Collect Southern Africa

Republic of South Africa
Commemoratives Part I - The First 30 Years 1961 - 1990
By Otto Peetoom
Collecting RSA
Many enthusiasts have told me that they stopped collecting RSA by the mid to late 1990’s. The reason is because of a continuous flow of new issues. Also larger formats that resemble labels rather than stamps and some sheetlets attain the size of a small poster plus a hoard of pictorial booklets.

Catalogue Discrepancies and Errors
Comparing the SG Southern & Central Africa catalogue (Second edition 2014) and The South African Colour Catalogue (2015) it soon came to light that both include errors and that dates of issue conflict. Whilst many of my queries have an answer, others linger on and will be resolved.

Numbering
During 50 years of Union, all issues in the Stanley Gibbons catalogue number from 1 to 184. RSA started in 1961 with No 198 and by 5 November 2010 reached SG 1876 . In the SACC the same stamps are numbered from 197 to 2160 which includes many items which are only foot-noted in SG.

I exclude the 1987-88 Flood Disaster overprints. Certain items listed in the SACC are not relevant such as 1986-95 Philatelic Foundation- and 1996-98 Corporate miniature sheets. These MS are footnoted by Stanley Gibbons.
All the foregoing items will be reviewed in due course.

Stamp Collecting
During the 1960’s, 70’s and into the 1980’s there were many ordinary collectors of all ages who were content in assembling sets of stamps in mint and/or used condition that often included First Day covers. During the earlier period RSA and many other Postal Authorities initially continued with a conservative issuing policy for their commemoratives.

  Reviewing RSA Commemoratives
The first thirty years (1961 to 1990) is fairly straight forward, there were 138 issues which include 19 miniature sheets and no pictorial booklets.
New gimmicks include larger size stamps, same value se-tenant pairs, blocks or strips of five. The introduction of a miniature sheet in 1975, which replicates the stamps, meant that the collector had to buy the same set twice.

From Postal Necessity to the Ridiculous
Despite the decline of the number of collectors, during the 1990’s Philatelic Services steamed full ahead, claiming they were improving the hobby and promoting philately. During the fourth decade, 1991 to 2000, RSA produced more stamps than they had done in the previous thirty years. In the next ten years (2001 - 2010) the output rose another fifty percent.

It is quite ironic that as the hobby of stamp collecting became less popular, many countries, including RSA, produced more and more issues for a dwindling collecting public.

Appreciating RSA Commemoratives
I believe it is fair to say that most people merely collect the issues without taking an interest in the subject or the reason for said issue. Starting with the 1965 ITU set, the Post Office produced Official FDC's and No 1 was a card and from No 2 it was an envelope. Each envelope contains an inset which provides information about the issue and I wonder how many people have taken the time to read said information.

RSA - A Review of the first Five Years 1961 to 1965
Many of the issues are anniversaries or historical events, either local or international. The stamps also depict people who ruled in the past or in the present, overall during the first 10 years, many issues are dull and mundane.

  
The First Five Years 1961 - 1965
1961 - 65
Started with the 50th Anniversary of the first South African flight from Kenilworth to Muizenberg with a single 3 cent stamp for 1961.
Other sets issued during 1962(2), 1963(3), 1964(3) and 1965(2) each with either one or two stamps.

In five years, eleven issues, with 17 standard sized stamps, either 38 x 21mm (horizontal) or 21 x 38mm (vertical)
Printed in sheets of 100 Cylinders 104 58

A 3c value depicting
two types of aircraft,
a Bleriot monoplane,
used on the first flight
and a SAA Boeing 707

The first mail was flown
on 27 December 1911

Designed by Government
Printing Works artists
1 December 1961
50th Anniversary
of First Flight
The Aero Philatelic Society
Produced a Postcard cancelled
at KENILWORTH
and taken to
MUIZENBERG
with an arrival date stamp.

The intention was to carry the cards on a helicopter, but the PMG would not permit that.

1 March 1962
2½c Volkspele Anniversary

Printed in sheets of 100
Cylinders S22A S34A - S22B S34B

Printing details appeared in the April 1962 SAP

Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of South African Folk Dancers (Volkspele) with a couple in Traditional costume.

A special Commemorative datestamp
was used at Bloemfontein

VOLKSPELE - FOLKDANCES 1912 - 1962
By Sylvester L. Crozet
Published in The South African Philatelist March 1962

Folk dancing had its origin in 1912 when Dr S. Henri Pellissier, a young South African who held a teaching post at Naas, in Sweden, undertook a study of Swedish national costume, folksongs and folkdances.

