Help!!!
Number.
Can anyone throw a light on to the number on this cover? Especially the 1 or is it a 7 used to change the number. I don't think it is a census number, it is probably a number of FDC created but so many?
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Can anyone post a list of South African postage rate please. I am particuarly interested in 1940 - 1960's.
You can find South African Postal Rates on the PFSA website: https://stampssa.africa/resources/#SA
Lourence, I had checked there and have just re-checked but I need the external rates for 1950's and they don't appear to be there - or is it just me not looking properly?
Try this link http://www.philatelysa.co.za › resources › downloads › POSTAL RATES EXTERNAL_29 APRIL 2014_PW.xls
Curious! My first thought was that the long number was the the Registration Number. However, that number appears written in the Registration label. It appears the last digit in this mysterious number, a '6', has been changed but as it was not crossed out this is far from certain. You are correct that the number is way too high for a run of FDCs. Could it have been applied on receipt in Bulawayo?
Regarding the the black overstamped number itself, it could be either a '1' or a '7' but straighten it up and it looks more like a '1' with a suitably downcast angled top line. If it was a '7' the trunk would be angled, as it is, when the top line is horizontal. '1' is my best guess based on a little jiggery-pokery with PhotoShop in which I straightened the trunk out vertically (see left below) and then the top line horizontally (right below). IMO, a '1' looks the more likely candidate than a '7' whose trunk is probably angled a tad too much. Hope this helps.
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