Collect Southern Africa

1910 2½d Union Commemorative

Archival Material

First Day Cancels
First Day Covers

Used Multiples
Covers to Unusual Destinations
Unusual Items
Introduction by Otto Peetoom
The Union of South Africa was formed on 31 May 1910 and the First Opening of a Union Parliament was on 4 November 1910 in Cape Town.

Leading up to this event a massive celebration took place, the streets of the City were decorated and several Arches were erected. In late October/early November 1910 there was an elaborate Pageant organized by a well known individual Frank Lascelles.

To Commemorate the Opening of Parliament a 2½d Commemorative Stamp was issued on 4 November 1910. Today the stamp is catalogued as SG 1 and 2. It would take another three years before the first Definitive issue appeared on 1 September 1913.

Many individuals have been fascinated by this Stamp and in some instances it is the only subject they specialise in, over the years important holdings of the Union 2½d Commemorative have appeared in Auction. In the South African Collectors Society several members are fans of the issue.

Continued in next column

 

Chris Board has researched the subject for years and an article entitled The Union Commemorative Stamp of South Africa 1910 and its designer Henry Straughan Wilkinson was published in the July/August edition of the London Philatelist. On book on the subject of SG 1 is in the making.

Rob & Lyn Lester have formed an extensive collection of SG 1 & 2. On more than one occasion they entertained the Audience at Leamington Spa with a stunning display of First Day Cancellations, Covers and Multiples.
They were the first members of the Society to contribute interesting material to the SACS website and to date very few have followed their example.

This comprehensive section on the Union 2½d Commemorative is thanks to Lyn & Bob Lester.

Under a section of covers to unusual destinations that include a 2½d Union SG 1 are places such as South America and the Panama Canal Zone.
However the ultimate destination is an item addressed to Captain Scott in the Antarctic. The foregoing featured in an article published in Southern Africa Philately No 2 (February 2016)

 
Archival Items
Spink have been very Generous and provided copies of the illustrations from their October 2013 Bloom Sale

As may be anticipated much of the material is in the Lester collection but there are a number of Old friends that I recognise that previously belonged to me. I have added a few modest items currently in my possession and more recently - Chris Palmer has kindly sent in a selection of interesting items

Die Proofs, Colour Trials, Specimens & Publicity Cards
Die Proofs
Printers Die Proofs are often Great Rarities being either Unique or one of very few - in the case of the 1910 2½d Commemorative they are quite abundant albeit many are observed as ‘different

Pencil date 18.7.X - E.F.H.
HARPENDEN
on the reverse
.

This Die Proof can be paired with the one from the De La Rue archives which is marked on the front 18.7.10 and described in the 1964 London Philatelist.

This particular Die Proof appears to have been the one sent to the Union Distributor of Stamps in 1910.

 

Die Proofs Ex Bloom
The Bloom sale offered three examples

Illustrated
courtesy of Spink

Die Proof - Palmer Collection

Colour Trial on Watermarked Paper - Unique

Mike Tonking collection
Colour Trials Ex Bloom
In Deep Blue
In Bright Blue - A Rare Version
Handstamped Specimen
Stuck horizontally
Struck at an angle
Continued in next column 
Publicity Cards
2½d with faint handstamped

SPECIMEN
In Violet

Ex Bloom
Bold diagonal
SPECIMEN

Lester Collection

Presentation Cards
These Cards were distributed to the Press to announce the Issue
by the High Commissioner in London

Lester Collection

First Day Cancellations - 4 NOV 1910

Cape Province


Natal

Although many people believe that First Day Cancellations from the Orange Free State are the scarcest, I have been informed that Natal is the most Elusive

Orange Free State

Transvaal
First Day Cancellations - Cape Province
HERSCHEL
Single Circle
KIMBERLEY
Single Circle
KIMBERLEY
Double Circle
MERRIMAN STREET
KIMBERLEY

Renamed Warren Street


Lester Collection


Lester Collection


Lester Collection


Peetoom Collection

PORT ELIZABETH
Single Circle
PORT ELIZABETH
Double Circle
PORT ST JOHN'S
Double Circle
WYNBERG
Double Circle


Lester Collection


Lester Collection


Lester Collection


Lester Collection

First Day Cancellations - Natal
FDI - Orange Free State


Lester Collection


Lester Collection


Palmer Collection

PIETERMARTIZBURG
Double Circle
PIETERMARTIZBURG
Double Circle
JAGERSFONTEIN
Double Circle
First Day Cancellations - Transvaal


Lester Collection


Lester Collection


Palmer Collection

MIDDELBURG
T
MIDDELBURG
TRANSVAAL
WOLMARANSSTAD
Double Circle
Used Multiples with First Day Cancels
Cape Province - Lester Collection
Kimberley
New Bethesda (50 kms north of Graaf-Reinet)
Wynberg (Cape Town)

