Aguinaldo stamps

These are stamps issued from between 1898 and 1899 in the Philippine Republic, under the revolutonary leader Emilo Aguinaldo. They include postage, registration, newspaper, telegraph, general fiscal and cattle registration tax stamps.

Aguinaldo helped to lead the unsuccesful 1896 Philippine uprising against the Spaniards. The uprising was crushed and Aguinaldo, who was then mayor of Cavite Viejo, was forced into excile. He left for Hong Kong in 1898.

Aguinaldo returned to the Philippines, and with American help set up his own goverment. (The Phillipine Republic). Later that same year, when America seized the island, he turned against America.

In February 1899, he attacked American troops in Manila and fought until March 1901 when he was captured. At this stage he swore allegiance to the United States and retired into private life. He died in 1964.

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During his independent rule, Aguinaldo started his own local postal and telegraph service. Most stamps show a rising sun, (for freedom), with a human face. All the stamps include the letters KKK which is an abreviation for the Philipine title of the 'Sovereign Worshipful Association of the Sons of the Country. This was a secret society which was set up in 1898. The stamps range in value from 1 milesima to 50 centavos. The registration, newspaper and fiscal issues were inscribed COBNO REVOLUCIONARIO FILIPINAS 1899. Provisional local issues were also released for some of the islands.