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South Africa The first Europeans to reach the Cape of Good Hope were the Potuguese, led by the explorer Bartolomeu Dias, in 1488. In 1652 the Dutch East India Company established a supply camp in the area which later became Cape Town. In 1795 British forces invaded and took control of this area till 1803. In 1806 British forces returned and again occupied the territory. Under the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814 the territory was ceeded to Britain. It then remained a British colony until it was incorporated into the Union of South Africa, as the Cape Province, on 31 May 1910. The first stamps to be issued by the
colony were the Cape of Good Hope Triangulars on 1 September 1853. From
19 August 1910 till 31 December 1937 stamps of Cape of Good Hope were valid for use in
any part of the
Union of South Africa.
GRIQUALAND WEST Griqualand West was an area of some 40,000 square kilometres with Cape Colony on its south and the Orange Free State on its west. Sovereignty was disputed between the Orange Free State, Transvaal and the Griqua tribe which had settled there. Arbitration by the Lieutenant-Governor of Natal, R W Keate, gave the territory to the Griqua. The Griqua Chief, Nicholas Waterboer, immediatly offered to place the territory under British administration and this offer was accepted on 27 October 1871. The Orange Free State was paid a sum of £90,000 as compensation. In 1873 Griqualand West became a separate British Colony and in 1880 it became part of Cape Colony. At first stamps of Cape of Good Hope were used in Griqualand West. From September 1874 stamps of Cape of Good Hope overprinted "G. W." or "G" were issued for Griqualand West until it was absorbed by Cape Colony in 1880. Remainders of the stamps, overprinted "G. W." or "G", were then used in Cape Colony as ordinary Cape stamps. NATAL A British settlement was founded in 1824 in what is now Durban (formerly D'Urban). In 1839 Afrikaans speaking Voortrekkers established the Natalia Republic in this area. On 4 May 1843 the territory was proclaimed as the British Colony of Natal. In 1897 Zululand was annexed to Natal. On 31 May 1910 Natal became a province in the Union of South Africa. Natal stamps were first issued on 26 May 1857. From 19 August 1910 till 31 December 1937 stamps of Natal were valid for use in any part of the Union of South Africa. NEW REPUBLIC The New Republic (Nieuwe Republiek) was proclaimed on 16 August 1884 as an independent Boer republic by a group of British and Boer mercenaries. The mercenaries had been granted land rights by Dinzulu (son of Cetshwayo the Zulu king who had died) for thier help in the succession to the Zulu throne. Part of the land grant was annexed by the British while the remainder of the New Republic was recognised as an independent state on 22 October 1886. Because of difficulties on 21 July 1888 the New Republic united with Transvaal. An organised postal service existed from December 1884 and the first stamps were issued on 7 January 1886. International mail was sent either through Transvaal of Natal. Neither of these administrations accepted New Republic stamps as valid so external mail had to have stamps of Natal or Transvaal in combination with those of the New Republic.  On 3 February 1848 the area, later to be the Orange Free State, was proclaimed a British sovereignty by Sir Harry Smith and it was named the Orange River Sovereignty. On 23 February 1854 the Orange River Convention was signed. On 11 March 1854 the British left Bloemfontein and the Boer government took office and established the Orange Free State as a republic. In 1900 it was occupied by the British and named the Orange River Colony. In 1910 the colony joined the Union of South Africa as the Free State Province. The Orange Free State republic first issued stamps on 1 January 1868 and continued until it was occupied in 1900. The stamps were inscribed "Oranje Vrij Staat". When the area became a Crown Colony new stamps were issued inscribed Orange River Colony. From 19 August 1910 till 31 December 1937 stamps of the Orange River Colony were valid for use in any part of the Union of South Africa. TRANSVAAL During the 1830's and 1840's the Boers of Voortrekkers moved into the area which later became the Transvaal and formed several small Boer republics. On 17 January 1852 Britain signed the Sand River Convention with the Boers in this territory recognising their independence. This paved the way to the formation of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (South African Republic) in December 1856. Conditions in the Transvaal