ZUID-AFRIKAANSCHE REPUBLIEK / TRANSVAAL
Postal History and Postal Stationery
POSTAL HISTORY
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| T2222 |
1890 (31st October) incoming envelope from England bearing a QV 4d ‘Jubilee’ (SG 205) tied by a Chingford S.O. squared circle datestamp. Believed to have been carried on the Garth Castle which sailed on 7th November, the envelope is addressed simply to a ‘Mr Ralph Wakely / Post Office / Johannesburg / Transvaal’. The letter was unclaimed and subsequently advertised in the official ‘Staats Courant’ and received a GEPUBLICEERD (published) handstamp struck in blue on the front and an ONAFGEHAALD BRIEVENKANTOOR / PRETORIA 9 JUN 9(1) / PRETORIA Z.A.R. boxed cachet lightly struck (as usual) in blue on the reverse. Backstamped with a Durban (2 Dec) double circle transit and a Johannesburg (5 Dec) single circle arrival datestamp. There is also a RETURNED LETTER OFFICE NATAL (? 6 91) datestamp struck in violet on the front. A scarce early cover into Johannesburg with an intriguing array of instructional markings.
Note: it appears that following publication of the letter at the Johannesburg post office, it was then sent to the unclaimed letter office in Pretoria. It is unclear when or why the RLO Natal marking was applied but presumably the ZAR authorities returned it via the same route it travelled from England.
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| £325 |
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