He became so enthralled with this facet of Swedish culture, that one day he confided to a companion his innermost thoughts...I could creep into my shell with shame, ‘he said’, on account of the apathy of my own nation towards a culture; a culture which in a country as Sweden, is the pride of the folk life; while we live in a distant background and only gather together at occasional farmers’ meetings in the country districts...I will take it upon myself, when I return home, to elevate to a place of honour our own national dress, our own songs and our own folkdances.

In these few words lies the birth of the graceful folkdances as they are performed by South African men and women today.

Early in 1914, on his return to this country, Dr Pellissier inaugurated folk dancing in the village of Boshoff in the Orange Free State and, for the purpose of the inception, translated a number of Swedish folk games into Afrikaans and presented these to the young people who were interested in the innovation.

The introduction of these movements, which were gracefully executed with the utmost dignity, found great approval and contributed considerably to the already known, so called, Afrikaans dances, which were then little more than games played at picnics.

 

It is of significance to note that Dr Pellissier felt that folkdances and folksongs could not progress without the careful study and making and wearing of folk dress by the participants.
Therefore on December 16, 1915 - the Day of the Covenant - he persuaded twenty-five men and some fifty women to attend the celebrations in Voortrekker dress. This in all probability was the first occasion on which celebrants attended such a festival in national costume.

From this time onwards, folkdances were regularly practised by the scholars of the school at Boshoff and later at Ficksburg, also in the Orange Free State. It was not long before the innovation spread far and wide, and in a short while the nation became interested in the advancement of the art.

As time passed folk dancing gathered momentum and, with the advent of the centenary of the Great Trek in 1938, this form of entertainment in South Africa became firmly established. Throughout the country classes in folk dancing were held and every possible precaution was taken to ensure that this, the youngest branch of our culture, would be established on a sound and methodical footing.

Exhaustive research was undertaken in regard to the attire of the Voortrekkers and the costumes of folk dancers were modelled on the early festive raiment of these pioneers.

Time, as always, has brought with it variations in the dress which was the vogue nearly a century and a-quarter ago. Hence, so as to assist both men and women to garb themselves properly for folk dancing; which now-a-days takes place at cultural gatherings on public holidays; the Uniale Raad vir Volksang en Volkspele has established a code of correct dress for both sexes of performers.

 
The stamps portray the ship Chapman which arrived in Algoa Bay on
10 April 1820 and brought a large
group of Settlers from Britain

Printed in sheets of 100
Cylinders
2½c S9 S5 - 12½c 102A 58

Issued to Commemorate the unvailing
of the precinct stone of the British Settlers Monument at Grahamstown

A special Commemorative datestamp was used on 3 September 1962 at Grahamstown - See cover at right

20 August 1962
1820 Settlers (2 values)
2½c & 12½c

RSA Commemoratives Printings 1961 - 1962

Printing details of the early RSA Commemoratives
Details supplied by the Publicity Officer, Department of Posts and Telegraphs. Published in relevant editions of The South African Philatelist from 1962 onwards.

1 December 1961 - 2½c 50th Anniversary of First Flight
Job No 17767.92 - Cylinders 104 58
80,000 sheets (5 x 20 = 100 stamps) 8,500 sheets delivered on 19.10.1961. 67,000 sheets by 5.11.61 and by 28.11.76 a total of 76,475 sheets = 7.6+ million stamps.

  

1 March 1962 - 2½c Volkspele Anniversary
Job No 121341.31 - Cylinders S22A S34A - S22B S34B
500,000 sheets (5 x 20 = 100 stamps) 10,500 sheets delivered on 23.1.1962 and 57,500 by 5.2.62. Finally a total of 498,455 sheets by 17.4.1962.

20 August 1962 - 1820 Settlers (2 values) 2½c & 12½c
Job No 26410.59 - Cylinders 2½c S9 S5 - 12½c 102A 58

2½c 500,000 sheets (x 100 stamps) 7,500 sheets delivered on 10.7.1962 and total 457,192 sheets by 13.8.62.

12½c 15,000 sheets (x 100 stamps) 5,000 sheets delivered on 12.7.62 and total 16,440 sheets by 19.7.1962.

  
14 March 1963
2½c Kirstenbosch Anniversary
30 August 1963
Red Cross Centenary
(2 values)
11 December 1963
2½c Transkei Assembly
10 July 1964 - Calvin Anniversary

Red Cross varieties - 2½ cent with watermark reversed
12½ cent with Red cross omitted
Transkei Variety
2½ cent with green omitted
1963 Transkei FDC with Special Umtata date stamp
1964 Calvin FDC cancelled at Calvinia
8 May 1964
Rugby Anniversary
(2 values)

 
12 October 1964
SA Nursing Anniversary
(2 values)

2½ cent Type I & II
Base of lamp with and without shading

RSA Commemoratives Printings 1963 - 1964

14 March 1963 - 2½c Kirstenbosch Anniversary
Job No 28366.86 - Cylinders 4 15 16 6 in 4 panes A, B, C & D
500,000 sheets (x 100 stamps) 22,600 sheets delivered on 5.2.63 and 43,300 by 8.3.63. Total of 435,496 sheets by 23.4.1963.

