Southern Rhodesia: General Post Office – T.4 (34038)
Southern Rhodesia
General Post Office
Details
- Date of Issue: 12 January 1939
- Dept: General Post Office
- Order No.: 34038
- Printer: Government Printing Office
- Quantity: 2,000 Pads
Category: Post Office
Travelling Post Office: 1924 South Africa Parliamentary Tour
Travelling Post Office
1924 South Africa Parliamentary Tour
A special train was provided to the delegates of the 1924 South Africa Parliamentary Tour to act as their headquarters throughout the tour. The train also had a post office on board for use by the delegates.
Of note, the Australian delegation included the Postmaster-General of Australia.
Postmarks
A special postmark was available for the tour. The postmark was inscribed in both English and Afrikaans and coloured purple/violet.
5th October (Victoria Falls)
6th October (Victoria Falls)
7th October (Victoria Falls)
Travelling Post Office: 1935 Fifth Imperial Press Conference
Travelling Post Office
1935 Fifth Imperial Press Conference
A travelling post office was included on the South African Railways train that took Imperial Press Union delegates on a trip through southern Africa.
The two postmasters were seconded by the Rhodesian Government for the Rhodesian-leg of the journey.
Postmarks
-
- Southern Rhodesia Cancellation
-
- South Africa Cancellation
A special postmark was available on the Southern Rhodesia leg of the journey between 14th-17th February (Salisbury). However, postmark dates exist from the 12th to the 20th.
South Africa also had a special postmark, as shown above.
Covers
Post Office: 1963 World Tobacco Congress
Post Office
1963 World Tobacco Congress
Between 18th-26th February, 1963, a post office was opened at the University of Rhodesia & Nyasaland. Covers posted at the post office received a special postmark.
Postmarks
-
- Black
-
- Purple
A special postmark was utilised during the congresses. These are most commonly seen in black. However, a purple version can be found on covers from the Copperbelt Philatelic Society.
References
- Journal of the Rhodesian Study Circle No.48
Telegraph Form: Greetings Telegram (Z)
Government Stationery: 17987
Government Stationery:
17987
Details
- Date of Issue: 8th February, 1965
- Dept:
- Reqn.: 17987
- Printer: Government Printing & Stationery
- Paper:
- Quantity: 3,000
British South Africa Company: Department of Posts & Telegraphs – 247
British South Africa Company
Department of Posts & Telegraphs – 247
Details
- Date of Issue: 1921
- Dept: Posts & Telegraphs
- Order No.: 247
- Printer:
- Paper:
- Quantity: 5,000
Ministry of Posts: Philatelic Bureau Bulletin No.1 of 1967
Travelling Post Office: 1925 Royal Tour
Travelling Post Office
1925 Royal Tour
The Royal Train had its own Post Office, situated within a travelling post office van attached to a pilot train that kept ahead of the Royal Train by around 30 minutes. The post office was open 24 hours per day.
Approximately 9,000 articles (including Official Mail) were handled by the office, averaging 100 articles per day.
Postal Staff
- C J Swift – Postmaster (Rhodesia)
- Mr Harpham – Assistant
- Mr Murrell – Assistant
- Mr Cripham – Assistant
Postmarks
All mail on the Royal Train within was cancelled with the same canceller, no matter the country. The canceller was engraved by the Royal Mint.
A purple cachet was also applied in Southern Rhodesia between 3rd July and 16th July.
Philatelic Items
Nil Desperandum Mine
Nil Desperandum Mine
Shabani District
Residential township eight miles from Bulawayo.
Post Office
History
- 1930.02.17 – Opened as postal agency under Shabani (later Gwelo).
Service
- 1939.00.00 – Mail service by cyclist from Shabani.
Postmarks
-
- D2
-
- D4
| Type | Size | Earliest Date | Latest Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D2 | 23/11/1930 | 17/08/1938 | ||
| D4 | 13/11/1939 | 01/09/1958 |