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This
display is an in depth study of the subject that Mike
divides into three: I Printed by De La Rue II Printed
locally in Bloemfontein III The V.R.I. overprints
The Postal Stationery cards were based on an 1870
Great Britain design and their earliest known local
use is 1 March 1884 (see image). Due to a shortage
of cards they were printed locally in 1889 by Borckenhagen
and Co. In 1891 the internal rate was reduced to ½d
and cards were surcharged locally. ½d cards
were not printed by D.L.R. until 1898. Many cards
are rare, in particular in used condition. Mike’s
collection includes a vast range of interesting examples
that includes a registered postcard, one sent to Brazil
and another to Norway with tax markings. Examples
used during the Boer War included Service Suspended.
In 1891 locally printed cards were
produced at the ½d rate and in 1892 for overseas
use. An essay for a 1½d card was included.
The 1900 British occupation had new cards with V.R.I.
overprint printed by Curling and Co., ready within
ten days and these included locally printed 1½d
cards. Mike’s display was well received and
appropriately includes a card written on 27 May 1900
being the last day of the Orange Free State and used
on the 28 May, the first day of the Orange River Colony
(see image). During the viewing of his display there
was quite a debate over some of the items, including
a card with three different T.P.O. markings.
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