SA Merchant Marine 50 Years Anniversary
South Africa, Cape Town · 1996-08-05
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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This cover was postmarked on 8 May 1996 and catalogued as SAPO 6.40. It marked fifty years of the South African Merchant Marine spanning 1946 to 1996 and featured four stamps depicting historic vessels including the Sea Pioneer and the SA Vaal. South Africa's merchant fleet played a critical role in keeping the country's trade routes open during the apartheid years when many international shipping lines avoided South African ports altogether.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet shows a stylised ocean liner in muted grey tones, its funnel painted in bold orange, cream and navy bands, set against a soft grey circular backdrop meant to suggest a porthole or the sun over the sea. Puffs of smoke trail from the funnel in a repeating pattern of grey circles. Below, a dark green banner reads "SA Merchant Marine 1946-1996" in bold white lettering.
Information Card
No info card.
Theme: Transport
Condition: Very FineVery attractive. Clean and crisp, no discolouration, only the slightest signs of handling.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
SG reference: 930-933
SAPO serial number: 6.40
Estimated value: ~US$1.36
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 209 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.
