PHILIPPINES, 1900, 1c-50c "Specimen" Ovpt. Ty. E, Special Printing (213SP-217SP, 218SP-219SP). Original gum, h.r., each with "Specimen" handstamp and each with red "Special Surcharge" backstamp (3c shows thru), rich colors, 15c and 50c small thin spots

FINE-VERY FINE. A RARE SET OF THE PHILIPPINES 1900 SPECIAL PRINTING WITH "SPECIMEN" OVERPRINTS. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN.

According to the Scott Catalogue, in March 1900 one pane of each denomination was prepared for the Paris and Pan-American Expositions. Some were handstamped with Ty. E "Specimen" overprints by H.G. Mandel before the expositions and were destroyed soon after, which accounts for their rarity. Dealer J.M Bartels signed some of these stamps "Special Surcharge" to authenticate them as coming from the Mandel Special Printing panes. In 1904 or later, he handstamped additional surviving examples "Special Surcharge" in red ink as his guarantee, including the set offered here. The Scott Catalogue does not distinguish between the "Specimen", hand-signed or 1904 handstamped versions of the Special Printings, but the handstamped versions offered here are particularly desirable as they can unequivocally be identified as Special Printings.

Ex Tows, Todd and "Whitpain". Scott value of $1,000.00 for each is out of date.

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