Bophuthatswana "Conserve Our Trees"
Bophuthatswana, Taung · 1985-07-04
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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A 1985 Bophuthatswana first day cover built entirely around a tree's growth timeline, from sapling to century old giant. This cover is postmarked on 04-07-1985 in Taung. It carries the four-value Bophuthatswana "Conserve Our Trees" series by artist Barry Jackson, running from 12c to 50c. Each stamp pairs a tree illustration with a smaller circular vignette, moving from a pair of planting hands on the lowest value through to a bee on the highest.
Description of the Cachet
A single tree stands at the centre of the cover with a timeline running up its trunk, marking growth at 50 years, 25 years, 12 years and 6 years. To the right a small felled log lies beside a figure with an axe, labelled "about 10 minutes", a stark contrast against the decades of growth shown on the tree. "Conserve Our Trees" runs along the bottom in bold capitals, next to a small leopard emblem marking the design as Bophuthatswana issue 1.34. Four stamps by Barry Jackson run across the top, each pairing a tree species with a small vignette of hands, an antelope, a bird and a bee.
Information Card
An info card is present, but the envelope is gummed shut.
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 256 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.
