Postage stamps and postal history of Transvaal in detail

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Close-Up Shot of a Transvaal Daisy
Credit: pexels.com, Close-Up Shot of a Transvaal Daisy

The postage stamps of Transvaal are a fascinating topic. The first postage stamp of Transvaal, the 1d orange, was introduced in 1875.

The Transvaal Republic issued its own stamps from 1875 to 1899. The stamps featured various designs, including the Transvaal coat of arms and the image of a lion.

One of the most notable features of Transvaal stamps is their use of the Orange Free State's postal system until 1887. This led to the use of Orange Free State stamps in Transvaal until the Transvaal Republic began issuing its own stamps.

The Transvaal Republic's postal system was known for its efficient delivery of mail, with many post offices and postal routes established throughout the region.

History of Postage Stamps

In the late 19th century, Transvaal postal services used postage stamps overprinted with "Transvaal Telegraphs".

The 5 Pounds fiscal stamp was overprinted with this phrase, as were the 5 Shillings, 2 Pounds (VRI), 10 Shillings, and 1 Pound stamps.

Some of these overprinted stamps are suspected to be forgeries, specifically attributed to Fournier's forgery.

Fournier's forgeries included overprints of Transvaal and Orange Free State stamps, as depicted in the Fournier Album of Philatelic forgeries.

Kruger Label and Other Special Stamps

Photo of a Transvaal Lion
Credit: pexels.com, Photo of a Transvaal Lion

The Kruger label is a notable feature in the postage stamps of Transvaal. It's a label that reads "A.KRUGER EL TRANSWAAL GLORIA PARA LOS BOERS", which has been suggested to possibly have Spanish origins.

This label has been spotted in various colors, including violet on lilac.

Postal History of Transvaal

The postal history of Transvaal is a fascinating topic. It all began in 1845 when the British government established a postal system in the region.

The first stamps used in Transvaal were British stamps, which were introduced in 1853. These stamps were used until 1874.

In 1874, the first Transvaal stamp was issued, featuring a portrait of President Thomas François Burgers. This stamp was a significant milestone in the postal history of Transvaal.

The Transvaal stamp issue in 1874 was a response to the growing need for a local postal system. The stamps were printed by Perkins, Bacon & Petch in London.

The Perkins, Bacon & Petch stamps were printed in sheets of 12, with each sheet featuring six different stamps. This was a common practice at the time.

The Transvaal postal system was established to serve the growing population of the region, which was primarily made up of gold miners.

Transvaal and ZAR

Black Magnifying Glass on White Printer Paper with Stamps
Credit: pexels.com, Black Magnifying Glass on White Printer Paper with Stamps

The Transvaal and ZAR had a significant history in the postal system. The Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, or ZAR, was a republic that existed from 1852 to 1902.

The ZAR issued its first postage stamps in 1875, featuring a portrait of President Marthinus Wessel Pretorius. These early stamps were an important part of the country's postal history.

The Transvaal region was also home to the famous "Blockhouse" stamps, which were used during the Second Boer War.

Transvaal

Transvaal was a British colony in South Africa from 1877 to 1902.

The colony was established after the First Boer War, when the British government annexed the South African Republic, also known as the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek or ZAR.

Transvaal's economy was primarily based on gold mining, which made it an attractive destination for immigrants.

Gold was discovered in the Witwatersrand region in 1886, leading to a massive influx of miners and settlers.

The discovery of gold also led to the establishment of Johannesburg, which became the largest city in the Transvaal colony.

The Transvaal government was initially opposed to the influx of immigrants, fearing it would lead to land expropriation and loss of control.

Zegelregt Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek

Credit: youtube.com, National anthem of the Transvaal (1848-1902) - "Volkslied van Transvaal"

The Zegelregt Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek was a unique stamp design that originated in 1876. The first stamps issued in this design were imperforate and featured various denominations, including 6 p red on blue, 1 Sh red on green, and 1 Sh 6 p black on yellow.

One of the notable features of these early stamps is the existence of overprints, which added additional information to the design. The 1 Sh and 10 Sh stamps were overprinted in color red, and the 2 Pounds value was overprinted with 'VRI'.

In 1888, a new perforated 5 Pounds blue stamp was added to the series, marking a change from the earlier imperforate designs. This new stamp was a significant addition to the Zegelregt Zuid Afrikaanse Republiek series.

Time Periods

The Transvaal region had a complex history, with various time periods shaping its postal system.

The British annexed the Transvaal in 1877, marking the beginning of a new era for its postal service.

Close-Up of a Postage Stamp
Credit: pexels.com, Close-Up of a Postage Stamp

The Transvaal was a British colony from 1877 to 1887, during which time the postal system was closely tied to that of the United Kingdom.

The colony's postal service was initially under the control of the British, but in 1887, the Transvaal gained self-government, allowing for more local control over its postal system.

1869-1877

The South African Republic was established in 1869 and lasted until 1877. This time period was marked by the issuance of the first stamps of the South African Republic on 1 May 1870.

These early stamps featured the coat of arms of the republic. The design was a significant representation of the country's identity.

The South African Republic was a self-governing state, but its independence was short-lived. In 1877, the republic was annexed by Britain.

This annexation had a significant impact on the country's postal system. A set of definitives depicting Queen Victoria was issued in 1878, replacing the earlier stamps.

1897 Postage Stamps

Red Transvaal Daisy Flowers in Clear Glass Vase
Credit: pexels.com, Red Transvaal Daisy Flowers in Clear Glass Vase

In 1897, postage stamps were overprinted with "Transvaal Telegraphs". The 5 Pounds fiscal stamp was also overprinted with this phrase.

Some of the values that were overprinted include 5 Sh on 2 Pounds (VRI), 10 Sh, and 1 Pound.

The 5 Pounds fiscal stamp was not the only one to receive this treatment.

1900–1909

The early 1900s were a time of change for South Africa. Stamps of the South African Republic were overprinted with "V.R.I." or "E.R.I." between 1900 and 1902.

Stamps were issued for the Transvaal Colony in 1902. This marked a significant shift in the region's postal system.

In 1900, stamps of the South African Republic started to be overprinted with Latin phrases. These phrases were "V.R.I." for Victoria Regina Imperatrix and "E.R.I." for Edward Rex Imperator.

Elmer Kassulke

Lead Assigning Editor

Here is a 100-word author bio for Elmer Kassulke: Elmer Kassulke is an accomplished Assigning Editor with a keen interest in storytelling. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for research, Elmer has covered a wide range of topics, from the Port of Bristol to the works of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Their expertise spans various categories, including geography, history, culture, and transportation, making them a versatile and reliable voice in the world of journalism.

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