RSC Annual Conference 2026

Rates:

Thursday £115 (single) £125 (double) – bed and breakfast

Friday £125 (single) £157 (double) – dinner, bed and breakfast

Saturday £145 (single) £190 (double) – dinner, bed and breakfast

Attendees will receive a light lunch on Friday and Saturday and tea and coffee at no extra cost

Book directly with the hotel – Molly Rudd sales@hi-kenilworth.com  or + 44 (0) 1926 514167

All members and their partners and visitors are most welcome. If you would like to present and/or attend or require further information, please contact:

Conference Programme Organiser: Narendhra Morar

narendhra.m123@gmail.com  +44 (0)7787 812663

The Draft Conference Programme appears below and the entries for the 2026 RSC Competitions will be placed on the RSC website from the beginning of 2026

www.rhodesianstudycircle.org.uk

​Conference Programme

Thursday 14 May, 2026

WORKSHOPS: GEOFF BRAKSPEAR

1400 – 1530: WORKSHOP 1 (90’) – MEMBERS ASK
1530 – 1600: Afternoon Tea
1600 – 1730: WORKSHOP 2 (90’) – PHILATELIC GEMS

Friday 15 May, 2026

0900 Dealers’ Tables open

Silent Displays

1100 – 1300: RSC Council Meeting (120’)
1300 – 1400: Lunch (60’) 
1300 -1400 Competitions: Single Sheet & Livermore
1400 –1500 Welcome & AGM
1500 – 1545: ADRIAN de BOURBON: RHODESIAN AIRMAILS 1925 to 193
1545 – 1630: MARK THOMAS: NORTHERN RHODESIAN CANCELLATIONSON THE PENNY DOUBLE HEAD.
1700-1745: ​NARENDHRA MORAR: SEMIOTICS, SOUTHERN RHODESIA & THE SECOND WORLD WAR.
Informal Dinner
​Saturday, 16 May, 2026

0930 – 1010: PAT FLANAGAN: A CAST OF CHARACTERS: THE EARLY DAYS OF RHODESIA – SNAPSHOTS OF OATES, BAINES, LIVINGSTONE, PUZEY(S), SELOUS AND A FEW OTHERS.

1010 – 1020: Memoirs Launch​: GEOFF BRAKSPEAR: QUITRENTS OF SOUTHERN RHODESIA,1894 to 1934 andSEAN BURKE & TONY BANKS: SKELETON/RELIEF CANCELSOF SOUTHERN RHODESIA.

1020 – 1100: TONY BANKS: NYASALAND AND NORTHERN RHODESIACIRCULAR SKELETON CANCELS

1130 – 1215: OSCAR YOUNG: STANLEY GIBBONS 170th ANNIVERSARY: A PHILATELIC LEGACY

1215 – 1250: Auction – HUW WILLIAMS 

1415 – 1500: COLIN HOFFMAN: THE WATERLOW ARCHIVES – A REVIEW 

1500 – 1545: IAN CUBBIN: WHATEVER HAPPENED IN 1897?

1615 – 1700: COLIN FRASER: SOME POSTAL CARDS OF BRITISH CENTRAL AFRICA & NYASALAND

1700 – 1745: PANEL DISCUSSION: RSC: THE FUTURE – Chaired by PATRICK FLANAGANwith GEOFF BRAKSPEAR & NARENDHRA MORAR

Conference Dinner

Sunday 17 May, 2026

0930 – 1015: ADAM GOULDING: NORTHERN RHODESIABORDER MAIL: LIVING ON THE EDGE

1015 – 1100: GEOFF BRAKSPEAR: SOUTHERN RHODESIALARGE FALLS ISSUE, 1932 to 1953 

1130 – 1140: IAN MENZIES: ZIMBABWE’S POSTAL AGENCIES, 1980-2025

1140 – 1225: PAOLO GULIEMINETTI – TBC

1225 – 1300: AWARDS CEREMONY

CLOSING REMARKS BY CHAIRMAN

All are welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RSC Annual Conference 2025

2025 Rhodesian Study Circle Conference
Thursday 22 – Sunday 25 May, 2025
Holiday Inn, Kenilworth, Warwick

Presentations, Silent Displays, Workshops, Auction, Discussion Groups – Details, including the programme, will be updated on this website.