detriorated so much that in 1877 the British occupied the territory and remained till 1882. In 1882 the republic was restored again. The second Boer War started in 1899, Pretoria was occupied by the British on 5 June 1900. When peace was concluded in 1902 Transvaal became a British Colony. In 1910 the colony joined the Union of South Africa as the Transvaal Province. South African Republic stamps were first issued on 1 May 1870. During the British Occupation of 1877 to 1882 South African Republic stamps overprinted "V.R. TRANSVAAL" or stamps inscribed Transvaal were issued. With the restoration of the Republic new stamps were printed. When the territory was again occupied in 1900 by the British South African Republic stamps were overprinted "V.R.I." or "E.R.I." During the course of the 1900-2 Boer War local issues of stamps were authorised in Lydenburg, Rustenburg, Schweizer Renecke and Wolmaransstad. The government of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek retreated northward to Pietersburg, when supplies of stamps were exhuasted stamps were produced locally in Pietersburg. When Transvaal became a Crown Colony new stamps inscribed Transvaal were issue on 1 April 1902. From 19 August 1910 till 31 December 1937 stamps of the Transvaal Colony were valid for use in any part of the Union of South Africa. ZULULAND Zululand was an independent kingdom from 1816. Following the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 the British exiled Cetshwayo and divided Zululand into 13 regions, each administered by a kinglet. With continuous strife in the area the British decided to annexe the territory and declared it a Crown Colony on 19 May 1887. Zululand became part of Natal on 31 December 1897. Stamps of Natal were used in Zululand from 1876 till 1 May 1888 when stamps were issued for the Colony. When Zululand ws annexed by Natal Zululand stamps were withdrawn on 30 June 1898 UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA After 4 years of negotiating the Union of South Africa came into being on 31 May 1910 when the colonies of the Cape, Natal, Transvaal and the Orange Free State became Province of the new dominion. From 31 May 1910 each Province continued to use its own stamps. From 19 August 1910 till 31 December 1937 stamps of any of the former colonies were valid for use in any part of the Union of South Africa. Union of South Africa Stamps were first issued on 4 November 1910. REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Following a whites-only referendum on 5 October 1960 the Union of South Africa became a republic and left the Commonwealth on 31 May 1961. Following free democratic elections in 1994 the Republic of South Africa was reinstated as a member of the Commonwealth on 1 June 1994. BOPHUTHATSWANA, CISKEI, TRANSKEI and VENDA These 4 areas were first granted internal self-goverment at different times in the 1960's and 1970's and later independence. These independent "republics" were never recognised by the international community. They were all subsequently reincorporated into the Republic of South Africa on 27 April 1994. During their brief period of independence these "republics" issued stamps. Although these "republics" did not have international recognition their stamps were accepted for international mail. Philatelic Societies for collectors of South AfricaAnglo-Boer War Philatelic SocietyFounded in 1957 the Society leads
the study of the Postal History and
Usages of the 2nd Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. It holds regular
meetings in London and Leamington, produces a quarterly journal and has
published a number of handbooks on various aspects of the philately of
the War. The extensive Society library is available to members.
The Cape & Natal Study Circle Establihsed as the Natal &
Zululand Study Circle, in 1956, to encourage the study of the postal
history, postage stamps, revenue stamps and postal stationery of Natal
and Zululand during the colonial period and the inter-provincial period
which followed. In 2006 ait was decided to change to the Cape &
Natal Study Circle. The objects of the society were extended to cover
the Cape of Good Hope, Griqualand West, British Kaffraria and the
Transkeian territories in addition to Natal and Zululand.
Orange Free State Study Circle The whole range of the many
philatelic aspects of the country, from
1848 to 1910, is studied including the postage stamps with their
postmarks and the rates of postage, the stationery, the revenue and
telegraph stamps and the story of the Anglo Boer War with its effect on
the Orange Free State and later, the Orange River Colony.
