Collect Southern Africa

Republic of South Africa

Commemoratives Part II - The Fourth Decade 1991 - 2000
By Otto Peetoom

1991 - 1995 More & more stamps!
This period starts with a set of four issued on 30 May 1991 and combines two events, the 30th Anniversary of the Republic plus Scientific and Technological Achievements.

The designs reflect the latter and the 30th Anniversary is somehow lost; it seems a pity as no further issue celebrates subsequent anniversaries.

Same Value Se-tenant Stamps out of Control
In July 1992 a 35c ten stamp sheetlet was used depicting Cape Furniture. Next the Post Office dropped a bomb shell with their 1993 Aviation sheetlet, a 25 x 45c stamp unit and more in number than the definitive sets.

It did not stop there as they also appeared in booklets with ten stamps; three different variations of the cover increased the count to 30. There are ten numbered settings, thus the specialist had to buy thirty booklets containing 300 stamps.

Wall-paper Stamps - During the 1950’s and 60’s, as a schoolboy collector, it was a rare treat to obtain a SA new issue. At that time several Foreign countries produced floods of large colourful commemoratives which abounded in junior ‘Stamp Packets’. We dubbed them as being Wall-paper stamps and I never imagined that the same title could one day be applied to commemoratives issued in South Africa.

As if big was not large enough, Philatelic services went over the top with the 1994 Child Art, five awful looking stamps measuring
50 x 33.5 mm and the first set of RSA Wall-paper stamps!

In my opinion the above set is the most unattractive RSA set issued.

Sizes of Designs The same format as the Child Art was used for the
1994 Stamp Day and 1995 Aviation.

1995 Rugby

Another large rectangular stamp used for two values of the 1990
Co-operation set was again adopted for the 1995 Tourism series and the top value of the 1995 Rugby.

Protest from the Public - The Philatelic Federation met with the Post Office on 27 July 1995 and it is noted - Stamp sizes will be standardised on three formats. The large size of recent years is unpopular (SAP October 1995 page 153).

 

Further Exploitation
The 1992 introduction of a sheetlet of ten became more frequent by 1996. Also another habit was to issue more than one set on the same day.

Miniature Sheets A Change of Policy
The last MS that replicated a complete set of stamps is the 1994 Tugboats (MS No 23). The 1995 Rugby and Gandhi issue only include one stamp from each set.
In between these two is another single perforated stamp contained in a MS being the 1995 Singapore Exhibition and it was not available as a single.


1995 Singapore Exhibition
This, ‘one stamp’ MS trend, became a regular policy during the 4th decade with a few exceptions. On 19.10.95 an imperforate MS included an enlarged image of a Native Mail Runner issued as a single stamp on 9.10.95.
This MS trend was prolific during 1995 to 2000, twenty nine were issued and only one issue included two stamps being the 1998 ILSAPEX MS.
During the next ten years 58 MS were issued.

Mail Runner

A Change at Philatelic Services
Franco Frescura was appointed as Head of Philatelic services on 1 October 1994 and his predecessor, Herman Steyn, retired in April 1995.
Frescura shot himself in the foot when a letter from him was published in the April 1996 edition of The South African Philatelist.

Frescura intended to take SA Philately by storm and made an unfortunate comment...I think it is about time that the blind old men of South African Philately who seem to be hell-bent on taking the hobby to the grave with them should have the good grace to realise their time has gone...

Letters of protest and indignation followed and appeared in every subsequent SAP during 1996. His appointment as head of Philatelic services lasted until 31 March 1999 and he was a consultant to the post office from 2000 to 2004.

The Straw that broke the Camel’s back
Whilst Frescura informed all those who cared to listen what a wonderful job he was doing for SA philately, the reality is that many collectors drew a line under their RSA collections and dealers stopped buying RSA new issues.

Many designs are only obtainable as miniature sheets or in booklets.
Whilst the Philatelic Marketing Machine purports to sell stamps for postage, their stream of colourful confetti is not intended for such a purpose.
Try placing one of the giant MS or sheetlets on an envelope.

