World Post Day 1996
South Africa, Bloemfontein · 1996-10-09
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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This cover is postmarked on 09-10-1996 in Bloemfontein. It marks World Post Day 1996, an annual observance recognised by postal administrations worldwide on 9 October, the anniversary of the founding of the Universal Postal Union in 1874. The stamp and cachet, both illustrated by Johan van Niekerk, depict postal workers at different stages of mail delivery, from sorting at the pillar box to hand delivery at the door.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet is a full colour illustration of a postal worker bent into the doorway of a red pillar box, hauling a heavy mail sack marked with postal service lettering in red and black. Two collection boxes stand side by side behind him, one labelled "BRIEWE POSTING" in the bilingual style typical of South African postal signage of the era. "World Post Day 1996" runs across the bottom of the illustration in bold white lettering against the red background. The single stamp, illustrated by Johan van Niekerk, echoes the cachet with a postman delivering a letter by bicycle at a front door. The Bloemfontein postmark carries the slogan "The post the best choice" alongside a stylised diamond motif and the World Post Day dateline. This is a straightforward thematic release marking the annual World Post Day observance rather than a South African specific historical event.
Information Card
No info card was uploaded for this cover. Only the cover itself is available.
Theme: National Events
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Stamp denomination: R0.7 (ZAR)
SG reference: 936
SAPO serial number: 6.45
Estimated value: ~US$0.43
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.
