The Republic of South Africa, located at the southernmost portion of Africa, boasts a rich and diverse philatelic history. Before the unification of South Africa in 1910, various regions issued their own stamps, creating a fascinating array for collectors. The African stamp market, in general, is one of the most vibrant areas of the market today.
Early Philatelic History
Prior to 1910, several entities now part of South Africa issued their own stamps:
- Cape of Good Hope: Originally a Dutch colony, it passed to the British after the Napoleonic Wars.
- Natal: A former British crown colony on the southeast coast of Africa.
- Transvaal: Formerly the South African Republic, it was also once a British colony.
- Orange River Colony: Another region that contributed to the formation of the Union.
These tensions, intensified by the discovery of diamond and gold deposits and increasing English immigration, resulted in the Boer War of 1899-1902, which ended with British occupation of the formerly independent Boer republics.
During the Boer War, some cities issued their own stamps as provisionals. The most famous of these were issued at Mafeking, where the defending British force was commanded by Gen. Robert S.S.
Griqualand West
Located in South Africa, north of the Orange River, this territory was occupied by the British in 1871 and established as a British crown colony in 1873. Griqualand West issued one provisional at Kimberley in 1874 and many varieties of the overprint "G" on various Cape Colony stamps during 1877-78.
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The Union of South Africa (1910-1961)
In 1910, the British colonies of Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River Colony united to form the Union of South Africa, a self-governing dominion within the British Commonwealth. The first stamp of the Union of South Africa was a 2½d stamp issued on November 4, 1910. 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. 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”.
The Republic of South Africa (1961-Present)
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. 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, May 31, 1961, although the bilingual pairs format was no longer in use, with each stamp being inscribed in both English and Afrikaans. The first set of the Republic was issued on 31 May 1961. From 1961 to 1966, stamps were inscribed "REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA - REPUBLIEK VAN SUID-AFRIKA". However, from 1967 stamps were simply inscribed "RSA".
Apartheid Era Stamps
After 1948, South African internal policy was based on apartheid, a program of separate development of the races. This policy reserved for the white minority the best jobs, political control of the government, and much higher wages than those of other ethnic groups. The plan aimed at the eventual creation of a large number of independent ethnic states.
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Four black states (Bantustans) were created: Transkei (1976); Bophuthatswana (1977); Venda (1979); and Ciskei (1981). None received international recognition, although each issued stamps that were routinely used within their borders.
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. 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”.
South African Official Varieties and Errors
South African Official varieties and errors should, in theory, represent a sound area of the stamp market for investment. One notable example is the Government Official stamp, which features an error that gained fame due to early philatelic debate about its legitimate issuance. The error on this Government Official stamp is made more famous because of the early philatelic debate surrounding whether it was legitimately issued in error.
These overprints were applied by letterpress (typography). Because of the manual process involved, collectors have identified an abundance of printing varieties and errors over the years. In this process, an operator typed the overprint on a keyboard. The plates were never set and were manufactured using the “Linotype” process.
Only one mint sheet has ever been identified. That said, the aim is always to provide you the best quality at a price below fair value. Mint sheets had to be printed before they could be used for postage. The existence of this mint sheet was initially disregarded by the doyens of Union philately.
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