SA Merchant Marine 50 Years Anniversary 2
South Africa, Cape Town · 1996-08-05
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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This cover is postmarked on 5 August 1996 in Cape Town, SAPO reference PT 6.41. It marks fifty years of the South African Merchant Marine, spanning 1946 to 1996, with the miniature sheet showing a cargo vessel being guided into harbour by a tug against the backdrop of Table Mountain. The stamp artwork is credited to Peter Bilas and carries a face value of R2.00. Cape Town's own harbour makes an especially fitting postmark location, since Table Mountain itself appears in the stamp's background.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet shows a stylised illustration of a merchant ship's bow head on, its hull rendered in soft grey and white with a striped funnel in navy, orange and white puffing pale smoke against a muted blue background. Below the ship a dark green band carries the words "SA Merchant Marine 1946-1996" in white lettering. The simplified, almost graphic design contrasts with the detailed photographic miniature sheet on the right side of the cover, giving the piece a nice balance between illustration and documentary photography.
Information Card
No info card supplied for this cover.
Theme: Transport
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Stamp denomination: R2 (ZAR)
SAPO serial number: 6.41
Estimated value: ~US$0.93
This is a high-level, subjective estimate only, not a professional appraisal.
This first day cover (FDC) is part of Southern Covers, a private collection of 209 first day covers documenting the postal history and philately of South Africa and the homeland states. New to first day cover collecting? Read the guide to learn about cachets, postmarks, and stamp collecting terms, or browse the whole collection of Southern African FDCs.