30 August 1963 - Red Cross Centenary 2½c & 12½c values
Job No 39398.08 - Cylinders 2½c 42 82 89 A & B and 2½c 42 99 89 A&B 12½c 7 82 A & B

2½c 500,000 sheets (5 x 20 = 100 stamps) 26,200 sheets delivered on 23.7.63 and 99,200 by 8.8.63. A total of 398,119 sheets by 17.10.63.

12½c 15,000 sheets (x 100 stamps) 5,800 sheets delivered on 26.7.63 and 17,700 by 30.7.63. A total of 17,776 sheets by 17.10.63.

The Red Cross issue was the first to be printed on Harrison paper with a RSA watermark.

11 December 1963 - 2½c Transkei Assembly
Job No 45940.86 - Cylinders S31 S12 A & B
625,000 sheets (4 x 20 = 80 stamps) 2000 sheets delivered on 22.11.63 and 547,803 by 8.2.64. Total of 635,655 sheets by 13.2.1964.

 

10 July 1964 - 2½c Calvin Anniversary
Job No 53165.39 - Cylinders 3 14 4 in Panes A, B, C & D
500,000 sheets (5 x 20 = 100 stamps) 60,200 sheets delivered on 23.6.64 and a total of 407,592 by 6.8.1964.

8 May 1964 - Rugby Anniversary (2 values) 2½c & 12½c
2½c - Job No 44513.73 - Cylinders S11 S7 A & B
500,000 sheets (5 x 20 = 100 stamps) 17,100 sheets delivered on 25.3.64 and a total of 473,927 by 9.6.64.

12½c - Job No 44514.74 - Cylinders S14 S12 A & B
15,000 sheets (x 100 stamps) 2,020 sheets delivered on 26.3.64 and a total of 14,351 sheets by 31.7.1964.

12 October 1964 - SA Nursing Anniversary(2 values) 2½c and 12½c
Cylinders 2½c S28 S29 A & B. 12½c S15 S32 A & B
Cylinders 2½c S3 S15 A & B and S7 S14 A & B
Type I & II Base of lamp with and without shading
12½c S17 S16 A & B

2½c - Job No 50560.60 - 500,000 sheets (5 x 20 = 100 stamps)
47,100 sheets delivered on 25.8.64 and a total of 373,160 by 8.10.64. Cylinder S3 S15 (120,190 sheets) A 65,430 and B 54,760 sheets. Cylinder S7 S14 (252,970 sheets) A 127,200 and B 125,770 sheets.

12½c - Job No 50561.61 - 15,000 sheets (x 100 stamps) 15,598 sheets delivered on 20.8.1964 split as A 7,750 and B 7,848 sheets. Note: This is the only report I have seen that gave numbers for cylinders A & B.

  
No
Date
1961 - 1965 Commemoratives
Stamps
1
01.12.61
 First Flight Anniversary
1
2
01.03.62
 Volkspele Anniversary
1
3
20.08.62
 1820 Settlers
2
4
14.03.63
 Kirstenbosch Anniversary
1
5
30.08.63
 Red Cross Centenary
2
6
11.12.63
 Transkei Assembly
1
 
No
Date
Commemoratives Issues
Stamps
7
08.05.64
 Rugby Anniversary
2
8
10.07.64
 Calvin Anniversary
1
9
12.10.64
 SA Nursing Anniversary
2
10
17.05.65
 ITU Centenary
2
11
21.10.65
 DRC Tercentenary
2
5
5
Total
17
1965 First Official Post Office FDC's No's 1 & 2

1965 DRC Tercentenary P.O. FDC No 2
17 May 1965
ITU Centenary (2 values)
21 October 1965
DRC Tercentenary
(2 values)
1965 ITU Card

Reverse with either
Three diamonds
First Printing
or
Two diamonds
Second Printing

RSA Commemoratives Printings 1965

17 May 1965 - ITU Centenary (2 values) 2½c and 12½c
Cylinders 2½c S28 S29 A & B. 12½c S15 S32 A & B

2½c - Job No 59940.47 - 500,000 sheets (x 100 stamps)
17,300 sheets delivered on 27.4.65 and 425,601 by 30.6.65. Final delivery total 504,701.

12½c - Job No 59941.48 - 15,000 sheets (x 100 stamps) 7,900 sheets delivered on 27.4.65 and total of 17,401 by 10.5.1965. An Official card was available for first day of use.

