Succulent Addition 18c
South Africa, Grahamstown · 1994-04-10
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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This cover was postmarked on 1 April 1989 in Grahamstown and marked another additional stamp value added to South Africa's fifth definitive series, illustrated by Hein Botha. Its 18c stamp featured Faucaria tigrina, aptly nicknamed tiger jaws for its spiky, tooth-lined leaves, a succulent native to the Grahamstown area. Its genus counted 33 known species found mainly in the Eastern Cape, and the plant's bright yellow flowers appeared each late summer and autumn, gradually darkening in colour as they aged.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet features a close up photograph of the Faucaria tigrina succulent itself, its jagged, tooth like leaves spread low against a bed of sandy soil and small stones. Under the photograph, the bilingual text "Additional stamp value to the fifth definitive series / Bykomende seëlwaarde tot die vyfde vaste reeks" appears in bold black lettering, underlined above and below.
Information Card
ADDITIONAL STAMP VALUE, FIFTH DEFINITIVE SERIES 18c Faucaria tigrina This member of the mesem family grows in the vicinity of Grahamstown and is aptly referred to as tiger jaws. The thirty-three known species of this genus occur mainly in the Eastern Cape. The bright yellow flowers, which darken as they grow older, appear in late summer and autumn. The plant can easily be grown from seed or cuttings. BYKOMENDE SEËLWAARDE, VYFDE VASTE REEKS 18c Faucaria tigrina Dié lid van die vygiefamilie kom voor in die omgewing van Grahamstad en word in die volksmond heel gepas tierbekvygie genoem. Die drie en dertig bekende spesies van hierdie genus kom hoofsaaklik in die Oos-Kaap voor. Die heldergeel blomme, wat donkerder verkleur namate hulle ouer word, verskyn in die nasomer en die herfs. Die plant kan maklik van saad en steggies gekweek word.
Theme: Flora
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Stamp denomination: R0.18 (ZAR)
SG reference: 659a
SAPO serial number: 5.3.1
Estimated value: ~US$0.06
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.
