Paarl 75
South Africa · 1975-09-11
Unofficial first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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This cover was postmarked on 11 September 1975 in Paarl during the "Paarl 75" stamp exhibition, held to mark 100 years since the founding of the Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners, a society formed in Paarl on 14 August 1875 to promote Afrikaans as a written language. Its 1c stamp depicted the historic Gideon Malherbe house, the very building in which the society was founded, illustrated by Pierre de Wet. That same centenary year also saw the opening of both the Afrikaans Language Museum, housed in that original building, and the Afrikaans Language Monument nearby in Paarl.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet showed the Gideon Malherbe house nestled among trees at the foot of Paarl Rock, rendered in a hand drawn style with a pale blue sky and rocky outcrop above. Beside it sat a blue stamp shaped logo bearing grape clusters and the words "Paarl 75", along with the name of the local Paarlse Filateliste society and the exhibition dates.
Information Card
No info card.
Theme: Heritage
Condition: AverageNoticeable wear or light damage, such as creases, minor soiling, small tears, or light discolouration, but still collectable.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Estimated value: ~US$0.1
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 211 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.