The Philatelic Society for Greater Southern Africa PSGSA focuses upon all philatelic
areas related to the following past
and present stamp-issuing entities and areas: Anglo-Boer War, the
Bechuanalands, Botswana, British Central Africa, Cape of Good Hope,
Griqualand East/West, the Homelands, the Interprovisional Period,
Lesotho, Local Posts, Malawi, Namibia, Natal, New Republic, the
Nyasalands, Orange Free State/Colony, the Pre-Adhesive Period, the
Rhodesias, South West Africa (German & British Periods),
Stellaland, Swaziland, Transvaal, Union/Republic of South Africa,
Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Zululand.
South African Collectors' Society Publication - The Springbok Hon Secretary: Christopher Oliver, 16 Woodville Road, Ham, Richard-upon-Thames, Surrey TW10 7QN Tel 01229 474077 Transvaal Study Circle Founded in 1965 the Circle is
devoted to the study of the stamps and
postal history of the Transvaal / South African Republic which includes
New Republic, Stellaland, Goshen, Pietersburg and early Swaziland.
New Issues of South Africa StampsSouth Africa PostGet all the latest New Issues direct from South Africa Selected Pages on South Africa Stamps and South African Postal History CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
Cape of Good Hope Triangulars of 1853Cape of Good Hope - The world's first triangular shaped postage stamp by Jake Shepherd Notes from the Past - Cape of Good Hope 'Woodblocks' - Part I Notes from the Past - Cape of Good Hope 'Woodblocks' - Part II Cape of Good Hope - Postal History by Dr Yannis Lazarides A very comprehensive site of over
90 pages on
the Postal History of the Cape of Good Hope. Dr Yannis Lazarides states "I
have put this collection of pages on the internet to promote the study
of the Postal History of the Cape of Good Hope. The postal history
images presented here are mostly based on my own collection. Here you
will find a mixture of information on virtually every aspect of the
Postal History of the Cape of Good Hope and to a large extent its
people and its history."
Armoria patriæ - the coat of arms of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope Colonial Post and Telegraph Diary of the Cape of Good Hope compiled by Franco Frescura Taken from official sources and archival records Errors and Varieties in Early Southern African Postal Cancellers and Oblitorators by Franco Frescura Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902 The Army Post Office Corps (M
Company 24th Middlesex Volunteers)
were mobilised and set sail for Cape Town on 14 September 1899 aboard
the Dunnotar Castle. On arrival in Cape Town the Base Army Post Office
was established in the newly built Cape Town Post Office building.
GRIQUALAND WEST
History of the Griqua Nation and NomanslandGriqualand West- The Postal Markings by Dr Yannis Lazarides NATAL
Celliers and De VolksstemMaritime
postal history of Port Natal
TRANSVAAL
(Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek or ZAR)by Ken A Baker The comparative rarity of Natal's POA Cancellers by Basil Kantey by Garth Kruger Printing of the first Stamp Commission issue of Transvaal Stamps of the Transvaal An interesting selection of Transvaal stamps including a Fournier Forgery 2s.6d. block of eight Postmarks of Transvaal by Robert S Cragg The Millwood Gold Fields of the Cape Colony by Dr JR Frank RDPSA FRPSL A humble Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek cover bearing a 2d Vuurtheim 1887 stamp, postmarked Johannesburg March 19 1888, proves to be of considerable historical interest. The Canadian Contingent for the South African Constabulary, 1901-1908 Dr J R Frank RDPSA FRPSL ORANGE FREE STATE / ORANGE RIVER COLONY
Oranje Vrij Staat Hospital Tax Hand-stamped
