SPCA-DBV Centenary First Day Cover
South Africa, Pretoria · 1972-09-19
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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front
info card 2
This cover is postmarked on 19-09-1972 in Pretoria. It marks the centenary of the SPCA movement in Southern Africa, dating back to the founding of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA in 1872, which still served the Cape Peninsula a century later. By 1972 the number of affiliated societies across the RSA and South West Africa had grown to 65, all connected through the SA Federation of SPCA headquartered in Pretoria, itself affiliated with international bodies including the RSPCA, the world's oldest animal protection society.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet shows a colour photograph of a memorial wall bearing a bronze statue of a dog, with two uniformed officers standing at attention before it, each accompanied by a dog of their own on lead. "S P C A - D B V" is spelled out in widely spaced capital letters above the photograph. A "PER LUGPOS BY AIR MAIL PAR AVION" airmail label with a leaping springbok logo sits in the top left corner. The single stamp shows two cats, a cream point Siamese and a solid black cat, curled together against a teal background, illustrated by Gordon Cunningham. The Pretoria postmark carries a small red cross symbol above an illustration of two resting animals, framed by the centenary dates 1872 to 1972. A separate photographic insert accompanies this cover, showing a veterinary staff member holding a small dog beside an SPCA mobile clinic van, with the words "S.P.C.A. Mobile Clinic, donated by S.P.C.A. Women's Auxiliary" printed on the vehicle itself, illustrating the practical, on the ground work the accompanying text describes. This cover pairs a formal memorial photograph with candid documentary imagery of the societies' everyday work, giving a fuller picture of the organisation than the stamp alone could carry.
Information Card
SPCA: THE SOCIETIES FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS IN THE RSA AND IN SWA The oldest SPCA in Southern Africa, known as the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, was founded in 1872 and still serves the Cape Peninsula. Other SPCA's followed in the RSA and in SWA and by 1972 these had increased to 65, all affiliated to the SA Federation of SPCA with its headquarters in Pretoria. The Federation is affiliated to the two international animal protection organizations - the World Federation for the Protection of Animals (WFPA) and the International Society for the Protection of Animals (ISPA). Besides its association with the RSPCA - the oldest animal protection society in the world - the Federation corresponds with numerous organizations of a similar nature in different countries. The objects of the societies are the prevention of cruelty and the care and protection of all animals by means of education, animal clinics, the establishment of animal rescue homes, the investigation of cases of neglect and cruelty, and visits to all places where animals are kept. The SPCA Federation also strives for better animal legislation, disseminates information about improved treatment methods for animals and advises member societies. All aspects of animal life in Southern Africa, including conservation, are therefore included in the activities of the SPCA. Funds for their activities are obtained through bequests, street collections and sales, subscriptions, donations and grants from municipalities. An Animal Protection Trust has been established to make funds available for increased humane education and aid to new societies until they are independent. **Afrikaans:** DBV: DIE DIEREBESKERMINGSVERENIGINGS DIE RSA EN IN SWA Die oudste DBV in Suidelike Afrika, bekend as die Kaap die Goeie Hoop-DBV, is in 1872 gestig en bedien nog steeds die Kaapse Skiereiland. Ander DBV's het in die RSA en in SWA gevolg en het teen 1972 vermeerder tot 65, wat almal met die SA Federasie van DBV, met sy hoofkwartier in Pretoria, geaffilieer is. Die Federasie is met die twee internasionale dierebeskermingsorganisasies - die Wêreldfederasie vir die Beskerming van Diere (WFPA) en die Internasionale Vereniging vir die Beskerming van Diere (ISPA) geaffilieer. Benewens sy assosiasie met die RSPCA - die oudste dierebeskermingsvereniging in die wêreld - korrespondeer die Federasie met talle organisasies van 'n soortgelyke aard in verskillende lande. Die oogmerke van die verenigings is die voorkoming van wreedheid en die versorging en beskerming van alle diere deur middel van opvoeding, dierekliniekе, die vestiging van dierereddingshuise, die ondersoek van gevalle van verwaarlosing en wreedheid en besoeke aan alle plekke waar diere aangehou word. Die DBV-federasie beywer hom ook vir beter dierewetgewing, versprei inligting oor verbeterde behandelingsmetodes vir diere en gee raad aan lidverenigings. Alle aspekte van die dierelewe in Suidelike Afrika, met inbegrip van bewaring, word dus in die aktiwiteite van die DBV betrek. Hulle verkry fondse vir hul aktiwiteite deur bemakings, straatkollektes en -verkope, ledegeld, skenkings en toekennings deur munisipaliteite. 'n Dierebeskermingstrust is gestig om fondse vir toenemende humane opvoeding en hulp aan nuwe verenigings beskikbaar te stel totdat hul onafhanklik is.
Theme: Other
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Stamp denomination: R0.05 (ZAR)
SAPO serial number: 23
Estimated value: ~US$0.43
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.
