Transvaal Supreme Court
South Africa, Pretoria · 1977-05-18
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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This cover is postmarked on 18 May 1977 in Pretoria, SAPO reference PT 2.23. It marks the centenary of the Transvaal Supreme Court, first established by proclamation on 18 May 1877 under Sir Theophilus Shepstone, with John Kotzé sitting as its sole judge when the court first convened on 23 May that year. The stamp depicts the Palace of Justice in Pretoria, a building with a mixed history of its own, since it briefly served as a hospital for British soldiers during the Anglo-Boer War before its construction as a courthouse was even complete.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet shows a bronze toned circular medallion illustration of Lady Justice, blindfolded and standing in flowing robes, holding her scales in one hand and a sword resting at her side in the other. The words "Hooggeregshof · Transvaal · Supreme Court" curve around the medallion's edge in gold foil lettering, and beneath it a matching gold and maroon banner reads "1877-1977", marking the centenary being commemorated.
Information Card
THE TRANSVAAL PROVINCIAL DIVISION OF THE SUPREME COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA The motif of this stamp, namely the Palace of Justice, was chosen to commemorate the centenary of a Supreme Court in the Transvaal. The Palace of Justice was designed under the leadership of Sytze Wierda and was built by John Munro. The building was completed only after the Anglo-Boer War. During the war it served as a hospital for British soldiers. The building stands on two erven, namely the parsonage erf on which M. W. Pretorius had an official residence built for him in 1856 that was used for other purposes, and the school erf on which the first Government School was erected in 1859. The administration of justice in the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek was in the hands of landdrosts (magistrates), members of the heemraad (a kind of local authority) and jurymen. The Supreme Court established by the Constitution of 1858 consisted of three landdrosts and twelve jurymen. On 7 March 1877, in view of the imminent annexation by Britain, the Constitution was radically changed, especially as regards the administration of justice. The amendment provided, among other things, for the establishment of a Supreme Court consisting of three judges. However, this act never came into force as the annexation took place on 12 April 1877. On 18 May 1877 Sir Theophilus Shepstone, British Special Commissioner, issued a proclamation that provided for the establishment of a Supreme Court of the Transvaal. The first session of this court took place on 23 May 1877 with John Kotzé (later Sir John Kotzé) as sole judge. At the end of British rule the first legislative act by the triumvirate was to put the Volksraad decision of 7 March 1877 into operation. Consequently the Supreme Court continued to exist. Since then the Supreme Court has fearlessly exercised its function as independent justiciary body under various regimes. DIE TRANSVAALSE PROVINSIALE AFDELING VAN DIE HOOGGEREGSHOF VAN SUID-AFRIKA Die motief van hierdie seël, naamlik die Paleis van Justisie, is gekies om die honderdjarige bestaan van 'n Hooggeregshof in Transvaal te gedenk. Die Paleis van Justisie is ontwerp onder leiding van Sytze Wierda en is gebou deur John Munro. Die gebou is eers na die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog voltooi. Tydens die oorlog het dit as hospitaal vir Britse soldate gedien. Die gebou staan op twee erwe, naamlik die pastorie-erf waar M. W. Pretorius in 1856 vir hom 'n amptswoning laat bou het wat vir ander doeleindes gebruik is, en die skoolerf waarop die eerste Regeringskool in 1859 opgerig is. Die regspleging in die Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek is uitgeoefen deur landdroste, heemrade en gewoornes ofte wel jurielede. Die Hooggeregshof wat deur die Grondwet van 1858 ingestel is, het uit drie landdroste en twaalf gesworenes bestaan. Op 7 Maart 1877 is die Grondwet met die oog op die dreigende Britse anneksasie ingrypend verander, veral met betrekking tot die regspleging. Die wysiging het onder andere voorsiening gemaak vir die instelling van 'n Hooggeregshof wat uit drie regters sou bestaan. Hierdie wet het nooit in werking getree nie aangesien die anneksasie op 12 April 1877 plaasgevind het. Op 18 Mei 1877 het Sir Theophilus Shepstone, Britse Spesiale Kommissaris, 'n proklamasie uitgevaardig waarin voorsiening vir die instelling van die Hooggeregshof van Transvaal gemaak word. Die eerste sitting van dié hof het op 23 Mei 1877 met John Kotzé (later Sir John Kotzé) as enigste regter plaasgevind. By die beëindiging van die Britse bewind was die eerste wetgewende handeling deur die triumverskap om die Volksraadsbesluit van 7 Maart 1877 in werking te stel. Gevolglik het die instelling van die Hooggeregshof voortbestaan. Sedertdien het die Hooggeregshof onder verskeie bewinde sy funksie as onafhanklike regsprekende orgaan vreesloos uitgeoefen. P.T.
Theme: Heritage
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Stamp denomination: R0.04 (ZAR)
SG reference: 413
SAPO serial number: 2.23
Estimated value: ~US$0.06
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 248 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.
