Tourism Free State
South Africa, Ficksburg · 1995-06-30
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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This cover was postmarked on 30 June 1995 at Ficksburg and catalogued as SAPO 6.17. Its cachet featured a mountain scene reflecting the Free State's landscape along the Lesotho border. Ficksburg itself sat at the foot of the Maluti Mountains and was known for its cherry orchards, hosting an annual Cherry Festival that drew visitors from across the country.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet shows a detailed pencil drawing of a large sandstone rock formation, its jagged, weathered surface rendered in fine cross hatching, with a smoother rock face rising up beside it. The illustration sits above the bilingual title "Toerisme-Vrystaat / Tourism-Free State" in green script, with the Ficksburg postmark tracing the outline of the same rock formation in miniature.
Information Card
Available but not taken out.
Theme: Other
Condition: AverageNoticeable wear or light damage, such as creases, minor soiling, small tears, or light discolouration, but still collectable.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
SG reference: 869
SAPO serial number: 6.17
Estimated value: ~US$0.62
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.
