Blue Train 6.52

South Africa, Beaufort West · 1997-08-01

Official

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front

Cachet: The cachet is a detailed pencil drawing of the Three Sisters, a group of flat topped hills rising from the Karoo landscape. The largest hill sits at the centre, its rock face rendered with heavy, textured shading that lightens toward the base where scrubby vegetation and scattered trees fade into the foreground. Two smaller hills flank it on either side, drawn with a softer, hazier touch as if seen at a distance through Karoo dust. The composition captures the flat, dry openness of the region, with the hills standing as the only real interruption on the horizon. Below the illustration the words "Blue Train" appear in a wide spaced serif type, alongside the Blue Train's own logo.

Info card

This cover was issued without an info card.

Additional information

This cover is postmarked on 1 October 1997 in Beaufort West, with a special Blue Train commemorative postmark. The stamp depicts steam powered locomotives running between Three Sisters and Hutchinson and is marked for the airmail postcard rate. The Three Sisters are a well known landmark along the Karoo rail route, and the small settlement that takes its name from them was historically an important stop for steam locomotives needing to take on water during the long crossing of the Karoo.

Theme: Transport

Condition: FineGood condition. Minor wear or small imperfections, but overall well-presented.

Addressed: No

Signed: No

SAPO serial number: 6.52

Estimated value: ~US$0.1

This is a high-level, subjective estimate only, not a professional appraisal.