Kimberley (one of the largest FDI multiples seen) - Steve Parsons collection
Woodstock Station
(Cape Town)

Lester Collection
Cape Province - Port Elizabeth
Ciskei - KOMGHA (Renamed KOMGA in 1911)

Lester Collection

Peetoom Collection
Natal - Hilary Lester Collection
Natal - Pietermaritzburg

Lester Collection
Johannesburg Registered
Johannesburg - Lester Collection
Middelburg Transvaal

Lester Collection

Lester Collection
4 NOV 1910 - First Day Covers
CAPE TOWN

An OHMS envelope with a Machine Cancellation
The Union 2½d applied over the above cancel &
received a regular datestamp on the First day of Issue

Lester Collection

 

Cape Town Registered
First Day Cover


Envelope with Union 2½d x 2 - 4d Registraion plus 1d Postage with
REGISTERED
11.00AM
4 NO 10
CAPE TOWN

Backstamped
OBSERVATORY ROAD
on the same day
Lester Collection

Kenhardt CGH

A town South of Upington

First day cover cover
with a multiple franking

Worcester
First Day Cover


Posted locally at
7.10AM
NO 4 10


Lester Collection
Port Elizabeth
First Day Cover


An Advertising envelope from a local Men's wear firm
Posted
8AM - NO 4 10


Lester Collection


Uitenhage First Day Postal stationery card

First Day Cover - Used in Natal

UITENHAGE 3.30PM - 4 NO 10 A C.O.G.H. KEVII Half-Penny Postal Stationery card to Bulawayo with a Union 2½d on the reverse 11 NOV 10 arrival
Lester Collection
MALONGENI - Near Dundee in Natal - A very rare cancel on a Union 2½d
First Day Office open 1908 - 1912 Name changed to Malonjeni at a later date
Lester Collection
First Day Covers - Used in Orange Free State

POST OFFICE-EDENBURG 4 NOV 10 O.F.C.
The Town is South of Bloemfontein - Posted locally along with an
Orange River Colony KEVII 1d definitive -
Lester Collection
BLOEMFONTEIN Appears to be a mourning cover the enclosed card suggests
it is merely a First day of issue from the Postmaster E.R. Johnson

Berwick-on-Tweed NO 27 10 Arrival backstamp Lester Collection
WINBURG
4 NOV 10

The Town is North of Bloemfontein

Note
The sender changed
O.R.C. to O.F.S.
‘Union of’
South Africa

Lester Collection

Bloemfontein First Day Postcard

BLOEMFONTEIN
4 NOV F 10
2


Postcard representing the
Four Provinces

with the slogan

Unity is Strength
Eenheid maak Sterk

Addressed to Dewetsdorp
with 5 NOV arrival cancel

First Day on a
Postcard is scarce


Palmer Collection
SCHWEITZER RENECKE

4 NOV C 10
TRANSVAAL


Palmer Collection

BENONI 4 NOV 10
Posted locally
- Lester Collection
REGISTERED - 4 NOV 10 5.30PM - JOHANNESBURG
Cape Town 7 NO 10 Arrival -
Lester Collection
Johannesburg First Day Postcard

JOHANNESBURG 4 NOV 10 1-PM 12 Postcard depicting a
Chinese Compound on the Rand - Addressed to Peter Falk a well known
Nurseryman in Rhodesia - GWELO arrival cancel
First Day on a Postcard is scarce
- Lester Collection
JOHANNESBURG 4 NOV 10 5.45PM 14
Postcard Depicting African Children around a cooking pot
Card to Luderitzbucht - In G.S.W.A.
Lester Collection

First Day Postcard

PIET RETIEF
a Town near the
Border of Swaziland
4 NOV c 10

Sent under separate cover after cancellation as there is no address

Card depicts prancing
Springbok


Quite an appropriate scene
for a S.A.C.S.
Website


Lester Collection

1910 2½d Union Used Multiples
Multiples used in the Cape Province - CAPE TOWN Roller Parcel Cancel
A continuous hand operated device consisting of six parallel Tramlines with
CAPETOWN Inserted between the second and third lines
Applied to a magnificent irregular block of 17 - Plus a single in the SW corner
A similar device was used at PORT ELIZABETH - Lester Collection
A continuous hand operated device consisting of six parallel Tramlines with CAPETOWN Inserted between the second and third lines
Another lovely block of 12 - Defaced with the Parcel canceller
Lester Collection

MOUBRAY - 1.30PM - MR 15 11
Lester Collection

SEA POINT in Cape Town
On a marginal block of six

SEA POINT - MR 28 11

Note
The Printers mark on the selvedge indicates that the stamps are
No's 4 to 6 from Row 1 & 2

