent for many key agricultural exports, such as sugar and help; as well as an insurance agent. The firm continued through 1898 and during the 20th century, was acquired by Filipino interests and remains present under its original name today.

'S. B & Co' in two lines

A period occurs after the 'S' but not after the 'B'
Known to occur inverted
Used between 1870s and 1880s
Earliest Known Usage on King Amadeo 12c Rose issue of 1872 (Gooding Collection)

 

Known Stamps with 'S. B & Co' Perfin:

Scott #

Period

Value

43

King Amadeo

12c Rose

52

King Alfonso XII

2c Rose

56

King Alfonso XII

12c Lilac

57

King Alfonso XII

20c Violet Brown

58

King Alfonso XII

25c Deep Green

72

King Alfonso XII

2c on 25m Green

78

King Alfonso XII

2-4/8c Ultramarine

79

King Alfonso XII

2-4/8c Ultramarine

80

King Alfonso XII

2-4/8c Ultramarine

81

King Alfonso XII

5c Gray

83

King Alfonso XII

8c Yellow Brown

87

King Alfonso XII

20c Bistre Brown

88

King Alfonso XII

25c Dark Brown

 

R R and Company

Little is known about this firm, including its nationality and true name. The firm was present in Manila from the 1870s through the 1880s.

'R. R & CA' in two lines


Unknown Firm in Manila
A period occurs after the first 'R' but not after the second 'R'
Used between 1870s and 1880s
Earliest Known Usage on King Alfonso XII 10c Blue issue of 1877 (Gooding Collection)

 

Known Stamps with 'R. R & Ca' Perfin:

Scott #

Period

Value

55

King Alfonso XII

10c Blue

59

King Alfonso XII

2c on 12c Rose

60

King Alfonso XII

12c on 25m Black

62

King Alfonso XII

25m Black

67

King Alfonso XII

100m Yellow Green

71

King Alfonso XII

250m Bistre

72

King Alfonso XII

2c on 25m Green

73

King Alfonso XII

8c on 100m Carmine

75

King Alfonso XII

8c on 100m Carmine

77

King Alfonso XII

2-1/2c Brown

83

King Alfonso XII

8c Yellow Brown

89

Era of Surcharges

2c on 2-1/2c Brown

116

Era of Surcharges

8c on 2r Blue

 

H and Company

Spanish-Philippine Perfins

Little is known about this firm, including its nationality and true name. This firm was present in Manila, and possibly Iloilo, from the 1882 through 1898. Some have speculated that it is Heacock and Company that occurred in Manila in the 20th century. However, there is no evidence to confirm this.

'H & Co' in one line

Unknown Firm in Iloilo and Manila
 Found on 1892 and 1898 issues only

Known Stamps with 'H & Co' Perfin:

Scott #

Period

Value

174

King Alfonso XIII

20c Gray Brown

201

King Alfonso XIII

5c Carmine Rose

204

King Alfonso XIII

10c Vermilion

204-I

King Alfonso XIII

10c Vermilion (Imperf)

 

Expanded from an article by Don Peterson – “Perfins of the Spanish Philippines”, IPPS Newsletter, 4th Quarter 2003

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