BECHUANALAND
Postal History, Postmarks
POSTAL HISTORY
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| AB4516 |
1892 (14th July), envelope addressed to ‘P.O. Mamoiza / Z A Republiek’ (usually spelt ‘Mamusa’). Bearing four examples in two vertical pairs of the QV ½d vermilion (SG 9), all cancelled with a ‘555’ BONC with a proving VRYBURG [dot] (14 Jul) single circle datestamp alongside. With a CHRISTIANA / Z.A.R. (18 Jul) squared octagon applied on the front in transit with a second strike dated (25 Jul) tying the adhesives. Backstamped Warrenton (15 Jul), Klerksdorp ZAR (16 Jul) and a light strike of a BLOEMHOF / Z.A.R. (18 Jul) squared octagon struck in blue. Part flap missing from opening with resultant piece missing at upper left.
Note: the envelope followed a rather tortuous route as Mamusa was then adjacent to Schweizer Reneke which was situated considerably closer than any of the towns it transited. It is unclear why the envelope was apparently redirected back to or never left Christiana a week after its first transit. A wonderful item showing the 2d per half ounce rate to ‘Other Southern African Territories’ introduced on the 1st October 1885. |
| £350 |
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