  


21 October 1965 - DRC Tercentenary (Two values) 2½c & 12½c
Cylinders 2½c S28 S29 A & B. 12½c 74 117 12

2½c - Job No 66219.64 - 500,000 sheets (5 x 20 = 100 stamps) 4,000 sheets delivered on 16.9.65 and 158,404 by 30.9.65. Total 515,304 sheets by 21.12.1965.

12½c - Job No 66220.65 - 15,000 sheets (x 100 stamps)
2,000 sheets delivered on 16.9.65 - total of 17,504 by 21.9.65.


  
1966 to 1970 - The Second Five Years
31 May 1966
Fifth Republic Anniversary
Four bi-lingual pairs
On 31 May 1966, to celebrate five years of Republic, a set of four designs, printed on Harrison paper, in bilingual pairs, making it an eight stamp set

At a later date this issue was reprinted on Swiss paper and included in
a special booklet for presentation to delegates attending the
1969 UPU Congress in Tokyo - Page illustrated at right

RSA Commemoratives Printings 1966

Printing details of the early RSA Commemoratives
Details supplied by the Publicity Officer, Department of Posts and Telegraphs. Published in relevant editions of The South African Philatelist.

31 May 1966 - Fifth Republic Anniversary - In four bi-lingual pairs
Designs chosen from a competition - Reported in March 1966 SAP

Job No 69807.16

1c Cylinder 35 5 86 A & B - 725,000 sheets (x 100 stamps) 3,700 sheets delivered on 21.4.66 and 419,500 by 30.6.66. Final delivery a total of 587,000 sheets by 2.8.66. Original drawing by C. Skotnes and the working drawing and lettering done by the Government Printer’s artist.

  

2½c Cylinder 93 88 84 A & B - 560,000 sheets (x 100 stamps) 13,500 sheets delivered on 26.4.66 and 341,000 by 30.6.66. Total of 466,000 by 26.7.66.

3c Cylinder 110 124 125 - 82,000 sheets (x 100 stamps) 20,200 delivered on 3.5.66 and 61,600 sheets by 30.6.66. Total 83,900 sheets by 5.7.1966.

7½c Cylinders 87 118 9 and 87 118 4 - 40,000 sheets (x 100 stamps) First cylinder, 13,700 sheets delivered on 19.4.66 and 22,000 by 30.6.66. After this cylinder 9 developed a flaw and replaced by new cylinder 4 and remaining 21,400 sheets printed. First delivery from cylinder 4 on 5.7.66 of 13,600 sheets. Total delivery for both cylinders being 43,400 sheets by 7.7.1966.

Note The way in which the report is made creates an impression that Skotnes only designed the 1 cent value.

  
6 December 1966
Verwoerd Commemoration (3 values)

Variety - 3 cent Brown omitted
31 October 1967
450th Reformation Anniversary
(2 values)
10 April 1968
President Fouché Inauguration (2 values)
12½c exists with RSA watermark, upright and RSA Tete Bêchê
21 September 1968
Hertzog Monument Inauguration
(3 values)
15 March 1969
SA Games in
Bloemfontein
(2 values)
7 July 1969
First Heart Transplant
(2 values)
6 October 1969
ZAR Centenary (2 values)

2½ cent Printed on Harrison or Swiss Paper
14 February 1970
Water Campaign
(2 values)
No
Date
1966 - 1970 Commemoratives
Stamps

12
31.05.66
 Fifth Republic Anniversary
8
13
06.12.66
 Verwoerd Commemoration
3
14
31.10.67
 450th Reformation Anniversary
2
15
10.04.68
 President Fouché Inauguration
2
16
21..09.68
 Hertzog Monument Inauguration
3
 
No
Date
Commemorative Issues
Stamps
17
15.03.69
 SA Games in Bloemfontein
2
18
07.07.69
 First Heart Transplant
2
19
06.10.69
 ZAR Centenary
2
20
14.02.70
 Water Campaign
2
21
24.08.70
 150th Bible Society Anniversary
2
1971 to 1980 - The Second Decade of the Republic
On 31 May 1971 South Africa marked the tenth Anniversary of the Republic with two stamps, a 2 & 4 cents value depicting the landing of the 1820 British Settlers and Presidents Steyn and Kruger. Both stamps are dull and uninspiring.