 
1991 to 1995 - Year Thirty One to Thirty Five
21 February 1991
Breeding Animals (Se-tenant strip of 5)
30 September 1991
Republic Anniversary - Achievements (4 values)
15 August 1991

SRN and Midwives
1 October 1991

TELKOM Established
Se-tenant pair
5 December 1991
30th Anniversary of Antarctic Treaty (2 values)

9 October 1991

SA Scientists
(4 values
)

6 February 1992

Conservation
(3 values
)
9 May 1992

National Stamp Day
Se-tenant strip of 5
9 July 1992

Cape Furniture
Se-tenant sheetlet of 10

Variety
Right side Imperforate

 

24 September 1992

Sport

6 values + MS
No 20

8 October 1992
van Wouw (sculptor) 4 values + MS No 21

28 January 1993

SA Harbours
5 values + MS No 22
7 May 1993

Aviation
- Se-tenant sheetlet of 25

Also made up in booklets in panes of ten

There are three types of covers

First version
Boxed Postage Rates on inside front cover and a boxed message on the reverse advising availability at supermarkets, stationers, pharmacies, cafés and garages.

Second version As above, but inside cover blank

Third Version Postage Rates on inside front (not boxed) and a boxed Savings Bank Certificates advert on the back cover

1993 Aviation sheetlet
The Post Office dropped a bomb shell with a 25 stamp unit, more in number than the definitive sets.

It did not stop there as they also appeared in booklets with ten stamps; three different variations of the cover increased the count to 30.

There are ten numbered settings, thus the specialist had to buy thirty booklets containing 300 stamps. Setting No 5 illustrated at right.

8 October 1993

National Stamp Day
(4 values
)

1993 Tourism - The Issue plus the Booklets
12 November 1993
Tourism in a se-tenant strip of 5
Issued stamps - Value in left margin
Booklets - Satour symbol (Protea) in left margin
Booklets - This issue was also made up into booklets, each with a pane of ten stamps (2 strips)
Five different covers were used
1.
Lioness and cubs drinking 2. Luxury hotel, the Beacon Isle at Plettenburg Bay
3.
A view of Table Mountain 4. The Blue Train 5. Namaqualand Flowers
Special Sheets of 100 stamps 5 x 20 with the satour emblem in the margin were printed for use in the Tourist Booklets (see above). The Lioness booklet was the first type in use at the Kruger National Park. They were not for sale at Post Offices, but specifically intend for use at Tourist Centre as the 85c paid an Airmail Postcard Rate to Europe. The booklets were marketed by Leisure Stamps of Horison.

On 1 April 1995 the postage rate increased from 85c to 90c and an additional ten 5c stamps were added to the inside front cover, either a 5c Succulent or 5c Lizard definitive was used. An additional white label was stuck onto the front cover, see illustration below at left.

These booklets proved popular and stocks were soon depleted and more booklets were ordered. By then the Post Office had used all their booklet stamps with the satour logo and resorted to the normal stamps, printed in sheets of 25 with a value indicator in the margin. The first row was removed and two panes of ten were taken from rows 2 to 5, value indicators are either 3.40 - 2.55 (ex R2/3) or 1.70 - .85 (ex R4/5) - See illustration above.

On 1 April 1996 the International Postcard rate increased from 90c to R1 and booklets were re-valued again by adding another strip of ten x 10c Tortoise definitives, the 90c on the added label on the front cover was a altered in manuscript. The second re-valued booklets were only sold at Pretorius Kop rest camp in the Kruger Park and only known in three of the booklets being Beacon Isle Hotel, Table Mountain (see illustration bottom right) and the Blue Train.
Approximately 280 booklets were re-valued for a second time.

28 January 1994

Fruit Exports
(5 values
)
8 April 1994
Peace Campaign (4 values)
10 May 1994

President Mandela (4 values)

 

13 May 1994

Tugboats

5 values + MS
No 23

This was the last MS
which replicates the
set of stamps as issued

No
Date
1991 - 1994 Commemoratives
Stamps
139
21.02.91
Breeding Animals Se-tenant strip of 5
5
140
30.09.91
Republic Anniversary - Achievements
4
141
15.08.91
SRN and Midwives
1
142
01.10.91
TELKOM Established Se-tenant pair
2
143
09.10.91
SA Scientists
4
144
05.12.91
30th Anniversary of Antarctic Treaty
2
145
06.02.92
Conservation
3
146
09.05.92
National Stamp Day Se-tenant strip of 5
5
147
09.07.92
Cape Furniture Se-tenant sheetlet
10
148
24.07.92
Sports + MS 20
6
149
08.10.92
van Wouw (sculptor) + MS 21
4 + 1
     
