SAPDA '97 Year of the Ox
South Africa, Johannesburg · 1997-05-02
Official first day cover (FDC) · South African philately
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This cover is postmarked between 2 and 4 May 1997 in Johannesburg, tied to the SAPDA '97 philatelic exhibition held at the Rosebank Hotel. It carries a Year of the Ox miniature sheet, sold in aid of the ILSAPEX '98 international stamp exhibition, with the sheet's single R4.50 stamp depicting an Afrikander bull. SAPDA, the South African Philatelic Dealers Association, and SANFA jointly organised the show, and the dual cancel on this cover reflects that partnership. The Afrikander is one of South Africa's oldest indigenous cattle breeds, giving the stamp choice a distinctly local link to the Year of the Ox theme.
Description of the Cachet
The cachet uses a soft purple background behind two large Chinese characters reading "Year of the Ox". Below the characters stands an illustration of a pale Brahman-type ox with long curved horns, rendered in a muted grey and lilac palette. The words "SAPDA '97" run across the bottom of the panel in bold lettering with the final "7" picked out in red. The right-hand side of the cover carries a miniature sheet rather than individual stamps. The sheet repeats the "Year of the Ox" motif in a smaller red illustration of a small herd of cattle, alongside a single R4.50 stamp showing an Afrikander bull. Printed text on the sheet notes it was sold in aid of ILSAPEX '98. Two SAPDA/SANFA commemorative cancels sit over the sheet, dated for the Rosebank Hotel show in Johannesburg from 2 to 4 May 1997.
Information Card
No info card was published with this cover.
Theme: Heritage
Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.
Addressed: No
Signed: No
Stamp denomination: R4.5 (ZAR)
SAPO serial number: 6.63
Estimated value: ~US$1.24
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 248 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.