Rates:

  • Thursday: Bed & Breakfast – £115 (Single) – £125 (Double)
  • Friday: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast – £125 (Single) – £157 (Double) – Dinner will be a buffet with fruit and dessert.
  • Saturday: Dinner, Bed & Breakfast – £145 (Single) – £190 (Double) – Dinner will be a three course meal
  • A light lunch will be provided on Friday and Saturday at no extra charge
  • Tea or Coffee will be provided at the Conference and no extra charge

For Accommodation bookings contact: Molly Rudd sales@hi-kenilworth.com  or + 44 (0) 1926 514167

  • Zoom facilities will be available for most of the presentations and the AGM
  • Huw Williams will be organising a RSC Auction which will conclude at the Conference
  • Around five dealers will be present at the Conference.

Draft Programme:

Thursday Afternoon (22 May)

Two workshops

  • Member’s Ask chaired by Brian Trotter (UK)
  • Philatelic Gems chaired by Geoff Brakspear (UK)

Friday Morning (23 May)

Dealers tables open

Silent Displays:

  • Advertising Covers with Southern Rhodesia King George VI Definitives – Sean Burke (Australia)
  • Mardon Printers – Jeremy Jackman (UK)
  • Rhodesian Double Head PostmarksBrian Radcliffe (Isle of Man)
  • Verso Covers – Peter Hickman (UK)
  • The ½d Rhodesia Double Head used on Postcards – Sean Burke (Australia)

Friday Afternoon (23 May)

AGM and Presentations

Presentations:

  • Lt Edgar Alston – Ian Cubbin (UK)
  • The Centenary of the Northern Rhodesia Stamp issue 1 April, 1925 – 1 April, 2025 – Peter Hickman (UK)
  • Swiss Bethlehem Fathers – Mark Loomis (USA)

Informal Dinner

Saturday Morning and Afternoon (24 May)

Presentations:

  • The 1937 Southern Rhodesia KGVI Issue – Patrick Flanagan (South Africa)
  • National Heroes of Zimbabwe: Philately, Politics, and ‘Patriotic History’ – Narendhra Morar (UK)
  • Kafubu, yesterday and today – Ian Menzies (Switzerland)
  • The 2/- Light Blue Double Head – Colin Hoffman (UK)
  • Railway marks to 1950 – Tony Banks (UK)
  • BCA/Nyasaland Revenues – Colin Fraser (USA)

Conference Auction conducted by Huw Williams (UK)

A PowerPoint Presentation over lunch will feature the 2025 RSC Competition Entries

Panel Discussion – Why we collect, why the RSC? – chaired by Sean Burke (Australia)

Conference Dinner

Sunday Morning (25 May)

Presentations:

  • Early Settlers of British Central Africa – Stuart Ross (UK)
  • Salisbury/Harare – Development of a City in Postcards – Geoff Brakspear (UK)
  • Cecil John Rhodes – Ian Shapiro (UK)
  • Closing remarks from the Chairman

RSC 2025 Annual Competitions

In 2025, as we did in 2024, we run two RSC VIRTUAL competitions. These will be: The Livermore (16 sheets) and The Chairman’s Single Sheet. Entries are to be submitted to Sean Burke in pdf format by 3 May. As he receives them,  he will place them on the website for all to view. They will be judged prior to Conference and the winners will be announced at Conference. A Power Point Presentation of the entries will be shown during the Conference. 2025 Entries. 

