Tourism Northern Transvaal
South Africa, Messina · 1995-06-30
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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This cover was postmarked on 30 June 1995 at Messina and catalogued as SAPO 6.16. Its cachet featured the Adansonia digitata, better known as the baobab tree, a species strongly associated with South Africa's far northern reaches. Messina sat right on the border with Zimbabwe and took its name from the copper mining that once dominated the town's economy.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet shows a detailed pencil illustration of a baobab tree, Adansonia digitata, drawn in fine cross hatching with its wide trunk and bare, spreading branches. The tree sits within a circular vignette on a plain background, with the scientific name printed beneath in italics, and the bilingual title "Toerisme-Noord Transvaal / Tourism-Northern Transvaal" running along the bottom in a brown script font.
Information Card
Available - but not removed
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: 868
SAPO serial number: 6.16
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.
