B.S.A. COMPANY
Postal Stationery, Miscellaneous, Postmarks, Revenues, Railways Stamps
POSTAL STATIONERY  -  POSTAL CARDS
AR445
1908 (24th December), ‘Rhodesia’ ½d green Arms postal stationery card (H&G 13) addressed to ‘Abercorn / N.E.R.’ (North Eastern Rhodesia). The impressed stamp is cancelled with a superb strike of the rare KALUNGUISI / N. E. RHODESIA (24 Dec) double circle datestamp (with ‘DFC’ for ‘DEC’). The message is headed “en-route / Johnston Falls / 10th December - 08” and was written by a ‘D. Campbell’ concerning an intended publication and the Wemba language. With a KASAMA / N. E. RHODESIA (30 Dec) squared circle datestamp applied in transit and an ABERCORN / N. E. RHODESIA (7 Jan 09) arrival double circle datestamp struck at left. Very fine condition and a very scarce combination of markings, Kalunguisi being particularly elusive.
 
Note: Although the message is headed ‘Johnston Falls’ and dated the 10th December, the card did not enter the official postal system at Kalunguisi until two weeks later. Although planned, it is uncertain if a post office was ever opened at Johnston Falls or if a datestamp was used there. A proof strike is recorded dated March 1931 and we are aware of a report of a datestamp offered on auction many years ago, though we are unable to confirm the status of this.
SOLD