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Postage stamps and postal history of South Africa

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1977 stamp of South Africa

This is a survey of the postage stamps and postal history of South Africa.

The Republic of South Africa, previously The Union of South Africa, is a country located at the southern tip of Africa, with a coastline on the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. To the north lie Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe; to the east are Mozambique and Swaziland; while Lesotho is an Independent country wholly surrounded by South African territory.

Pre-Union States

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1885 map of South Africa
Main articles: Postage stamps and postal history of British Bechuanaland, Postage stamps and postal history of the Cape of Good Hope, Postage stamps and postal history of Griqualand West, Postage stamps and postal history of Natal, Postage stamps and postal history of the Orange Free State, Postage stamps and postal history of Stellaland Republic, Postage stamps and postal history of Transvaal, and Postage stamps and postal history of Zululand

Before South Africa was united in 1910, each part of what would later become South Africa issued their own stamps. These were:

During the Second Boer War, some cities issued their own stamps. These were:

Union of South Africa (1910–1961)

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1937 stamps of South Africa

The first stamp of the Union of South Africa was a 21⁄2d stamp issued on 4 November 1910.[2][3] It portrayed the Monarch King George V and the arms of the four British colonies which formed the Union: Cape Colony, Natal, Orange River Colony and Transvaal. Most South African stamps issued between 1926 and 1951 were in pairs. One was inscribed 'SOUTH AFRICA' and the other 'SUIDAFRIKA' or 'SUID-AFRIKA'.

Further commemorative and special issues followed throughout the 1930s, including issues for the Silver Jubilee of King George V and the Coronation of King George VI.

The Second World War was the impetus for another well-known South African stamp format, the so-called “bantams”. In 1941 a set of stamps was issued to publicise the War Effort. Between 1942 and 1944 these stamps were reprinted in a much smaller format, between half and one third the size of the previously issued stamps, hence the nickname “bantam”. [4]

Although still utilising the by now familiar bilingual pairs format, each unit of either two or three stamps was subdivided by means of roulettes, rather than the more normal perforations.

After the end of the Second World War, the push for full independence from Great Britain intensified. This was achieved in 1961 when the Union of South Africa became the Republic of South Africa. Along with a change of name, there was also a change of currency.

The change of currency took place in February, which resulted in a stop-gap measure of several previously issued stamps being reprinted in the new currency. Stamps inscribed with the new name and currency were ready to be issued on the first day of independence, 31 May 1961, although the bilingual pairs format was no longer in use, with each stamp being inscribed in both English and Afrikaans. [5]

Republic of South Africa (1961-)

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The first set of the Republic was issued on 31 May 1961.[6] From 1961 to 1966, stamps were inscribed "REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA - REPUBLIEK VAN SUID-AFRIKA".[6] However, from 1967 stamps were simply inscribed "RSA". Modern issues are just inscribed "South Africa".

South Africa issued many attractive and interesting stamps throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including what is arguably the country's most (in)famous stamp, the withdrawn “Word of God” 40c stamp from 1987. [7]

The stamp was to have been released as part of a set of four commemorating the Bible Society of South Africa, but was withdrawn after objections to the use of the Hebrew word for “God”. Nevertheless, a number of examples were sold at smaller post offices on the day of issue before notification of the withdrawal was received.[8]

South African Bantustans

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The South African Bantustans of Bophuthatswana (1977–1994),[9] Ciskei (1981–1994),[10] Transkei (1976–1994)[11] and Venda (1979–1994)[12] also issued their own stamps.