The First Post Office Gimmick
Starting with the 1972 10 cent Verwoerd Dam, a horizontal design being 50% wider than before 57 x 21 mm, used on several occasions in a horizontal format, 1973 Telecom, 1974 5c Tulbagh, 15c UPU & 4c Monument, 1975 Tourism, 1978 Walvis-, Richards- & Saldanha Bay. Then in 1981 it was used vertically for the four designs of Orchids. (21 x 57 mm)
24 August 1970
150th Bible Society Anniversary
(2 values)
1971 to 1975 - Year Eleven to Fifteen
22 May 1971
5c Strijdom Tower
Watermark RSA or Coat of Arms
12½c Antarctic Treaty
31 May 1971
10th Republic Anniversary (2 Values)
Watermark Variety on both values
Reversed watermark (common)
4 March 1972
Verwoerd Dam (3 values)
10c New size 57 x 21 mm
19 September 1972
5c SPCA Centenary
1 February 1973
ESCOM Anniversary (3 values)
2 April 1973
UNISA Centenary (3 values)
Definitive size stamps used for Commemorative designs
Starting with the 1973 ESCOM 50th Anniversary, a 21 x 26 mm stamp, either vertical or horizontal, was used up to 1986.
Other issues including a definitive size stamp are 1973 UNISA, Langenhoven, 1974 4c Tulbagh, 1975 GRA, 1979 Roses, 1981 15c Viljoen, 1982 Prehistoric Animals, 1983 Sport, 1984 Authors and 1986 20c & 30c Golden City.
2 June 1973
Bicentenary of Woltemade Rescue
(3 values)
1 August 1973
Langenhoven Centenary
(3 values)
1 October 1973
World Telecommunication - Size 57 x 21 mm

Either without- and with watermark (RSA)

6 April 1974
9c Numismatic
Convention

22 May 1974
4c D.F. Malan
Centenary
14 March 1974
Tulbagh Restoration (2 Values)
5c = 57 x 21 mm
13 June 1974
15c Sugar Congress
13 July 1974
4c 50th Anniversary of Broadcasting
Variety - Black omitted
13 July 1974
5c Settlers Monument
Inauguration
9 October 1974
15c UPU Centenary
Size 57 x 21 mm
6 December 1974
Voortrekker Monument
Size 57 x 21 mm
26 February 1975
SASOL Anniversary
15c Diederichs also known in a much deeper shade
19 April 1975
President Diederichs (2 values)
24 May 1975
Jan Smuts Anniversary
18 June 1975
Thomas Baines Centenary (4 values + MS No 1) - Variety 9c in an Imperforate pair
This issue included a miniature sheet for the first time that meant
the collector had to buy the same set twice.
The 1975 Baines was the first RSA commemorative set that included four values and that became regular policy
in the second half of the 70’s and continued throughout the 1980’s.
11 September 1975
Mechanised
Postal Sorting
10 October 1975
Language Monument Inauguration
14 August 1975
GRA Centenary
No
Date
1971 - 1975 Commemoratives
Stamps
22
22.05.71
 Strijdom Tower
1
23
22.05.71
 Antarctic Treaty
1
24
31.05.71
 10th Republic Anniversary
2
25
04.03.72
 Verwoerd Dam - 10c New size 57 x 21 mm
3
26
19.09.72
 SPCA Centenary
1
27
01.02.73
 ESCOM Anniversary - Definitive size
3
28
02.04.73
 UNISA Centenary
1
29
02.06.73
 Bicentenary of Woltemade Rescue
3
30
01.08.73
 Langenhoven Centenary
3
31
01.10.73
 World Telecommunication - Size 57 x 21 mm
1
32
14.03.74
 Tulbagh Restoration - 5c = 57 x 21 mm
2
33
06.04.74
 Numismatic Convention
1
34
22.05.74
 D.F. Malan Centenary
1
35
13.06.74
 Sugar Congress
1
 
No
Date
Commemorative Issues
Stamps
36
13.07.74
 50th Anniversary of Broadcasting
1
37
13.07.74
 Settlers Monument Inauguration
1
38
09.10.74
 UPU Centenary - 57 x 21 mm
1
39
06.12.74
 Voortrekker Monument - 57 x 21 mm
1
40
26.02.75
 SASOL Anniversary
1
41
19.04.75
 President Diederichs
2
42
24.05.75
 Jan Smuts Anniversary
1
43
18.06.75
 Thomas Baines Centenary + MS No 1
4 + 1
44
14.08.75
 GRA Centenary
1
45
11.09.75
 Mechanised Postal Sorting
1
46
10.10.75
 Language Monument Inauguration
2
47
13.11.75
 SA Tourism Se-tenant block 57 x 21 mm
4
48
03.12.75
 Satellite Communication - New size
1
 
4 + 1 = 4 Stamps plus a Miniature sheet
13 November 1975
SA Tourism
(4 Stamps se-tenant)
Size 57 x 21 mm

Variety
15c Table Mountain, orange & yellow omitted
3 December 1975
15c Satellite Communication
New size 45 x 25.5 mm
The SA Tourism issue became the first se-tenant block in four different designs, in years to come this idea is exploited further into sheetlets.

