THE POSTAL HISTORY OF BASUTOLAND
David MacDonald is a Scot with an affinity for collecting the colonial stamps of Basutoland, a mountainous kingdom surrounded by South Africa and known today as Lesotho. This is an enjoyable display covering a fascinating and difficult period in the development of the heartland of SA in the years following the Zulu Mfecane (“the crushing” of their enemies) and the Boers trek into the interior to find farmland and a secure homeland of their own. Land and security were things the Basutos wanted equally for themselves. The ensuing conflict with the OFS and Basutoland’s long association with the Cape colonial postal system is well-covered.
Any idea what the above were used for?
We think we might know. These particular examples were used to pay a ZAR transport tax on goods that were exempt from customs duties. Read how we came by this in the FORUM DISCUSSION
NOW SHOWING ON A SCREEN NEAR YOU
17th July 2021
THE POSTAL HISTORY OF NAMIBIA: Part 1
German South West Africa
As the German government has now recognised that the Kaiser’s military was responsible for genocide in SWA, I thought it appropriate to put a display together that shows how and why this crime against humanity happened. There will be many, especially in Germany and southern Africa, who will strongly disagree with my comments and conclusions. Signed-in members can have their say in the FORUM.
The rather dull postcard above shows Germany’s misplaced enthusiasm for the new century, one that would see it brutally exterminate African people in order to acquire their land and make serfs of the survivors. Despite suffering defeat in two world wars, Germany has still not made amends for its actions in GSWA. The people whose land the German colonial authorities stole through murder have had no justice.
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
REVENUE STAMPS.
Part 1: VOC 1711 – 1791, Britain to 1825
John Fletcher has written three books on Cape of Good Hope Revenue stamps. He now feels that “it is appropriate to allow access on-line to interested collectors and researchers”. We greatly appreciate his generous gesture which helps the South African Philately Club grow as free and unrestricted on-line resource open to all. John’s display is entertaining and educating. I was soon absorbed in it! I recommend his work to all who have an interest in the history of the Cape.
THE DARMSTADT TRIALS
This display is for the philatelic purist passionate about paper, inks and printing processes. The ‘Darmstadt Trials’ were made to determine the best method of printing new Union of South Africa stamps. Supplied by Tony Howgrave-Graham, Chairman of the South African Collectors’ Society, this definitive collection is unrivalled. His coverage of the Shuck Maclean ink trials are unique. Our thanks to him for adding yet another Top Class display to the SAPC’s growing on-line archive!.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
If you want to comment on this website, or have some suggestions for its improvement, please do so via Letters to the Editor.
CONCENTRATION CAMP MAIL OF THE ANGLO-BOER WAR: 1899 – 1902
The arguably well-intended British ‘Refugee Camps’ of the South African War ultimately had a devastating effect on the Boers and the Black people unfortunate enough to find themselves trapped in these deadly ‘Concentration Camps’ for displaced people. This excellent display does not make easy reading. British indifference saw the Children’s Death Rate in the Camps reach a staggering 433 per 1000! I had to stop reading this the first time I tried. My thanks to David Mordant who has again generously made a previously paid-for article free to view here.
Sadly, I missed the Pretoria Philatelic Society (PPS) Zoom Meeting which was at 8.30 am. It is with early-bird enthusiasm like that that the PPS is re-inventing itself. Like most societies the PPS is using Zoom to spread its wings and attract international visitors.
I had prepared a ‘K is for….’ display which was that meeting’s theme. If you wish to see it as a PDF file, CLICK HERE.
ZOOM MEETINGS
Zoom meetings have really taken off. A lot of wonderful philatelic material has been displayed in this format. All of it is ready to be shown again. Here’s how to see it!
The South African Philately Club’s co-founder, Jamie Smith, is eager to show his prepared Zoom display material to your society or club. As a result, we have opened a new forum topic that allows you to see the Zoom displays that Jamie can show to your club or society. We hope that others will also use this facility to list their Zoom displays here in order that they can be contacted to show their material again… and again.
CLICK HERE