Bophuthatswana Lizards FDC
Bophuthatswana, Mmabatho · 1984-09-25
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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This cover is postmarked on 25-09-1984 in Mmabatho. It carries the four value Lizards series issued by the Bophuthatswana Post Office, illustrated by S. Nowers and printed with catalogue codes D1.4 through D4.4. The set features the Yellow-throated Plated Lizard, Transvaal Girdled Lizard, Ocellated Sand Lizard and Bibron's Thick-toed Gecko, each shown with full scientific nomenclature beneath the common name. Mmabatho served as the capital of Bophuthatswana and was a common cancellation point for the homeland's stamp releases through the 1980s.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet shows a large chameleon in muted green tones, its tail curled beneath it and one clawed foot gripping a bare branch. The illustration runs the full height of the envelope on the left side and anchors the design without competing with the stamps. "LIZARDS" appears in bold serif type beneath the chameleon, alongside the small leopard logo used across Bophuthatswana first day covers of this era. The four stamps sit in a plain oval frame format typical of this reptile series. Each stamp pairs a lizard illustration with its Latin binomial and common name printed below. The Mmabatho circular date stamp overlaps the 25c and 30c values, its own tiny lizard motif echoing the cachet art. This is a clean, nature themed release from Bophuthatswana's philatelic programme. It fits well alongside other Southern African wildlife issues and homeland definitive sets.
Information Card
No info card was uploaded for this cover. Only the cover itself is available.
Theme: Wildlife
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
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.
