New portrait definitive Spanish stamps were issued in early 1855, with additional portrait types continuing through early 1865.
![]() WMK 104
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![]() WMK 105
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The two paper watermarks illustrated above were used during 1855 and 1856. These watermarks were discontinued in 1856, and watermarked paper was not used again until the definitive issues of 1876.
All of the definitive postage stamps of this period feature the profile of Queen Isabella II. They are imperforate, and
they were printed on various types of papers, yielding a number of
collectible varieties.
The five major-type definitive Spanish stamps shown above were issued between 1855 and 1859. There are three major printings of these stamps, as indicated in the catalog detail tables below.
Four of these denominations were issued in April 1855 on bluish paper with WMK 104 - the loops watermark.
Four of these denominations were issued in January 1856 on rough yellowish paper with WMK 105 - the crossed watermark.
All five of these denominations were issued in between 1856 and 1859 on smooth white paper, and they are unwatermarked.
The six new definitive Spanish stamps shown above were issued between 1860 and 1861. They are printed on tinted papers and they are unwatermarked.
The Scott Catalog details are as follows:
The six new definitive Spanish stamps shown above were issued in July 1862. These were the first stamps inscribed "ESPAÑA". They are printed on tinted papers and they are unwatermarked.
The Scott Catalog details are as follows:
The six new definitive Spanish stamps shown above were issued in January 1864. They are printed on tinted papers and they are unwatermarked.
The Scott Catalog details are as follows:
The seven new definitive Spanish stamps shown above were issued in January 1865. They are printed on white, unwatermarked paper and they are imperforate.
These new imperforate stamps were not in use very long, before perforation began. As a result, most of them are very scarce, even in used condition.
The imperforate 4 C. denomination stamp was never put into use.
The Scott Catalog details are as follows:
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Return to Spanish Stamps from
Definitives of 1855-1865
There were four major obliteration types used during this period.
Grid Type
The grid type cancellations were used, beginning with the 1853 issues of Queen Isabella II. The grid type cancellations are very common.
Cartwheel Type
These cancellations consist of a segmented double circle, usually with a numeral in the middle.
Circular Date Stamp
Circular date stamp or town cancellations appear during this period. They are scarcer than the grid or cartwheel cancellations, and they usually command a premium.
Parallel Bars or Lines
Stamps of 1854 to 1882 that are canceled with parallel horizontal bars or lines are REMAINDERS. Though these are the original stamps, these remainders are worth only a tiny fraction of the prices of the original stamps with contemporary postal cancellations.
Most of the definitive stamps of Queen Isabella II are very expensive in mint condition. Even many of the used condition stamps are rare and expensive in their own right.
As with anything of great value, there have been people throughout history that seek to profit by deceiving unsuspecting collectors.
There are forgeries and unofficial reprints of almost all the early definitive postage stamps of Spain. One should be very careful, when buying any expensive classical postage stamps. It is a good idea to only purchase high-priced items that are clearly authenticated or certified.