CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
Postal History, Postal Stationery
 -  POSTAL HISTORY
AB3300
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE / BECHUANALAND / Langeberg Rebellion 1897 (28th July) unstamped soldier’s concessionary rate envelope addressed to England. Endorsed at top ‘On Active Service / From Pte S.J. Solomon P.A.G.’ (Prince Alfred Guards), who was a member of the Imperial Forces engaged in the ‘Langeberg Rebellion’ (also known as the Bechuanaland, Rinderpest or Langeberg Campaign). Countersigned at lower left above ‘Officer Commanding Active Service Detachment’. Showing a fine strike of the KURUMAN BECHUANALAND (JY 28) single circle datestamp partly overstruck by an octagonal-framed ‘T/25c.’ taxe marking and also showing a handstruck ‘1D/F.B.’ The reverse with a further very fine strike of the Kuruman Bechuanaland (JY 28) despatch datestamp and with a London (AU 23) arrival datestamp struck in red. The envelope with some unobtrusive creases and peripheral faults though a rare and attractive survivor from this relatively obscure campaign. Ex Gerald Sattin (June 2008)
 
Note: The Langeberg Campaign was one of the specified campaigns where Colonial Forces (including serving officers) received the concession of free postage. However, this privilege did not extend to mail addressed outside the Cape Colony (See ‘Southern African Mails’ pages 534 and 563 by Brian Trotter).
 
A detailed account of this campaign appeared in Runner Post issue 44, p1052 (September 1996) and articles concerning the philatelic aspects, including a census of the postal history, were published in The Runner Post: issue 40, p894 (September 1995) and 45, p1086 (December 1996).
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