This cover is part of Southern Covers, a private collection of 47 First Day Covers from South Africa and the homeland states. New to all this? Read the guide, or just browse the whole collection.
Papal Visit September 1995
South Africa, Pretoria · 1995-09-16
Official
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front
info card
info card_2
Cachet: Kenya, Tunisia, Cameroon, South Africa around papal seal.
Info card
This cover was postmarked on 16 September 1995 and catalogued as SAPO 6.14a. It commemorated Pope John Paul II's tour of Southern Africa from 16 to 18 September 1995 which was the first ever papal visit to South Africa. Its cachet listed the four countries included on that trip: Kenya Tunisia Cameroon and South Africa. That reflected a wider tour across the continent rather than a single country visit. The accompanying info card carries a portrait of the Pope alongside text explaining the significance of the visit. This cover captures a meaningful moment for South Africa's Catholic community and for the country more broadly, coming just over a year after the end of apartheid, at a time when the nation was welcoming an increasing number of high profile international visitors as part of its reintegration into world affairs.
Theme: National Events
Condition: PoorHeavy wear, significant discolouration, soiling, tears, stains, or other major damage.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
SAPO serial number: 6.14a
Estimated value: ~US$0.1
This is a high-level, subjective estimate only, not a professional appraisal.
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