Description
original colour engraving.
A RARE 12-centavo blue and a RARE 20-centavo orange postage stamp issued by The United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The design features a map of the Philippine Islands with a star marking Manila.
It commemorates the 33rd International Eucharistic Congress held in Manila from February 3–7, 1937. It marked the first time this major Catholic gathering took place in Asia, drawing over 1.5 million pilgrims and featuring a landmark Pontifical Mass at Luneta (now Rizal Park). As the first event of its scale in the Far East, the 33rd IEC was a massive milestone for the Catholic Church in the Philippines, which was at the time under the American Commonwealth. A special set of 6 stamps was released to commemorate the occasion, each with a map of the Philippines at centre.
