George D. Hauber, Sr., longtime friend and Philatelic Society of Lancaster County member, shared two presentations this evening, one entitled “Semi-Postal Stamps,” highlighting United States Semi-postals, and the second entitled “Overview of Semi-Postal Stamps of the Philippine Islands,” highlighting this country’s semi-postal stamps, each one with a with a surcharge to support a cause to maintain and enhance life on the Philippine Islands.
The stamps tell of the 1519 discovery of the Philippines by Magellan followed by Spanish occupation, a discovery that also demonstrated that the world was round. The Spanish American War led to U.S. Administration until 1935. Shortly afterwards, WWII led to Japanese Occupation. Here the semi-postals supported the campaign to produce and conserve food and aid the Red Cross. A 1943 issue benefited the victim of the major flood on Luzon. Following the war came support for damaged libraries, war widows, children, orphans, and disabled veterans. Later semi-postals supported the Tuberculosis Society.
George shared this very telling story of a nation that survived many challenges and then thrived, and all this is seen in a host of beautiful stamp issues. Enjoy!