Lester Collection

PAARL near Cape Town
Cancelled
Double Circle

PAARL
C
JY 22
11

Cancelled
Single Circle
PAARL
C
JY 22
11
C.G.H.
A Block of twelve - more than likely used on a Parcel - Note the two stamps on the extreme right missed the initial Double Circle datestamp and
the matter rectified by cancelling them with one strike of a Single Circle - Lester Collection
Cape Province
PORT ELIZABETH

A continuous hand operated
device consisting of
six parallel Tramlines with
PORT ELIZABETH
Inserted twice between the
top and bottom lines
Struck on a block of four

Lester Collection

Multiple used in
Natal


DURBAN REGISTERED

Block of four Cancelled

REGISTERED
11 APR 13 - 4.00PM
DURBAN S. AFRICA

Lester Collection

UITENHAGE near
Port Elizabeth

A Single Circle
UITENHAGE
7 NO
10
C.G.H.

On a wonderful
block of 12

Lester Collection

IDUTYWA
the oldest
District
in theTranskei

A block of nine
Cancelled
IDUTYWA
11 FE
11

Lester
Collection

Multiples used in the Transvaal - Germiston Parcel Cancel
GERMISTON

Two blocks with a total of fourteen Stamps defaced with a
Barred Oval Parcel handstamp with
GERMISTON
across the centre struck in violet
This may be one of the largest
known used multiple

Lester Collection
GERMISTON
Parcel Cancels

These two items do not fall in a Multiple category but
demonstrate the use of
the Parcel Handstamp struck in
Violet and Black

Lester Collection

NYLSTROOM
In the Waterberg District
Northern Transvaal en route
to Beit Bridge

Splendid block of twelve
Cancelled
Double Circle

NYLSTROOM
21 MAR
11
TRANSVAAL

Lester Collection

To Captain Scott in the Antartic

Posted KOKSTAD NO 5 10 and addressed to the famous Explorer
Captain R. F. Scott - British Antartic Expedition McMurdo Sound - Queen Victoria Land via New Zealand

The envelope contained a letter wishing Scott good luck and expecting that it would be opened by him after he had conquered the South Pole. The letter reached the Antarctic Expedition after Scott's death returning from the pole, and was not answered until after the war, when the Expeditions affairs were being finalized, and Francis Drake, the postmaster of the Expedition, returned it to the sender, with an explanatory letter advising of Scott's death. The senders letter mentions that the stamp had been issued on that day, and the Duke had opened the first Parliament of the new Union of South Africa.It is part of a wonderful group of items, including newspaper reports of Scott sent with the original letter.

McMurdo Sound in Queen Victoria Land
Is at Latitude 77° 50'S Longitude 166°
40'E
It is due South from the SW tip of New Zealand and 730 nautical miles from the South Pole
It is in the Ross Sea and lies close to Mount Erebus which is the second highest volcano in Antarctica and the southernmost active volcano on earth.

McMurdo sound is named after an American General and used today as a landing strip.
Nearby there is an American station of the same name andScott Base is close.
Average mean sea-leveltemperature is -20 °C Monthly mean range -3 °C in January to -28 °C in August. Stormiest months - February and October
Starting in 1955 - 1956 the US made missions to the Antarctic codenamed Operation Deep Freeze
In 2013 a 46 cent Commemorative was issued depicting their ships in McMurdo Sound
Unusual Destinations in Africa

Registered within the Transkei
UMTATA to NGQELENI

In the Transkei
Union 2½d pair paying 4d Registration plus 1d Postage
Cancelled UMTATA SP 25 12
Manuscript registration

Simply addressed to Old Bunting
A Methodist Mission station at Ngqeleni
20 Kilometres Southeast of Umtata

The only Transkei destination
Lyn & Rob have encountered

Lester Collection
Unusual Destination - Deutcshe Seepost to GSWA

CAPE TOWN to LUDERITZBUCHT
In German South West Africa
Union 2½d x 2 cancelled with oval
DEUTSCHE SEEPOST
LINNIE HAMBURG WEST AFRIKA 6 11 12

Carried on the Frieda Woermann
Via Port Nolloth, Angra Pequina to Walfish Bay thence onto
Luderitzbucht with 30 11 12 arrival backstamp

Other covers with the same destination
have been see all addressed to the same person

Lester Collection

Unusual Destinations - To Boma in the Belgian Congo

JOHANNESBURG to BOMA
Via Rhodesia addressed to
The Vice Consul General of the USA
At Boma in the Belgian Congo
Surface rate paid with Union
2½d
Machine cancel JOHANNESBURG MAY 3 1911

Routed via Southern Rhodesia and Angola
With transit backstamps Bulawayo

6 May & Luanda 26 V 11 plus
BOMA 1 JUIN 1911 arrival

Boma is just across the
NW border of Angola

Lester Collection
Unusual Destinations in Europe & Scandinavia

Lisbon, Portugal

PRETORIA to LISBON
Inter-Provincial use of a KEVII 4d
Registration Evelope with 5d Postage paid with
Union 2½d x 2 cancelled PRETORIA 13 JA 13
By sea to Funchal Maderia 28 JAN 13 and more than
sent on a different ship to Portugal with

LISBOA CENTRAL 1 2 13 arrival

This is the only Portuguese SG 1 destination
Lyn & Rob have seen - It seems quite strange as
South Africa enjoyed its fair share of
Portuguese Immigrants - perhaps there were
not that many in 1913?