Surchargeby Dr R M Pelteret Orange River Station Post-Office Canceller by Robin Pelteret Stamps of the Oranje Vrij Staat by Robin Pelteret Letters to the Editor of Journal of the Orange Free State Study Circle from Robin Pelteret Armoria patriæ - coat of arms of the Oranje Vrij Staat Orange Free State Forgeries by Rick Turner OFS postage dues: Something new to investigate A G M Batten FRPSL Postmarks Orange Free State 1868 - 1900, Orange River Colony 1900 - 1910 by Robert S Cragg SOUTH AFRICA
Postal Stationery from a South African
attached to the Allied Central Mediterranean and Middle East Forcesby Dr R M Pelteret  ZULULAND by Robert S Cragg Books on South Africa Stamps and South African Postal HistoryThe Active Service Letter Cards, Air Mail Letter Cards and Air Letters of South Africa (1939-1945)T M Mullins, 1999 The Aerogrammes of the Union of South Africa 1942-1961 Eddie Bridges, South African Collectors Society, 2005 Airmails of the Republic of South Africa 1961-1984, a chronological listing including flights in SWA by Capt D J Uys, pub The Aerophilatelic Society of Southern Africa, c1982, 24pp Details of all known first and special flights to or from or within South Africa from 1961 to 1984 The Airposts of South Africa by N C Baldwin and Milton F Stern, pub Aero Field, c1956, 24pp Illustrated listing of South African Airmails. The Airposts of South Africa by L A Wyndham, pub Cape Times, 1936, 126pp Bibliography of the Philately and Postal History of Natal and Zululand by John Dickson, 1999, 24pp British Maritime Postal History Volume 3: The Union Castle Ocean Post Offices by P Cattell, 153 pp Cancels, markings, services between South Africa & Europe 1876-1911, list of Cape mail contract sailings, value guide Cape of Good Hope with Mafeking and Vryburg by Fred J Melville, 1913, 96pp The Censor Seals of the Anglo-Boer War 1899 to 1902 by Neil Snowden & D Hepworth, pub Anglo-Boer War Philatelic Society, 1987, 150pp A Chronology of the Postal Slogans of South Africa by S J Vermaak, 1979, 92pp Early Union and Republic of South Africa Essays in the Post Office Archives 2001, 24pp Full colour booklet which was "Presented to the Sponsors, Jury, Organising Committee, Advertisers and those who gave generously of their time to the Egoli 2001 National Stamp Exhibition." The Encyclopaedia of South African Post Offices and Postal Agencies by Ralph F Putzel, 1986-90, 458pp 406pp 398pp 292pp, 4 vols The handstruck letter stamps of the Cape of Good Hope from 1792 to 1853 and the postmarks from 1853 to 1910 by A A Jurgens, Cape Town, 1943, 140pp The History of the Medical and Hospital Services of the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902 by Peter Prime, pub Anglo-Boer War Philatelic Society, 1998, 190p The history of the postage stamps of the Orange Free State and Orange River Colony from their origin to 1906 by Léon de Raay, 1907, 788pp The History of the South African Army Postal Service by Proud Bailey, 1989, 159pp The Interprovincial Stamps and Postmarks of the Union of South Africa by Dr T B Berry & S J Vermaak, pub Philatelic Federation of Southern Africa, 1965, 66pp The Maritime Marks of South Africa by R D Allen, undated, 281pp The Maritime Marks of South Africa Including German, Italian and Dutch Usage by R D Allen, 1975, 107pp More about the postmarks of the Orange Free State and the Orange River Colony, 1868-1910 by Archibald George Mount Batten, 1973, 403pp Orange Free State : postal and other markings, 1868-1910, an original study by A Cecil Fenn, 1956, 54pp Philately of the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902 by Stephen G Rich, Chalmers Publishing Co, 1943, 226pp Philately of the Boer & British POW Camps; Part A POW Camps in South Africa & the Burgher Camps Anglo-Boer War PS, 1984, 80pp Philately of the Boer & British POW Camps; Part B POW Camps Overseas Anglo-Boer War PS, 1984, 67pp The postal history of Swaziland & Zululand by Edward Wilfrid Baxby Proud, pub Postal History Publications Co, c1996, 182pp The postal markings of Natal by W R Hart, B A Kantel and A Leslie Leon, 1977 168pp A history of postal services and postal markings in Natal & Zululand, including a good deal on