All are most welcome – Members, partners and visitors

Conference Organiser: Narendhra Morar narendhra.m123@gmail.com

Link to join the Conference via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/fwUSXF74SA-XaiYwrociQQ

Rhodesian Study Circle Conference 2023

75th RSC Anniversary Conference & AGM

The Strawberry Bank Hotel, Meriden, United Kingdom

21-23 April, 2023

Images from 2023 Conference

Organising Committee

 

  • Conference Logistics – bookings, reservations, catering etc. – Dirk Kind
  • Conference Programme of Presentations – Narendhra Morar
  • Conference IT – Mike Hoffman
  • Conference Competitions – Nick Guy (Conference) and Sean Burke (Virtual)
  • MC – Narendhra Morar & Dirk Kind

 

Board & Accommodation

 

  • The Committee have reserved a number of larger rooms at the Strawberry Bank Hotel. Provision has been made for a number of ground floor rooms for those who prefer not to use stairs.
  • Accommodation plus full English breakfast per day included (£79 single occupancy, £89 double)
  • Friday (Buffet) – £15.95; Dinner (Saturday) – £28 (Three course meal)
  • A light lunch will be provided for all at the Conference on Friday and Saturday at no extra charge.
  • Morning and afternoon tea will be provided at the Conference

The Programme

Thursday, 20 April 2023

PM – Informal workshops and gatherings:

  • John Knight, Mark Thomas and Sean Burke – The Plating and Positioning of the 1d Double Head

Informal Dinner

Friday, 21 April 2023

0900 – Dealers’ tables open

Silent Displays

  • Dave Trathen – The Golden Jubilee of Parliament in Rhodesia: The Story of the Commemorative Cover and the Cachet
  • Andrew Wilson –Rhodesia Admirals (TBC)
  • Jeremy Jackman – 1905 Victoria Falls Issue

1100 -1300 – RSC Council Meeting

1200 -1330 – Lunch

1330 – 1430 – Welcome and the AGM – MC & Chairman of RSC

1430 – 1510 – Colin Hoffman & Sean Burke – 75 Years of the RSC – Part 1

1510 -1550 – Adrian de Bourbon – 100 Years of Remainders

1550 -1620 – Tea Break

1620 -1655 – Brian Trotter – The Philatelic Narrative of the Rhodesias & Nyasaland from 1923

1655 -1730 – Stuart Ross – Nyasaland/Malawi (TBC)

1730 -1800 – Mark Thomas – David Livingstone 150th Anniversary of his death

1800 -1815 – Ian Shapiro – More on David Livingstone

1900 – Friday Dinner – Colin Hoffman & Sean Burke – 75 Years of the RSC – Part II

 

Saturday, 22 April 2023

0900 – 0935 – Dirk Kind – Rhodes’ Centenary (TBC)

0935 – 1010 – Ian Menzies – Luanshya: A Tale of Copper, Labour Relations, Politics and People

1010 – 1040 – Morning Tea

1040 – 1115 – Narendhra Morar – Bringing the Empire Alive: Art, Ideology and Tobacco

1115 – 1150 – Patrick Flanagan – Essays, Plate Proofs & Die Proofs of the Federation of Rhodesia & Nyasaland

1150 – 1225 –  Tony Banks – The Elephant and Giraffe Stamps of Northern Rhodesia and their use as Revenues

1225 – 1300 – QUIZ

1300 – 1415 – Lunch

1415 – 1450 – Geoff Brakspear – Rhodesia Railways Parcels Stamps

1450 – 1525 – Rob Burrett – Zimbabwe 2020 Flight Anniversary Issue (Virtual)

1525 – 1555 – Afternoon Tea

1555 – 1630 – Mike Hoffman, Sean Burke & Dirk Kind – The RSC Online in 2023

1630 – 1700 – Quiz Answers

1700 – 1735 – David Spivack – The Bechuanaland Unappropriated Die Issues (Virtual)

1735 – 1750 – Livermore and Single Sheet Competition (There will be a short 15-minute presentation on the Virtual entries; the entries will remain up for viewing during the dinner)

1930 – Conference Dinner – Derek Lambert, incoming President of the RSC.

 

Sunday, 23 April 2023

0900 – 0935 – Peter Gorton – Nyasaland Cheque Stamps

0935 – 1010 – Peter Hickman – President Emeritus’ Postal History Selection

1010 – 1045 – Adam Goulding – A Philatelic Journey Along the Great North Road (Virtual)

1045 – 1110 – Morning Tea

1110 – 1145 – Colin Hoffman – The 1893 Ndebele War

1145 – 1215 – Announcement of the winners of the Livermore and Single Sheet Competitions (Virtual and at the Conference), the winner of the RSC Quiz and the Nodder /Hamilton Prize for the best presentation at the Conference.