 
No
Date
Commemorative Issues
Stamps
150
28.01.93
SA Harbours + MS 22
5 + 1
151
07.05.93
Aviation Se-tenant sheetlet
25
152
08.10.93
National Stamp Day
4
153
12.11.93
Tourism Se-tenant strip of 5
5
154
28.01.94
Fruit Exports
5
155
08.04.94
Peace Campaign
4
156
10.05.94
President Mandela
4
157
13.05.94
Tugboats + MS 23
5 + 1
158
01.07.94
Child Art Se-tenant strip 50 x 33.5 mm
5
159
30.09.94
National Stamp Day 50 x 33.5 mm
4
160
18.11.94
Heathers Se-tenant strip of 5
5
   
4 + 1 = 4 Stamps plus a Miniature sheet
 
18 November 1994

Heathers
Se-tenant strip of 5
1 July 1994
Child Art (Se-tenant strip of 5)
Introduction of the Largest Rectangular Stamp
As if big was not large enough, Philatelic services went over the top with the 1994 Child Art, five awful looking stamps measuring 50 x 33.5 mm and the first set of RSA Wall-paper stamps!

In my opinion this set is the most unattractive RSA set issued

30 September 1994
National Stamp Day (4 values)
1 February 1995
Flight Anniversary (2 values)
Is Big Better - Postage Stamp or Label?


18 January 1995

Tourism - Warthog
(one value
)






15 February 1995

Tourism - Lost City
(one value
)







28 April 1995

Tourism - Rhinoceros
(one value
)






12 May 1995
Tourism - Waterfront
(one value
)

30 June 1995
Tourism - Various
(Se-tenant strip of 5)
1995 Rugby World Cup - The Issue plus the Booklets
25 May 1995
Rugby World Cup - 3 values + MS No 24
The first MS that only includes one stamp from the set
Back cover of first Booklet with ten stamps
the same, see illustration above
Front Cover used for both Booklets
Back cover of second Booklet with ten se-tenant stamps the same, see illustration below
15 June 1995
50 Years CSIR

28 June 1995
Rugby Champions
(2 values
)
28 August 1995
Marine Science Centenary
16 September 1995
Papal Visit
2 October 1995
Gandhi Commemoration
2 values + MS No 26
1 September 1995
Singapore Exhibition MS 25-1

The first single perforated stamp contained in a MS
and not available as a single
Gandhi the second MS that only includes
one stamp from the set

Only one other MS was issued in 2001
which includes stamps from a set
No
Date
1995 Commemoratives
Stamps
161
18.01.95
Tourism - Warthog
1
162
01.02.95
Flight Anniversary 50 x 33.5 mm
2
163
15.02.95
Tourism - Lost City
1
164
28.04.95
Tourism - Rhinoceros
1
165
12.05.95
Tourism - Waterfront
1
166
25.05.95
Rugby World Cup + MS
3
    ditto MS 24 - One stamp from set
MS
167
15.06.95
50 Years CSIR
1
168
28.06.95
Rugby Champions
2
169
30.06.95
Tourism - Se-tenant strip of 5
5
170
28.08.95
Marine Science Centenary
1
 
No
Date
Commemorative Issues
Stamps
171
01.09.95
Singapore Exhibition MS 25-1
MS
172
16.09.95
Papal Visit
1
173
16.09.95
Masakhane Campaign
1
174
02.10.95
Gandhi Commemoration + MS
2
    ditto MS 26 - One stamp from set
MS
175
09.10.95
World Post Day
1
176
19.10.95
Total Stampex ‘95’ MS 27-2
MS
177
24.10.95
50 Years UN
1
178
24.10.95
50 Years UNESCO MS 28-3
MS
179
24.11.95
Sea Shells - Se-tenant strip of 5
5
MS = Single Stamp Miniature sheet

9 October 1995

World Post Day

16 September 1995
Masakhane Campaign (Large format)
24 October 1995
50 Years United Nations
Masakhane Booklets
First Version -
Issued 16.09.1995
Containing ten large format stamps
Illustrated above

Second Version -
Issued 1.12.1995
Containing ten small format stamps
Illustrated below


The same Front & Back Covers
used for both Booklets
On the inside front and back is a bilingual message what Maskhane means

Some booklets have English first and
others display Afrikaans first

First Version
- The Afrikaans heading
includes a mistake 'saan' instead of 'saam'

Second Version
(Small format)
Error corrected
1 December 1995
Masakhane Campaign
(Small format)
19 October 1995

Total Stampex 95
MS 27-2





24 October 1995

50 Years UNESCO
MS 28-3
The above is an imperforate MS depicting
an enlarged image of a Native Mail Runner
that was issued as a single stamp on 9.10.95
24 November 1995