The South African Bantustans' stamps are given full listing in Stanley Gibbons' Catalogue of British Commonwealth Stamps.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "New Republic | Stamps and postal history | StampWorldHistory". Archived from the original on 2018-03-03. Retrieved 12 August 2018.[title missing]
  2. ^ Rossiter, Stuart & John Flower. The Stamp Atlas. London: Macdonald, 1986, p.300-301. ISBN 0-356-10862-7
  3. ^ "South Africa | Stamps and postal history | StampWorldHistory". Archived from the original on 2018-04-02. Retrieved 12 August 2018.[title missing]
  4. ^ "An introduction to stamps of South Africa". Stanley Gibbons. 2020-04-15. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  5. ^ "An introduction to stamps of South Africa". Stanley Gibbons. 2020-04-15. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  6. ^ a b Potgieter, D. J. (1973). Standard Encyclopedia of Southern Africa. Internet Archive. pp. 36–37.
  7. ^ "An introduction to stamps of South Africa". Stanley Gibbons. 2020-04-15. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  8. ^ "An introduction to stamps of South Africa". Stanley Gibbons. 2020-04-15. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  9. ^ "Bophuthatswana | Stamps and postal history | StampWorldHistory". Archived from the original on 2017-12-14. Retrieved 12 August 2018.[title missing]
  10. ^ "Ciskei | Stamps and postal history | StampWorldHistory". Archived from the original on 2017-12-14. Retrieved 12 August 2018.[title missing]
  11. ^ "Transkei | Stamps and postal history | StampWorldHistory". Archived from the original on 2017-08-05. Retrieved 12 August 2018.[title missing]
  12. ^ "Venda | Stamps and postal history | StampWorldHistory". Archived from the original on 2018-03-03. Retrieved 12 August 2018.[title missing]

Further reading

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  • Berry, T.B. and S.J. Vermaak. The Interprovincial Stamps and Postmarks of the Union of South Africa. Johannesburg: The Philatelic Federation of Southern Africa, 1965 66p.
  • Bishop, Percy C. The Postage Stamps of the Union of South Africa: a collectors' handbook and guide to values. Durban: Philatelic Society of Natal, 1936? 80p.
  • Hagger, S.J. The Stamps of the Union of South Africa, 1910-1961. Cape Town: Published on behalf of the Philatelic Federation of Southern Africa by Reijger Publishers (Pty) Ltd., 1986 ISBN 062009754X 253p.
  • Heffermann, Lutz. The South African Stamp Colour Catalogue 32nd Edition. Johannesburg: International Philatelic Service, 2013 404p.
  • Joseph, B. and J. von Varendorff. NET Catalogue of the Stamps of South Africa & South West Africa. s.l.: B. Joseph, 1974 149p.
  • Lobdell, H. E. The De La Rue Georgians of South Africa. New York: The Collectors Club, 1944 100p.
  • Page, W. A. The Mobile Post Offices of South Africa: the postmarks, registration marks & cachets, 1937-1983. Dartford: W.A. Page, 1989 51p.
  • Putzel, Ralph F. Encyclopaedia of South African Post Offices and Postal Agencies... Cape Town: Hale & Putzel, 1986-1987 Vol. 1.:A-E; Vol. 2: F-M.
  • Quik, W.J. De Postwaardestukken van Zuid-Afrika = The Postal Stationery of South Africa. Part 2. South Afrika 1910-2000. Rotterdam: Filatelistenvereniging Zuidelijk Afrika, 2000
  • Reisener, Hasso O. The Special and Commemorative Postmarks, Cachets and Covers of South Africa, 1892-1975. Pretoria: H. Reisener, 1975 ISBN 0620018593 341p.
  • South African Collectors Society. A Celebration of the Philately of the Union of South Africa: A souvenir booklet to commemorate the centenary of the establishment of the Union of South Africa : 1910-2010. Great Britain: South African Collectors Society, 2010 28p.
  • Van der Linde, W. A. The Post Office. Pretoria: Hollandsch Afrikaansche Uitgevers Maatschappij, 1982 ISBN 0798608382 47p.
  • Vermaak, S.J. A Chronology of the Postal Slogans of South Africa. Florida: SAC, 1979 ISBN 0620038144 92p.
  • Ward, Gordon. The Ship Penny of South Africa. Sale: C.E. Sherwood, 1959 80p.
  • Wyndham, L. A. The Airposts of South Africa. Cape Town: Printed by Cape Times, Ltd., 1936 126p.
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