1215 – Conference Close – Chairman of RSC.

 

RSC Competitions 2023 

 

  • There will be changes in 2023. We are folding the Postcard Competition (16 sheets) into the Livermore Competition (16 sheets) and will continue with the Single Sheet Competition. In addition, we shall run two sections within each competition – one virtual for those not present at the Conference.
  • Thus we will have two Livermore Competitions – one for those present at the Conference and another, a virtual one, for those not present. The same format will apply to the Single Sheet Competition – one for those and the Conference and the other virtual.
  • Members can submit as many entries as they like in each category.
  • All virtual entries must be submitted to Sean Burke by the 14 April and will be placed on the website. The rules for the Livermore, Postcard and Single Sheet competitions remain the same as in 2022 and are on the website.
  • It would be helpful if all those planning to enter at the Conference let Nick Guy know beforehand as this helps with logistics.
  • As this is a special anniversary, we urge as many members as possible to at least submit an entry for the Single Sheet Competition. Sharing is at the heart of our Circle.
  • Submitted Entries for 2023. 

 

Dealers

 

As in previous years, there will be a number of dealers in attendance. The breadth and depth of material at the 2022 Conference was welcomed by those in attendance. To date, we have four confirmed. The Dealers’ tables will be available from 9.00am on the Friday morning and most of the morning has been set aside for trade. Please remember that the dealers will not operate during the various presentations but will be open during breaks etc.

 

Additional reminders:

 

  • Members will be able to ‘attend’ the various presentations via Zoom. Please register here: Zoom Registration or contact Mike Hoffman for access.
  • The Organisers are also holding a Quiz at the Conference. There will be prizes for the winners.
  • The 2023 RSC AGM will be held on the Friday (21 April) prior to the start of the Conference. Again, members will be able to attend in person and via Zoom.
  • Updates to the Conference Programme or arrangements will be periodically made on the website.
  • Should you wish to organise an informal workshop on the Thursday (20 April) prior to the Conference, please contact Narendhra Morar.
  • It is very important to let Dirk Kind know as soon as possible as to your attendance.

 

All members, their partners and visitors are most welcome

1980 – Opening of the First Parliament of Zimbabwe

Opening of the First Parliament of Zimbabwe

14 May 1980

On 14 May 1980, the first Zimbabwe Parliament was opened by President Cannan S Banana with Prime Minister Robert Mugabe.

The President outlined the objectives of the new government, the scrapping of laws based on racial discrimination and plans to improve the life of the country’s poor. The country would be non-aligned and seek friendly co-existence with its neighbours.

He also addressed the assurance that European farmers would not be chased off their lands but maintained that a land resettlement programme would be launched.

Commemorative Covers

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Rhodesian Study Circle: 2021 Annual Conference

Rhodesian Study Circle 2021 Annual Conference and AGM

Due to the ongoing restrictions associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been decided to hold a Virtual Conference in 2021. The success of our many virtual meetings in 2020 has provided us with the encouragement to plan and deliver such a venture. The programme will be designed to flow across various time zones to allow as wide a participation as possible from our membership spread across the world.  

  • The Conference is open to all and we hope that as many members as possible will be able to join some or all of the sessions.
  • Running concurrently with the Conference will be our Livermore and Postcard Exhibit competitions along with a Single Sheet Competition. These, as in 2020, will be Virtual competitions and all entries will be up on the website prior to the start of the Conference. The results will be announced at the Conference.
  • At the start of the Conference we will hold our annual AGM. Reports will be available beforehand.

