Migratory Birds
Ciskei, St Matthews · 1984-08-17
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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This cover is postmarked on 17 August 1984 at St Matthews. It carries a set of four Ciskei stamps illustrated by Sheila Nowers, each showing a different swallow or martin species alongside a map tracing its migratory route across Africa. The greater striped swallow featured in the cachet builds its nest from mud pellets bound with plant fibres, often choosing the same nest site and returning to repair it year after year rather than building afresh.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet on this cover shows a greater striped swallow perched at its nest, feeding two chicks that reach up from a woven mud nest built against a wooden beam. The bird's long forked tail and blue black wings are rendered in fine detail, with its pale underside and streaked breast catching the light. The bilingual heading "Migratory Birds" sits beneath the illustration in bold black type, with the scientific name Hirundo albigularis printed underneath. A small bird silhouette marks the series alongside the number "1.11" in the lower corner. Four stamps fill the top right corner in a block, each illustrated by Sheila Nowers and showing a different swallow or martin species against a map of Africa tracing its migratory range, from the banded sand martin through to the European swallow. Two St Matthews postmarks, each carrying a small swallow motif, cancel the stamps.
Information Card
Info card inaccessible - gummed shut
Theme: Wildlife
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
SAPO serial number: 1.11
Estimated value: ~US$0.12
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.
