Fishing Flies from Transkei 1983
Transkei, Butterworth · 1983-03-02
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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This cover is postmarked on 02-03-1983 in Butterworth. It carries the fourth issue in Transkei's Fishing-Fly Stamp Series, running annually since 1980, and features five flies illustrated by A H Barrett: the Alexandria, Kent's Marbled Sedge, the Mayfly Nymph, the White Marabou and the Silver Wilkinson. The original Silver Wilkinson dressing shown on one of the stamps required eleven different feather sections to tie by hand, according to the accompanying text.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet shows a beaming angler holding up a freshly caught rainbow trout by the gills, his fishing rod slung over his shoulder, rendered in a naturalistic illustrated style. The five stamps, illustrated by A H Barrett, sit in a strip above him, each depicting a different fishing fly in fine detail against a plain white background. Three Butterworth postmarks, each featuring a leaping trout and a dragonfly, are cancelled across the strip. This is a purely thematic angling release, the fourth in an annual series, favouring precise entomological and tackle illustration over any historical or commemorative content.
Information Card
FISHING FLIES FROM TRANSKEI This set of five 20c stamps, printed se-tenant in one sheet, is the fourth issue in the Transkei Fishing-Fly Stamp Series issued annually since 1980. Alexandria (Wet fly) Originally named "The lady of the lake", this well-known pattern was renamed in honour of H.R.H. Princess Alexandra of Kent, but most certainly was the original creator, but is thought to be around 1860. This attractor pattern does not represent any specific insect and is mainly used for lake fly-fishing. Kent's Marbled Sedge (Dry fly) This dry fly has the unique feature of always floating horizontally on the water surface, like the real insect. The roof-shaped floating wing is a special feature of this fly. The Marbled Sedge hatches during evening, sometimes in great numbers. This attractor properties. The actual Marbled Sedge is a very exact imitation designed to catch cunning trout that are hard to fool with normal dry fly imitations. Mayfly Nymph This dressing is a free imitation of the nymphal or day-fly stage of the order Ephemeroptera, also known as mayflies or day-flies, in their nymphal insect life. Day-flies underdoing a soft, fluffy pre-occupied under the water with a great enticement of a trout that is not underdoing pre-occupied and feeding on a specific insect form. Trout feed predominantly on the nymphal stage of this insect. White Marabou (Streamer) The wing of the White Marabou is made of the soft, fluffy feathers of a white turkey. These feathers' beautiful undulating action under the water is a great enticement to trout. Silver Wilkinson (Salmon fly) The Silver Wilkinson is one of the most beautiful fully dressed salmon flies of today. The pattern depicted on the stamp is a simplified commercial dressing of this classic fishing fly. The original Silver Wilkinson dressing had eleven different feather sections used in the construction of this design. It requires great skill to attach the various materials to the hook in such a way that the final product is an object of beauty.
Theme: Wildlife
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Stamp denomination: R1 (ZAR)
SAPO serial number: 1.29
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 220 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.