 

News from the AGM and Conference

 

Announced at the AGM: Rhodesian Study Circle Awards 2021

At the AGM held on 23 April, 2021, the Chairman of the RSC, Patrick Flanagan, announced that the Council, after receiving advice from the Awards Committee and further deliberations, was delighted to announce the following awards:

  • H. C. Dann Trophy (for the best publication in the previous two years) to Sean Burke (Australia), Bob Gibbs (USA) and Arnie Brickman (USA) for Memoir 34: Postmarks on the 1910-1913 Double Head Issue – Paradise Revisited
  • Alan Drysdall Award (for the best article in the Journal over previous two years) to Ian Menzies (Switzerland) for Alfred Bertrand 1856-1924, Geneva explorer, adventurer and philanthropist; (RSCJ 280/278-82)
  • The Simpson Salver (for services to RSC) to Bob Gibbs (USA)
  • The Plato Mavros Trophy (for services to Rhodesia and Nyasaland philately) to Andrew Wilson (UK)
  • The Editor’s Prizes: Rob Burrett (Zimbabwe) and Peter Wingent (UK)
  • *The Chairman’s Awards for Virtual Presentations in 2020: Alan Rendle (UK), Dirk Kind (UK), Mark Thomas (UK), Adam Goulding (Australia), Narendhra Morar (UK), Colin Fraser (USA), Simon Hensman (USA).

The Council are delighted to announce the appointment of the following as Fellows of the Rhodesian Study Circle:

Mark Loomis (USA)

David Parsons (UK)

Walter Herdzik (Canada)

The Council are delighted to announce the appointment of the following as an Hon Life Member:

Jack Joyce (Canada)

*A new award flowing out of the COVID-19 conditions.

CONFERENCE NEWS

Session 1 – Friday 23 April

 

Over 110 members and guests  registered for the Conference. Members come and go according to interests and time zones.

For the first session, 71  members and guests joined the Conference.

Session 2 – Saturday 24 April

For the second session, 75  members and guests joined the Conference.

Session 3 – Saturday 24 April

For the third session, 70  members and guests joined the Conference.

Session 4 – Saturday 24 April

For the last session, 70 members and guests joined the Conference.

At the conclusion of the Conference the results of the Virtual Competitions were announced:

  • The Livermore Trophy to George Stewart from New Zealand.
  • The Postcard Competition to Sean Burke from Australia.
  • The Single Sheet Competition to Adrian de Bourbon from the UK.

The Judges also announce the winner of the Nodder and Hamilton Trophy for the best presentation at Conference to Brian Eyre from South Africa.

 

RSC Virtual AGM & Conference Programme

 

 Friday 23 April (Moderator: Sean Burke)

8.00-11.45pm London

9.00pm-12.45am (Cape Town/Paris/Harare)

12.00-3.45pm San Francisco (23 April)

3.00pm-6.45pm New York (23 April)

5.00-8.45am Melbourne (24 April)

 

8.00 – 8.45pm (London)

Welcome and address by the Chair (Patrick Flanagan {South Africa})

RSC 2021 AGM

  • Acceptances of 2020 Reports (Previously circulated)
  • Acceptance of 2020 Accounts (Previously circulated)
  • Office Bearers for 2021
  • Subscriptions for 2021/2022

Announcement of Awards

  • C. Dann Trophy (for the best publication in the previous two years)
  • Alan Drysdall Award (for the best article in the Journal over previous two years)
  • The Simpson Salver (for services to RSC)
  • The Plato Mavros Trophy (for services to Rhodesia and Nyasaland philately)
  • The Editor’s Prizes

Announcement of new Fellows of the RSC

8.45pm

The Journey of a Pioneer. (Dirk Kind {UK}) A presentation based upon two large photo albums in his possession from his great-great-uncle, William Harvey Brown, who became a Pioneer and wrote On the South African Frontier.

9.15pm

Three new Rhodesia-related publications in 2021:

  • Rhodesian Philately to 1924 – The British South Africa Company Period by Brian Trotter, Colin Hoffman and Patrick Flanagan – a RPSL publication (Brian Trotter {UK})
  • The British South Africa Company King George V Admiral Stamps 1913-1924 by David Spivack and Stephen Reah-Johnson – a RPSL publication  (David Spivack {USA})
  • Memoir 30: The postal history of the Paris Missionary Society in Barotseland 1884-1924: the people, the place and the time by Sean Burke, Paul Peggie and Patrick Flanagan (Sean Burke {Australia})

 

 

10.15pm

Buying and selling at auction at a time of lockdown (Ian Shapiro {UK} from Spink)

