BECHUANALAND
Postal History, Postmarks
POSTAL HISTORY
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| AB4523 |
1894 (18th November), British Bechuanaland used in the Protectorate. Cape of Good Hope 1½d pale dull grey-green postal stationery card overprinted for British Bechuanaland (BBS PC7b / H&G 6). Addressed to Guernsey, Channel Islands and uprated with the addition of a QV ½d vermilion (SG 9) tied by two strikes of the MACLOUTSIE (18 Nov) single circle datestamp. The message on the reverse is dated a week earlier and headed ‘Macloutsie Camp / Disputed Territory’.
Note: Macloutsie was established as a colonial outpost in 1890. At the time, the Motloutse River was the border of what was a disputed territory between the Bangwato and AmaNdebele states. The ruler of the Bangwato, Khama III and Lobengula of the AmaNdebele both claimed sovereignty over the area. Macloutsie became the gateway to Mashonaland for Rhodes’ Pioneer Column. The British South Africa Company Police used Macloutsie as a base camp and training area. [Acknowledgements to Geoff Quick and Rob Burrett]
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| £325 |
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