Philippine Stamps and Topical Stamp Collecting, 2nd Edition

Finding the Materials

 

     In order to write a story about eagles for a thematic stamp exhibit, a collector needs knowledge about some philatelic items and information on the eagle. Begin with the stamps of your country. In this particular case, start with eagles on Philippine stamps. Make a detailed list. Find references like catalogs and stamps websites. In addition, asks other people interested in the hobby. After making a list, check the items you like or think important and concentrate on these items. In stamp collecting, this is called the want-list which is similar to the list given below.

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Philippine Eagle on Philippine Stamps, 1967-2008

 

• 1967, August 19: Monkey-eating eagle - 1 stamp from a set of 4 stamps of Philippine Birds; 10s + 5s

• 1982, June 5: Philippine eagle - 1 stamp from a set of 2 stamps; about United Nations Environment Programme

• 1991, July 31: Philippine eagle - set of 4 stamps; P1.00, P4.75, P5.50, P8.00; scientific name - Pithecophaga jefferyi; World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)

• 1994, November 8: Philippine eagle - 1 souvenir sheet from a set; P12.00; about rare and endangered Philippine birds

• 1995, August 10 - Philippine eagle in wildlife scenery - 2 stamps from a set of se-tenant pair and 1 souvenir sheet; P2, P6; about ASEAN Environment Year

• 1995, August 11: Philippine eagle - souvenir sheet; P16; new symbol/national bird

• 1997, December 5: Philippine eagle - set of 3 stamps; P20, P30, P50

• 2001, February 1: Philippine eagle - 1 stamp and 1 souvenir sheet; P5 and P11; conservation stamps; Hong Kong 2001 Stamp Exhibition

• 2008, March 7: Philippine eagle - 1 stamp from a set of 1 miniature sheet of 14 stamps; P7

 

 

     As you try to find these stamps, look also for other philatelic items which feature the Philippine eagle. There are first day covers and postal cards which show the eagle. And there are used covers and post cards, and on these items, Philippine eagle stamps were used. These used items are very good items for competitive exhibition.

 

     Find items that were issued by other countries. Begin by collecting mint stamps. Then proceed to gather other philatelic items. Postal offices of some countries issue, officially, maximum cards, pre-paid postal cards and aerograms. You can get these items directly from the post offices. For the older issues, you can buy them from stamp dealers or you can acquire them by joining stamp exchange programs and stamp clubs and by attending stamp exhibitions. As you go on collecting the philatelic materials for eagles, you will learn that there are items which are difficult to acquire. Some of these items are the following: stamps with error, color variety of the issued stamps, essay, specimen, old covers, first day flown covers, advertising covers and classic covers.

 

 

Finding Info on Eagles

 

     Since we started dealing with eagles on Philippine stamps, begin your search for information on eagle by reading articles and books on Philippine eagle. Below is an article on Philippine eagle which I wrote several years ago and revised this year:

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The Majestic Philippine Eagle

 

     The Philippine eagle is one of the most well-known birds of the Philippines. It is one of the largest eagles in the world with an average height of 1 meter and an average weight of 6 kilograms. It has a wingspan of 2 meters which is the largest for its kind. With such a built, it preys on large mammals such as monkeys and civets as well as on large birds like the hornbills and crows. In fact, it is known as the monkey-eating eagle and it is one of the rare types of eagles that feeds on monkeys. It is also one of the most threatened species and it is listed as a critically endangered bird.

     In the field of science and conservation, the Philippine eagle is named as Pithecophaga jefferyi. That is its scientific name and it is an animal endemic to the Philippines. The original habitat of the eagle was the rainforest of the Old Philippines. It was thought that they were once widespread throughout the islands of the Old Philippines. Today, they can be found only in Mindanao, Samar, Leyte and a few parts of Luzon where there are forest areas. Estimates of the eagle's population range from a minimum of 100 individuals to a maximum of 500 individuals.

 

     The loss of habitat is the primary reason for the decline in the number of Philippine eagle. The continuous destruction of the forest remains as the single most important factor that threatens the existence of the eagle. This situation is aggravated by the eagle's breeding and mating behavior. Philippine eagles are monogamous and they live together for the rest of their lives. They breed every two years. The female lays only one egg and the couple has to take care of the chick for 20 months.

 

     Once fully grown, the chick will look like a powerful bird of prey, which it is. Its massive beak and eyes are bluish gray in color and its head is adorned with light brown crown feathers which complement the dark brown feathers of the upper-side of its body. The lower-side of the body is covered with buffy white feathers. Its thigh and legs are covered with reddish brown feathers, its legs have a yellow color and its talons are black. It is a very powerful and large eagle; it is a majestic bird species; and it is one of the national symbols of the Philippines.

 

     The need to protect and preserve the Philippine eagle cannot be overemphasized. The loss of the species will be a tragedy for the scientific community, a tragedy for the Philippines and a tragedy for humanity.

 

Profile of the Philippine Eagle

 

Conservation Status: Critically endangered

Scientific Name: Pithecophaga jefferyi

Type of Bird: Raptor or bird of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family

Physical Characteristics:

   1. Height - Approximately one (1) meter

   2. Wingspan - Approximately two (2) meters

Range: Endemic to the Philippines; Found in forest areas of Mindanao, Samar, Leyte and Luzon; Almost extinct in Luzon

Habitat: Primary dipterocarp forest

Population: Between 100 to 500 individuals

Threat: Destruction of the forest

 

 

     Look for more reading materials on eagles. These materials are readily available: in newspapers and magazines, in pamphlets, manuals and books, on t.v. and on the internet. Use the "Profile of the Philippine Eagle" format when gathering information. In addition, make sure you have background knowledge on birds in general and birds of prey.

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Finding your Own Story

 

     Now that you have the materials and information you need, you are ready to develop your own story (theme) about eagles. Try to make an outline of your story. It will serve as a guide to the development of the story. In the future, this outline will be used for your thematic stamp exhibit. And always remember this: how you create the story will be up to you. It is YOUR story about eagles.