10.45pm

Independence Forgeries: a mystery solved (Dave Trathen {UK})

11.15pm

The Cancellation Types of Zambia (Mark Thomas {UK})

Saturday 24 April

(Moderators Adrian de Bourbon {am} and Brian Trotter {pm})

9.30am-1.00pm & 8.00-11.00pm (London)

10.30am-2.00pm & 9.00pm-12.00am (Cape Town/Paris/Harare)

1.30-5.00am & 12.00noon-3.00pm (San Francisco)

4.30-8.00am & 3.00-6.00pm (New York)

6.30-10.00pm & 5.00-8.00am (Melbourne)

 

9.30am (London)

Early Rhodesian airmails (Keith Harrop {UK})

10.00am

The BCA Provincials of 1898 (Mark Ladd {UK} and Brian Coop {UK})

10.30am

On Postmarks:

  • Postmarks on pre-Double Head issues – (Huw Williams {UK},
  • Making the Dumb Speak: The-background to the Mutilated Cancels of Northern-Rhodesia (Adam Goulding {Australia})

11.00am

A call to Arms (Colin Hoffman {UK})

11.30am

Research & Social History:

  • Since Discovered (Anita McCullough {UK}),
  • Tracking them down: Exploring Zimbabwe in Search of Geographical Postal History (Rob Burrett {Zimbabwe}),
  • What’s in a Name” The background to name changes in NR and Zambian Post Offices (Adam Goulding {Australia}}

12.00noon

Malawi; keeping up with the neighbours (Stuart Ross {UK})

12.30pm

ForgeriesSimon Hensman {USA}

12.45pm

Members Ask

8.00pm

Revenues:

  • Large format Revenue Stamps of the BSAC (Adrian de Bourbon {UK}), 
  • Inspection Certificates (Christopher Cooksey {UK})

8.30pm

 The Nyasaland 1934 Leopard issue (SG 114-122) (Colin Fraser {USA})

9.00pm 

From the Limpopo to the Zambezi: History, Politics and Ideology in 101 Stamps and Covers. (Narendhra Morar {UK}) This presentation will showcase excerpts of a much larger piece of work that he is undertaking on the history and politics of Zimbabwe, from earliest times to the present, as refracted through the prism of its stamps and postal history. 

9.30pm

Southern Rhodesia Postal Stationery – archival material, the issued material and usage (Patrick Flanagan {South Africa})

10.00pm

Mission Mail:

  • Some missionary postcards from Catholic Missions in Southern Rhodesia (Mark Loomis {USA}),
  • John and Helen Springer, Methodist missionaries in Central Africa (Paul Peggie {Australia}).

Sunday 25 April (Moderator David Spivack)

8.00-11.00pm (London)

9.00pm-12.00am (Cape Town/Paris/Harare)

12.00noon-3.00pm San Francisco

3.00pm-6.00pm New York

5.00-8.00am Melbourne (26 April)

 

8.00pm (London)

The Kariba Dam – 60 years on (Jono Waters {Zimbabwe})

8.20pm

Noel Brettell, ‘Poet who shied away from any sort of limelight’ (Ian Menzies {Switzerland}) See article here

8.40pm

Some philatelic aspects of what is now the University of Zimbabwe  (Hugh Amoore {South Africa})

9.00pm

To dream the impossible dream – updating the SG listing on the Double Head Issue (Sean Burke {Australia}, David Spivack {USA}, Colin Hoffman {UK})

9.30pm

Southern Rhodesia: The last two issues of coil stamps; the Harrison printings. (Brian Eyre {South Africa})

10.00 pm

Encyclopaedia of the Federation of Rhodesia & Nyasaland (Geoff Brakspear {UK}}

10.15pm 

Postmark Cancel Errors on Cover – Northern Rhodesia & Zambia (Walter Herdzik {Canada})

10.30pm

  • The Judges of the Virtual Competitions for 2021.
  • The best presentation at Conference

10.50pm

Closing Address from Chairman

 

RSC Conference Q&A

 

There is a time set aside at the Conference for a short Question & Answer session. If you wish to participate, please forward your question with a relative scan to the Conference Organiser Adrian de Bourbon. His email address can be found in the Journal or

RSC Virtual Competitions 2021

 

As in 2020, we will hold a virtual competition for our annual Livermore and Postcard Competitions. The rules for these competitions are available on the RSC website.