postmarks during the Anglo-Boer War. Postal Stationery of Natal by John Dickson and Keith Hanman, pub Cape and Natal Study Circle, 2001, 250pp The Postal Stationery of South Africa. Part 1. Cape of Good Hope, Natal, New Republic, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Zululand by W J Quik and Dr G H Jonkers, 1998, 158pp The Postal Stationery of South Africa. Part 2. South Africa 1910-1997 by W J Quik, 1998, 353pp Postmarks of the Cape of Good Hope : the postal history and markings of the Cape of Good Hope and Griqualand West, 1792-1910 Robert Goldblatt RDPSA, pub Reijger, 1984, 267pp The Postmarks of the Orange Free State and the Orange River Colony 1868-1910 by Archibald George Mount Batten, 1972, 271pp The Postmarks of South Africa and Former States and Colonies by Ralph F Putzel, 1992-99, c2300pp, 7 vols Proceedings of the Army Post Office Corps in South Africa 1899-1902 by Archibald George Mount Batten, pub Orange Free State Philatelic Society, 1983, 45pp Railway Stamps of South Africa by H S Hagen and S P Naylor, Philatelic Fed of SA, 1985, 150pp Revenue Stamps of the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Orange River Colony, Transvaal and the Union of South Africa by Dodd, 1958, 20pp The Revenue Stamps of South Africa by Dodd, 1967, 23pp Runner and Mailcoach, Postal History and Stamps of Southern Africa by Eric Rosenthal & Eliezer Blum, 1969, 280pp The Ship Penny by O Sanford & K Ingen, pub California Collectors Club, 1984, 77pp The Ship Penny of South Africa by Gordon Ward, pub Sherwood, c1955, 80pp South African Airmails, A Chronological Listing by Capt M F Stern, pub The Aerophilatelic Society of Southern Africa, c1970, 92pp Detailed descriptions of all first and special flights to, from and within South Africa also South West Africa South African Postmarks, A Synopsis of the Routine Handstruck Cancellations 1910-1966 by Dr T B Berry, pub Philatelic Federation of Southern Africa, c1967, 54pp The South African Provisional War Stamps, A Complete History by Bertram W H Poole, pub Field 1901, 56pp The Special & Commemorative Postmarks, Cachets & Covers of South Africa 1892-1975 by Hasso O. Reisener, 1975, 341pp The Stampless Air Mail Letter Cards and Air Letters used by South African Troops - 1941–1945 by Tom Mullins, pub The Philatelic Federation of Southern Africa, 2001. 14pp Identification of the various issues of stampless Air Mail Letter Cards and Air Letters used by South African troops in the course of World War II (1941-1945) in the Middle East & Mediterranean. Describes and shows all the various stampless air mail letter cards and air letters used. The Stamps of Griqualand West Lt Cdr Francis John Hamilton Scott Napier, 1906 The Stamps of the Orange Free State: Part 1, The Republican Era 1854 – 1900 by G D Buckley and W B Marriott, 1966 Stamps of South Africa by W N Sheffield, Dr T B Berry, S J Hagger and Sam Legator, pub Collectors Mail, 1979, 454pp Transvaal Philately, The Stamps, Forgeries, Postal History and Miscellanus of the Tranvaal Territories from Inception to Union by Major Ian B Mathews et al, 1986, 291pp Union of South Africa Stamps by Alec Kaplan, Sam Legator, William N Sheffield (Editors), publ The Philatelic Federation of Southern Africa, 1952, 326pp World War II, Prisoner of War and Internment Camps in South Africa and their mail by J B R Findley and Rory Ryan, 2003, 40pp Items of interestNovember 1940 prints from original woodblock plates, the prints are numbered on reverse Barbara
Jurgens was the
daughter of Adrian Albert Jurgens author of "The handstruck letter
stamps of the Cape of Good Hope from 1792 to 1853 and the postmarks
from 1853 to 1910" and other philatelic books. The A A Jurgens - Cape
of Good Hope, Barbara Jurgens Memorial Collection - Cape of Good Hope,
is at the South African Cultural History Museum.
Most of the items used to illustrate
this page were in past Tony Lester Auctions
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