1975 15c Satellite introduced a larger rectangular stamp 45 x 25.5 mm and this size continued in use during the late 1970’s and into the next two decades.
It was used vertically for the 1987 Beetles and after a lull reappeared on two values of the 1990 Co-operation, again took a backseat until 1994 Export Fruit.
From 1995 it became a popular size for single stamp MS.
1976 to 1980 - Year Sixteen to Twenty
18 February 1976
Sport - Bowls
15 March 1976
Sport - Cricket
6 April 1976
World Bowls
Champions

Variety
Gold overprint omitted
in pair with normal

Not listed in the Stanley Gibbons catalogue

20 April 1976
Erich Mayer - Paintings (4 values + MS No 2)

Variety - 4c Imperforate pair

5 June 1976
Nature
Conservation
Year
(4 values)
5 November 1976
Ocean Mail Centenary

Variety
Imperforate pair
8 June 1976
Emily Hobhouse Anniversary
16 August 1976
Sport - Polo
6 November 1976
Family Planning
2 December 1976
Sport - Golf

2 December 1976
Sport MS No 3 - Note the MS is numbered '2' and the Mayer MS is numbered '3'
14 February 1977
Wine Symposium

Variety
Word ‘die’ omitted in margin ex R1/2
21 February 1977
Du Toit (Poet) Centenary
18 May 1977
Transvaal Supreme Court Centenary
15 September 1977
Metrication
15 August 1977
Physical
Education
Congress
8 October 1977
Uranium Development
11 November 1977
50 Years SA Flag
10 March 1978
Walvis Bay - Size 57 x 21 mm

Variety Imperforate pair
9 May 1978
Dr Murray Tribute
31 July 1978
Richards Bay & Saldanha Bay (2 values se-tennant)
5 June 1978
50 Years ISCOR - Size 45 x 25.5 mm

21 August 1978
Volschenk - Paintings (4 values + MS No 3)

13 November 1978
Tourism - Landscapes/ Cango caves (4 values)
10 October 1978
President Vorster
Both Perforation
14 x 13½

4c Also
Perforation
12½ x 12
12 February 1979
Tellurometer - Size 45 x 25.5 mm
30 March 1979
Printing Anniversary - Size 45 x 25.5 mm

25 May 1979
Zulu War Centenary
(3 values + MS No 5)

No
Date
1976 - 1978 Commemoratives
Stamps
49
18.02.76
 Sport - Bowls
1
50
15.03.76
 Sport - Cricket
1
51
06.04.76
 World Bowls Champions
1
52
20.04.76
 Erich Mayer - Paintings + MS No 2
4 + 1
53
05.06.76
 Nature Conservation Year
4
54
08.06.76
 Emily Hobhouse Anniversary
1
55
16.08.76
 Sport - Polo
1
56
05.10.76
 Ocean Mail Centenary
1
57
06.11.76
 Family Planning
1
58
02.12.76
 Sport - Golf
1
59
02.12.76
 Sport MS No 3
MS
60
14.02.77
 Wine Symposium
1
61
21.02.77
 Du Toit (Poet) Centenary
1
62
18.05.77
 Transvaal Supreme Court Centenary
1
63
15.08.77
 Physical Education Congress
1
64
15.09.77
 Metrication
1
65
08.10.77
 Uranium Development
1
66
11.11.77
 50 Years SA Flag
1
67
10.03.78
 Walvis Bay - Size 57 x 21 mm
1
68
09.05.78
 Dr Murray Tribute
1
69
05.06.78
 50 Years ISCOR - Size 45 x 25.5 mm
1
 
No
Date
Commemorative Issues
Stamps
70
31.07.78
 Richards Bay & Saldanha Bay Se-tenant pair
2
71
21.08.78
 Volschenk - Paintings + MS No 4
4 + 1
72
10.10.78
 President Vorster
2
73
13.11.78
 Tourism - Landscapes/ Cango caves
4
74
12.02.79
 Tellurometer - Size 45 x 25.5 mm 
1
75
30.03.79
 Printing Anniversary - Size 45 x 25.5 mm 
1
76
02.04.79
 Save Fuel Se-tenant pair
2
77
25.05.79
 Zulu War Centenary + MS No 5
3 + 1
78
19.06.79
 Health Year
1
79
13.09.79
 SA Christmas Fund - 50 years
1
80
01.10.79
 Cape Town University Anniversary
1
81
04.10.79
 World Rose Convention + MS No 6
4 + 1
82
08.11.79
Stellenbosch Tercentenary
2
83
18.12.79
 FAK societies
1
84
06.05.80
 Pieter Wenning - Paintings + MS No 7
2 +1
85
12.05.80
 Diamond Congress
2
86
03.09.80
 Tribute to Louis Leipoldt
1
87
09.10.80
 University of Pretoria
1
88
03.11.80
 National Art Gallery + MS No 8
4 + 1
89
15.12.80
 Paardekraal Monument
2
   