 

 

1874 – Cape to Cairo Railway

Cape to Cairo Railway

 

The Cape to Cairo Railway is an uncompleted project to cross Africa from south to north by rail. The original proposal for a Cape to Cairo railway was made in 1874 by Edwin Arnold, which was joint sponsor of the expedition by H.M. Stanley to Africa to discover the course of the Congo River. The proposed route involved a mixture of railway and river transport between Elizabethville, now Lubumbashi in the Belgian Congo and Sennar in the Sudan rather than a completely rail one.

Imperialist and entrepreneur Cecil Rhodes was instrumental in securing the southern states of the continent for the British Empire and envisioned a continuous “red line” of British dominions from north to south. A railway would be a critical element in this scheme to unify the possessions, facilitate governance, enable the military to move quickly to hot spots or conduct war, help settlement and enable intra- and extra-continental goods trade. The construction of this project presented a major technological challenge.

British interests had to overcome obstacles of geography and climate, and the competing imperial schemes of the French and Portuguese. In 1891, Germany secured the strategically critical territory of German East Africa, which along with the mountainous rainforest of the Belgian Congo precluded the building of a Cape-to-Cairo railway.

The southern section was completed during British rule before the First World War and has an interconnecting system of national railways. Construction started from Cape Town and went parallel to the Great North Road to Kimberley, through a part of Bechuanaland to Bulawayo. From this junction the link proceeds further north to the Zambezi crossing. The Victoria Falls Bridge was completed in 1905.

In 1916 during World War I British, British African, South African and Indian soldiers won the Tanganyika Territory from the Germans and after the war the British continued to rule the territory, which was a League of Nations mandate from 1922. The continuous line of colonies was complete. The British Empire possessed the political power to complete the Cape to Cairo Railway, but economics, including the Great Depression of the 1930s, prevented its completion before World War II. After World War II, the decolonisation of Africa and the establishment of independent countries removed the colonial rationale for the project and increased the project’s difficulty, effectively ending the project.

A new consortium is to be signed between Hitachi and JK Minerals Africa to resume mapping of the Cape to Cairo railway route in 2020.

Postcards

References

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Rhodesian Study Circle: Members Auction – March 2020

Rhodesian Study Circle

Members Auction – November 2020

The Rhodesian Study Circle March 2020 auction is now available. This auction is only available to members of the Rhodesian Study Circle. Not a member? Join now!

Details

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2020 – Great American Stamp Show

The Great American Stamp Show 2020 is being held at Hartford, Connecticut. It is co-hosted by the American Philatelic Society, the American Topical Association and the American First Day Cover Society. It is the largest national stamp and postal history show in the country.

Whether you are a new or experienced collector, the Great American Stamp Show packs four days of shopping, seminars, exhibits, education and fun for all ages. (Bring your most comfortable shoes, you will need them!)

The Great American Stamp Show brings together stamp collectors from all over the world to share their ideas on the future of the hobby, the chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones!

The free event is co-sponsored by the United States Postal Service. The USPS will also have a large retail presence offering a selection of current U.S. stamps for sale.

  • 75+ Dealers – Public Auction – Cachetmakers Bourse
  • 800+ Frames of Exhibits & Three of America’s Rarest Postal Items
  • 35+ Meetings & Seminar – On-the-Road Courses

Details

1982 – ZIMFARI ’82

ZIMFARI ’82

14-25 August 1982

In 1982, Zimbabwe hosted ZIMFARI 82′ in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of world Scouting. It was an international camp with Guides and Scouts coming from all over the world. The camp was held in various different places all over the country.

Among the countries represented were Canada, England, Finland, France, India, Israel, Kenya, Libya, N.Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland, Venezuela, Wales and Zimbabwe. The International Contingents were able to see Harare, Inyanga, Mutare, Great Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls.

Postmark

Commemorative Covers

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