Philippines overprinted Espana 84 sheets in demand

By Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

The Republic of the Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands in the Western Pacific Ocean, has enjoyed a long and close relationship with the United States since it was acquired as a territory as a result of the Spanish-American War in 1898. 

Plans for Philippine independence were interrupted by Japanese invasion and conquest in 1942. Americans and Filipinos fought side-by-side to drive out the Japanese. 

After World War II, U.S. military aid and cooperation helped the Philippine government defeat a Communist insurgency. Close cooperation continues today because the American military helps Philippine forces battle Islamic guerillas and terrorism. 

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Stamps of the Philippines are popular with many American collectors, particularly with those who have served, worked or lived there. 

On April 27, 1984, the Philippines issued a set of two stamps and a souvenir sheet of four (Scott 1688-1690) commemorating the Espana 84 international stamp exhibition in Madrid. The souvenir sheet contains four 7.50-peso stamps and was issued perforated gauge 14½ by 15 and imperforate. 

Some of the perforated souvenir sheets were overprinted in black with the stamps surcharged 7.20p (Scott 1690A). Some of the imperforate souvenir sheets were overprinted in red with the stamps surcharged 7.20p (Scott 1690B). 

Most of the overprinted and surcharged souvenir sheets were broken down and sold as individual stamps, but later a few intact souvenir sheets were sold. 

The 2016 Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue values the intact souvenir sheets in both mint never-hinged condition and used condition at $100 each. There is good demand for these souvenir sheets, and they are a good buy at the Scott catalog value.