UPHOLSTERY FOR AUTOMOBILES
Bophuthatswana, Ga-Rankuwa · 1985-04-01
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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front
This cover is postmarked on 1 April 1985 in Ga-Rankuwa, with a decorative scrollwork postmark. It carries a single Bophuthatswana definitive stamp, SAPO [number to confirm], added as an extra denomination ahead of the territory's second full definitive series, depicting the interior of a factory producing upholstery for automobiles. The cover's cachet, a spool of thread and needle, ties directly into the stamp's subject rather than being purely decorative, both point to the hand-crafted textile and leather work behind the Ga-Rankuwa upholstery industry described on the info card. At the time this stamp was issued, the factory's leather upholstery had reportedly become successful enough that plans were already underway to explore exporting it.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet is a still life illustration of a large wooden spool wound with thread, standing upright on a curved metal base with a threaded needle tucked into the top and a length of loose thread trailing off to the side. The rendering is simple and realistic, using soft shading to give the spool and thread a tactile, three-dimensional quality against the plain cream background. Below, the cover reads "Additional stamp value to the definitive series" in plain black capitals.
Information Card
FORERUNNER TO THE SECOND DEFINITIVE SERIES 12c STAMP: UPHOLSTERY FOR AUTOMOBILES The natural dexterity of the Tswana people lends itself remarkably well to the manufacture of upholstery and similar interior fittings for top quality automobiles in a modern factory at Ga-Rankuwa. This enterprise has become so successful that plans are currently being formulated for the exportation of exclusive hand-crafted leather upholstery.
Theme: Science & Technology
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Stamp denomination: R0.12 (ZAR)
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 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.
