Postzegel Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek

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Cachet: The cachet is a formal recreation of the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek's original six pence stamp, printed large in deep navy blue at the top left of the cover. It displays the coat of arms of the old Republic at its centre, framed by flags and a wagon wheel, with the denomination "6 Postzegel" and "Zes Pence" repeated around the border and "Z. Afr. Republiek" printed beneath the crest. Below this reproduction the dates "1869-1969" appear in bold black type, marking the century since the Republic's first postage stamps were introduced.

Info card

As early as 1861 the use of postage stamps by the "Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek" was considered by Postmaster General H. Jeppe, and the matter was also suggested to the Government at that time. In 1866, after Postmaster General Lennox experienced practical problems because the Orange Free State refused to accept Transvaal notes in payment of postage, the use of postage stamps was again recommended to the Government. A year later — in 1867 — Postmaster General Fred Jeppe took the matter further by strongly recommending the use of postage stamps to the President. He also obtained quotations for their production and according to one of these quotations, six million stamps could be printed in England at a cost of R800, but the amount had to be paid in mintage. However, equipment for the printing of postage stamps could be purchased for approximately R100 in Germany, where payment in notes was acceptable. Without obtaining prior authority, he placed an order for the required R100 in Transvaal notes with his brother Julius Jeppe in that country. The "Volksraad" later approved his action and made available the required R100 in Transvaal notes. It was expected that stamps would be put into use on the 1st January, 1869, but despatch of the printing press and accessories from Germany was delayed. Consequently, arrangements were made for the first stamps to be printed in Germany during the second half of 1869. The first stamps, as well as a second consignment received in February, 1870, were all sold to stamp collectors and dealers in Europe. The stamp printing machine arrived early in 1870 and enabled the "Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek" to commence using postage stamps on the 1st May of that year. Die ingebruikneming van posseëls deur die "Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek" is reeds in 1861 deur Posmeester-generaal H. Jeppe oorweeg en indertyd ook by die Regering aan die hand gedoen. In 1866, nadat Posmeester-generaal Lennox praktiese probleme ondervind het omdat die Oranje-Vrystaat nie Transvaalse note ter betaling van posgeld wou aanvaar nie, is die gebruik van posseëls andermal by die Regering aanbeveel. 'n Jaar later — in 1867 — is die saak deur Posmeester-generaal Fred Jeppe verder gevoer toe hy die gebruik van posseëls sterk by die President aanbeveel het, en ook prysopgawes vir die vervaardiging daarvan verkry het. Volgens een van hierdie prysopgawes kon ses miljoen posseëls teen R800 laat druk word, maar die bedrag moes in muntgeld betaal word. Toerusting vir die druk van posseëls kon egter teen sowat R100 in Duitsland gekoop word waar betaling in note aanvaarbaar was. Sonder om vooraf magtiging te verkry, het hy 'n bestelling daarvoor by sy broer, Julius Jeppe, in Duitsland geplaas. Die Volksraad het later dié optrede goedgekeur en die nodige R100 in Transvaalse note beskikbaar gestel. Daar is verwag dat posseëls op 1 Januarie 1869 in gebruik geneem sou word, maar die versending van die drukpers en toebehore uit Duitsland is vertraag. Gevolglik is reëlings getref dat die eerste seëls gedruk word in die "Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek" in die tweede helfte van 1869 bereik. Hierdie seëls en ook die tweede besending wat in Februarie 1870 ontvang is, is almal aan seëlversamelaars en -handelaars in Europa verkoop. Die seëldrukpers is aan die begin van 1870 ontvang en het die "Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek" in staat gestel om op 1 Mei van daardie jaar met die gebruik van posseëls te begin

Additional information

This cover is postmarked on 6 October 1969 in Johannesburg. The two stamps mark the centenary of postage stamps in the old Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek, one recreating the original stamp design and the other depicting the Poekiets ZAR mail coach that once carried the post. The first stamps were printed in Germany rather than South Africa itself, after Postmaster General Fred Jeppe arranged for printing equipment to be shipped over in 1869. Stamps only came into actual postal use on 1 May 1870, as delays in shipping the press meant the first two print runs were sold instead to stamp collectors and dealers in Europe.

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