4 + 1 = 4 Stamps plus a Miniature sheet
  
2 April 1979 - Save Fuel (2 values se-tennant)
19 June 1979
Health Year
Perforation 12½ x 12 or 14 x 13½
1 October 1979
Cape Town University Anniversary Perforation
12 x 12½ or 13½ x 14
13 September 1979
SA Christmas Fund - 50 years

4 October 1979
World Rose Convention (4 values + MS No 6)
8 November 1979
Stellenbosch Tercentenary (2 values)

6 May 1980
Pieter Wenning
Paintings
(2 values + MS No 7)

18 December 1979
 4c FAK societies

3 September 1980
5c Louis Leipoldt Tribute
9 October 1980
5c University of Pretoria

12 May 1980
Diamond Congress
(2 values)
15 December 1980
Paardekraal Monument
(2 values)

3 November 1980
National Art Gallery (4 values + MS No 8)

Variety 5c Imperforate on three sides


1981 to 1985 - Year Twenty One to Twenty Five

23 May 1981
State Theatre, Pretoria (2 values + MS No 9)

30 May 1981
Republic Festival (2 values)
Varieties 20c State Theatre, imperforate to right margin
Miniature sheet, Imperforate - gold and brown omitted

12 June 1981
Deaf & Blind
Institutes Centenary
(2 values)

10 July 1981
National Cancer Association
27 February 1981
Amajuba Centenary
(2 values)

11 September 1981
Orchid Conference (4 values + MS No 10)

30 September 1981

Voortrekker
Anniversary
22 February 1982

Boy Scout 75th Anniversary
24 March 1982

Dr Koch
Centenary

2 April 1982
SA Navy Anniversary (4 values + MS No 11)

1 December 1982
Karoo Fossils
(4 values + MS No 12)

19 January
1983

Weather
Stations
(4 values)
No
Date
1981 - 1985 Commemoratives
Stamps
90
27.02.81
 Amajuba Centenary
2
91
23.05.81
 State Theatre, Pretoria + MS No 9
2 + 1
92
30.05.81
 Republic Festival
2
93
12.06.81
 Deaf & Blind Institutes Centenary
2
94
10.07.81
 National Cancer Association
1
95
11.09.81
 Orchid Conference + MS No 10
4 + 1
96
30.09.81
 Voortrekker Anniversary
1
97
22.02.82
 Boy Scout 75th Anniversary
1
98
24.03.82
 Dr Koch Centenary
1
99
02.04.82
 SA Navy Anniversary + MS No 11
4 + 1
100
01.12.82
 Karoo Fossils + MS No 12
4 + 1
101
19.01.83
 Weather Stations
4
102
27.04.83
 Steam Locomotives
4
 
No
Date
Commemorative Issues
Stamps
103
20.07.83
 SA Sport Activities
4
104
12.10.83
 SA Beaches + MS No 13
4 + 1
105
24.02.84
 SA Authors
4
106
08.06.84
 Strategic Minerals
4
107
24.08.84
 SA Bridges
4
108
03.09.84
 New Constitution 11c x 2 Se-tenant pair
4
109
02.11.84
 President Botha - New size 25 x 33.5 mm
2
110
09.11.84
 Military Orders + MS No 14
4 + 1
111
22.02.85
 Frans Oerder Paintings + MS No 15
4 + 1
112
15.05.85
 Cape Parliament
4
113
23.08.85
 Floral Emigrants
4
114
05.11.85
 Cape Silver
4
 
4 + 1 = 4 Stamps plus a Miniature sheet
27 April
1983

Steam Locomotives
(4 values)
20 July 1983

SA Sport Activities
(4 values)

12 October 1983
SA Beaches (4 values + MS No 13)


MS also exists on non-fluorescent paper

24 February 1984

SA Authors
(4 values)
8 June
1984

Strategic Minerals
(4 values)
24 August
1984

SA Bridges
(4 values)
3 September 1984

New Constitution
11c x 2 se-tenant
(4 values)
2 November 1984
President Botha (2 values) - New size 25 x 33.5 mm
9 November 1984
Military Orders 4 values + MS No 14
22 February 1985

Frans Oerder
Paintings
4 values + MS No 15
15 May 1985

Cape Parliament
(4 values)

Variety
50c Black omitted
23 August 1985

Floral Emigrants
(4 values)
5 November 1985

Cape Silver
(4 values)
1986 to 1990 - Year Twenty Six to Thirty

20 February 1986

Donate Blood
(4 values)

Variety 12c Black inscription omitted
30 May 1986
25th Anniversary of Republic
Se-tennant Pair
14 August 1986
Restoration of Buildings (4 values)
25 September 1986
Golden City (4 values) - The 30c was used for the first Philatelic Foundation sheet

20 November 1986

Scenic Beauty
Landscapes
(4 values)