Lester Collection

Unusual Destination - Stockholm, Sweden

JOHANNESBURG
to STOCKHOLM


Inter-Provincial use of a
KEVII 3d plus
Union 2½d x 2 cancelled JOHANNESBURG
21 JUL 13


With Stockholm
12 AUG 13
Arrival backstamp

Palmer Collection

Unusual Destination - Langebaan to Larvik, Norway

LANGEBAAN to LARVIK
Surface rate paid with Union 2½d
Cancelled LANGEBAAN
7 OCT 12
Arrival backstamp
LARVIK
29 10 1912

Only Norwegian destination seen

Lester Collection
Unusual Destination - To Hamburg (JA 16 11)
Unusual Destination - To Bohemia

JOHANNESBURG to Bohemia (Czech lands)
Posted Johannesburg NOV 25 1910
Unusual Destination - To Smyrna, Turkey

NYLSTROOM to SMYRNA
KEVII 4d Registration Envelope - Inter-Provincial use with 5d Postage
NYLSTROOM 3 JL 10
PRETORIA to SMYRNA
KEVII 4d Registration Envelope - Inter-Provincial use with 7½d Postage
PRETORIA 9 OCT 13 - London 28 OCT 13 transit - Smyrna 4 NOV 13 arrival
Unusual Destination - To Kimberley to Greece
Unusual Destination - To Persia

KIMBERLEY 2 DE 12
JOHANNESBURG 2 DEC 12
Unusual Destinations in the Americas & Australia
To Saskatoon, Canada

JOHANNESBURG to SASKATOON
A colourful franking with an
Inter-Provincial use of a Natal KEVII
2½d, Union 2½d plus
a pair of ½d Springbok definitives
4d Registration & 2d Postage
Cancelled
JOHANNESBURG
20 DEC 26
Backstamped
Montreal 21 JAN 27 transit and
Saskatoon JAN 24 27 arrival

Redirected with Saskatoon
JAN 25 27 dispatch and
Calgary JAN 26 27 arrival

Only Canadian destination seen
Lester Collection
Unusual Destination - To Ancon, Panama Canal Zone
KOWIE WEST to ANCON
Panama Canal Zone
An Inter-Provincial use of a
COGH KEVII 1d envelope, a 1d OFS VRI overprint

plus aUnion
2½d pair
- Registered and
Cancelled KOWIE WEST MR 11 11
Transit backstamps, London & New York
4 - 9 and 5 - 9 1911 plus Ancon APR 18 1911 arrival

Lyn and Rob comment
We have a couple to this destination but
this is the most attractive of the covers


Lester Collection
Unusual Destination - To Honolulu, Hawaii
PRETORIA to HONOLULU
An OHMS Newspaper wrapper with
an Inter-Provincial use of a
Transvaal KEVII 1d plus a
Union 2½d
Cancelled PRETORIA 23 SEP 12

It comes as no surprise that it is the only known Hawaian destination


Lester Collection
Unusual Destination - To Tasmania, Australia

GEORGE to LAUNCESTON

In Tasmania, Australia
An Inter-Provincial use of a
COGH KEVII 4d Registered envelope
plus
a
Union 2½d
Cancelled with a GEORGE
AP 21 11 Relief datestamp
Backstamped Cape Town
23 AP 11 transit - No arrival mark

Another very unusual destination

Lester Collection
Unusual Items - A Christmas Card from Pretoria

Unusual Cancellation - A Cork Cancel

1910 Pageant Emblem
There are two schools of thought on this very unusual cancel
Either a Rosette that resembles the Watermark OR is it meant to look like the
Emblem used for the 1910 Pageant
Peetoom Collection
PRETORIA
The 1910 Union 2½d used as a Centre Piece on a Christmas card

Hearty Seasons Greetings from
Mr & Mrs H. G. Everett, Box 63, Pretoria S.A.

Peetoom Collection

Unusual Item - Stamp with Private Perfin on Cover
Date Stamped
CAPE TOWN
9 OCT 12

This is the only known perfined
Union 2½d on cover

Lester Collection
1910 Union 2½d with Private Perfin
J D & CO

John Dickinson & Co
African & Australian Branch
Apsley House, Wale Street
Cape Town
Identity of Company as per the backflap
Plus arrival CURWENSVILLE
NO 5 11AM 1912

Web design by Otto Peetoom