Seaweed
Transkei, Coffee Bay · 1982-02-18
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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info card 2
This cover is postmarked on 18 February 1988 at Coffee Bay. It forms part of a Transkei series on seaweed, featuring four species found along the region's coastline. The 16c stamp shows Plocamium corallorhiza, a seaweed whose name comes from the Greek word for a curl of hair, known for showing iridescent blues and purples underwater that fade to plain maroon once removed. The 30c stamp shows Gelidium amanzii, recognisable by its finely branched fronds and named after the Latin word for jelly. The 40c stamp features Ecklonia biruncinata, a smaller relative of the large kelps found off the Cape Peninsula. The 50c stamp shows Halimeda cuneata, named after a mythical daughter of the Greek sea king, with lime encrusted wedge shaped segments joined by flexible hinges. One detail worth noting comes from the issue's technical record. Just 225 000 of each stamp value were printed, alongside only 45 000 commemorative envelopes and 17 000 sets of maximum cards, figures that place this seaweed series among the more limited Transkei issues of the period.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet shows a single frond of seaweed rendered in warm brown and gold tones, its edges lined with fine spiky projections along the full length of the stem. The illustration curls gently at the tip, giving the plant a natural, slightly windswept feel despite sitting still on the page. The style stays botanical and precise rather than decorative. Every serration along the frond edge is drawn with care, which suits a series built entirely around identifying different seaweed species by their exact shape and texture. Below the illustration the single word Seaweed sits in plain black type, letting the artwork carry the visual weight of the cover. The four stamps above show a striking range of colour and form across the same coastline. A deep maroon frond. A branching dark red algae. A spiky golden brown kelp. A pale green string of wedge shaped segments. Together they capture just how varied seaweed along the Transkei coast can look.
Information Card
SEAWEED 16c stamp Plocamium corallorhiza The generic name Plocamium is derived from the Greek word plokamos, meaning a curl or tuft of hair. The specific name corallorhiza stems from the Latin corallum [coral] and the Greek rhiza, a root. This beautiful seaweed is unmistakable. It shows streaks of iridescent blues and purples when seen in pools in full sunlight. When taken out of the water, however, it becomes a dull maroon, quite unlike its true appearance. 30c stamp Gelidium amanzii Gelidium amanzii grows with various other red algae low down in the tidal range, where it is subjected to heavy wave-wash. It is easily recognized by its very finely branched fronds and maroon colour. The generic name Gelidium stems from the Latin gelatus, meaning congealed or jelly. The specific name amanzii refers to the botanist Manza. 40c stamp Ecklonia biruncinata Ecklonia biruncinata is much smaller than the huge kelps found in the cold waters off the Cape Peninsula. It is commonly known as Ecklon's kelp and is often dominant in the lowest part of the tidal range. The degree of spikiness of the fronds varies. At some places only a smooth-fronded type is found, elsewhere the spiky form is more common. At the mouth of the Kei both smooth and spiky forms occur. 50c stamp Halimeda cuneata The generic name Halimeda refers to the Greek mythical princess of the same name, a daughter of Halimedon, king of the sea. The specific name cuneata is derived from the Latin cuneus, meaning wedge. The lime-encrusted segments of this alga are wedge-shaped, white to dark green, and joined to each other by flexible hinges. Halimeda cuneata grows in shallow sandy bays. Technical and Other Particulars Stamps Values: 16c, 30c, 40c and 50c Designer: David C. Thorpe Stamp format: 28,7 x 38,07 mm Sheet division: 2 x 5 stamps (6 unidentified panes per plate) Perforation gauge: 14 x 14¼ mm Paper: Coated Papers Ltd Gum: PVA Printing process: Lithography Printer: Government Printer, Pretoria Quantity printed: 16c, 30c, 40c and 50c — 225 000 of each value Last date of sale: 17 May 1988 Date-stamp: No. 50 Designer: Departmental Art Studio Cancellation: Coffee Bay Commemorative envelope: No. 2.15 Designer: David C. Thorpe Size: 102 x 190 mm Quantity printed: 45 000 Maximum cards: Nos. 62–65 Designer: Departmental Art Studio Size: 95 x 142 mm Quantity printed: 17 000 sets Last date of sale: 17 May 1988 Cancellation: Coffee Bay
Theme: Flora
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Stamp denomination: R1.36 (ZAR)
Estimated value: ~US$0.13
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 177 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.