6 March 1987

SA Beetles
(4 values)


4 June 1987

Rock Paintings
(4 values)
3 September 1987
Paarl Tercentenary (4 values) The 30c was used for the second Philatelic Foundation sheet
19 November 1987
Bible Society + 40c unissued stamp (4 values)
16c Bible Society is an oversized design 53 x 32.5 mm and the unissued 40c is available mint in a fair quantity, is known on FDC and Maxi Card and it is very rare commercially used. I have owned a single and a pair on piece.
40 Cent Bible unissued corner marginal pair

40c on piece commercially used at HOLDINGS 17 XI 87
Two days prior to issued date

3 February 1988

Dias
Discovery of the Cape
(4 values)
50c used for 3rd Philatelic Foundation sheet

13 April 1988

French Huguenots Tercentenary
(4 values)

9 June 1988
Lighthouses (4 values + MS No 16)

Map of
Great Trek Routes
Exodus

A Tapestry by
W.H. Coetzer
Crossing the Drakensberg

A Tapestry by
W.H. Coetzer
21 November 1988

150th Anniversary of the
Great Trek
(4 values)

9 February 1989

Coelacanth
(4 values)

50c used for 4th Philatelic Foundation sheet
3 May
1989

National Grazing
(4 values)
22 June
1989

SA Rugby Centenary
(4 values)

3 August 1989
Pierneef Paintings (4 values + MS No 17)

No
Date
1986 - 1990 Commemoratives
Stamps
115
20.02.86
 Donate Blood
4
116
30.05.86
 25th Anniversary of Republic Se-tenant pair
2
117
14.08.86
 Restoration of Buildings
4
118
25.09.86
 Golden City - 1st Foundation sheet
4
119
20.11.86
 Scenic Beauty - Landscapes
4
120
06.03.87
 SA Beetles
4
121
04.06.87
 Rock Paintings
4
122
03.09.87
 Paarl Tercentenary
4
123
19.11.87
 Bible Society + 40c unissued stamp
3
124
03.02.88
 Dias Discovery of the Cape
4
125
13.04.88
 French Huguenots Tercentenary
4
126
09.06.88
 Lighthouses + MS No 16
4 + 1
     
 
No
Date
Commemorative Issues
Stamps
127
21.11.88
 Great Trek 150th Anniversary
4
128
09.02.89
 Coelacanth
4
129
03.05.89
 National Grazing
4
130
22.06.89
 SA Rugby Centenary
4
131
03.08.89
 Pierneef Paintings + MS No 17
4 + 1
132
20.09.89
 President F.W. de Klerk
2
133
19.10.89
 SA Energy Sources
4
134
15.02.90
 SA Co-operation + MS No 18
4 + 1
135
12.05.90
 National Stamp Day Se-tenant strip
5
136
02.08.90
 SA Birds
4
137
01.11.90
 SA Tourism Se-tenant block
4
138
06.12.90
 National Orders Se-tenant strip + MS No 19
5 + 1
   
4 + 1 = 4 Stamps plus a Miniature sheet
  
19 October
1989

SA Energy Sources
(4 values)
20 September 1989
President F.W. de Klerk (2 values)
15 February 1990
SA Co-operation (4 values + MS No 18)

1 November
1990

SA Tourism
Se-tenant block
12 May 1990

National Stamp Day
Se-tenant strip of five
2 August 1990

SA Birds
(4 values)

50c used for 5th Philatelic Foundation sheet
6 December 1990

National Orders Se-tenant + MS No 19
 
In 1990 there is a new post office gimmick, se-tenant strips of five
instead of sets of four starting with National Stamp Day.
Since the 1960's there has been a steady increase of the number of stamps per set, first it was two, then three, followed by four and the 1990 se-tenant strips raises the number to five.

The real explosion in the number of stamps issued was yet to come.
1961 to 1990 - The First 30 Years - a Summary
Year
Issues
Stamps
MS
Stamps
Total
Comments
1961 - 1965
11
17
-
-
17
 Five Single stamps plus 6 with two stamps per set
1966 - 1970
10
28
-
-
28
 One set with 4 pairs, mainly 2 stamps per issue and two with three stamps per set
1971 - 1975
27
45
1
4
49
 Seventeen single stamp issues and others either 2, 3 or 4 stamps per set - Introduction of MS
1976 - 1980
41
67
7
25
92
 Twenty six single stamp issues and others either 2, 3 or 4 stamps per set
1981 - 1985
25
78
7
26
104
 Four single stamp issues, 16 issues with 4 stamps per set and five with two stamps per set
1986 - 1990
24
93
4
17
110
 Nineteen issues with 4 stamps per set and two with 5 se-tenant stamps per strip
138
328
18
72
400
  
Commemoratives Part I - The First 30 Years 1961 - 1990

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