Sea Shells
Se-tenant strip of 5
1996 to 2000 - Year Thirty Five to Forty
10 January 1996
Africa Cup Football Se-tenant strip of 5 + MS No 29
28 March 1996
Bloemfontein 150th Anniversary
8 February 1996
Football Champions
 
8 June 1996
Comrades Marathon
8 June 1996
CAPEX ‘96’ Exhibition MS No 32
1 June 1996

Sekoto (artist)
2 Values + MS No 31
8 June 1996
Youth Day
5 July 1996
Atlanta Olympics Se-tenant strip of 5 + 1
8 June 1996
CAPEX ‘96’ Exhibition MS 32
1 August 1996
New Constitution Se-tenant strip of 5
5 August 1996
Safmarine Se-tenant pairs + MS No 33
9 August 1996

Woman’s Day
9 October 1996
World Post Day
9 October 1996
Christmas
4 January 1997
100 Years of Motoring
1996 Christmas Booklet

Issued 9 October 1996

Containing a pane of ten stamps
Imperforate at top, right and bottom

Illustrated below
9 October 1996
Bloemfontein Exhibition MS No 34
4 November 1996
Nobel Laureates Se-tenant sheetlet of 10
12 February 1997
Hong Kong Exhibition MS 35
1 April 1997
SA Navy Anniversary Se-tenant block of 4
1997 Water Campaign Booklets
7 March 1997
Water Conservation
Se-tenant strip of 5


Pictorial Booklets Issued on
7 & 25 March
1997 Water
Campaign
Booklet

Three versions
are known
First version issued 7 March 1997 - Containing a pane of ten stamps
Imperforate at top, right and bottom with eliptical perforations - Illustrated above

Second version issued 25 March 1997
The pane of ten with normal Perforations - Illustrated below

Third version as before, but cover cut down - Illustrated at right
26 April 1997

Freedom Day
Se-tenant strip of 5
2 May 1997
Year of the Ox MS No 36
29 May 1997
Pacific ‘97’ Exhibition MS No 37
17 May 1997
Year of Culture - Se-tenant sheetlet
1. Printed by Government Printer
Perforation 14

2. 8 December Pictorial Booklet
Printed by Questa
Includes two panes with margins imperforate
Perforation 14 x 15
5 June 1997
Water birds - Se-tenant sheetlet

1. Printed by Government Printer
Perforation 14

2. 8 December Pictorial Booklet
Printed by Questa
Includes two panes with margins imperforate
Perforation 14 x 15
Stamps from Sheetlets have
Elliptical Perforations
1 August 1997
Blue Train Se-tenant strip of 5 - Booklet with 10 stamps issued 2 November
Stamps from Booklets have
Normal Perforations
10 August 1997
Cattle Se-tenant block of 4
24 September 1997
Sontonga, Composer Se-tenant pair
No
Date
1996 - 97 Commemoratives
Stamps
180
10.01.96
Africa Cup Football + MS 29-4
5 + 1
181
08.02.96
Football Champions
1
182
28.03.96
Bloemfontein 150th Anniversary
1
183
18.05.96
CHINA ‘96’ Exhibition MS 30-5
MS
184
01.06.96
Sekoto (artist) + MS 31-6
2 + 1
185
08.06.96
CAPEX ‘96’ Exhibition MS 32-7
MS
186
08.06.96
Youth Day
1
187
08.06.96
Comrades Marathon
1
188
05.07.96
Atlanta Olympics Se-tenant strip of 5 + 1
6
189
01.08.96
New Constitution Se-tenant strip of 5
5
190
05.08.96
Safmarine Se-tenant pairs + MS 33-8
4 + 1
191
09.08.96
Woman’s Day
1
192
09.10.96
World Post Day
1
193
09.10.96
Christmas
1
194
09.10.96
Bloemfontein Exhibition MS 34-9
MS
195
04.11.96
Nobel Laureates Se-tenant sheetlet
10
 
No
Date
Commemorative Issues
Stamps
196
04.01.97
100 Years of Motoring
1
197
12.02.97
Hong Kong Exhibition MS 35-10
MS
198
07.03.97
Water Conservation Se-tenant strip of 5
5
199
01.04.97
SA Navy Anniversary Se-tenant block of 4
4
200
26.04.97
Freedom Day Se-tenant strip of 5
5
201
02.05.97
Year of the Ox MS 36-11
MS
202
17.05.97
Year of Culture Se-tenant sheetlet
10
203
29.05.97
Pacific ‘97’ Exhibition MS 37-12
MS
204
05.06.97
Water birds Se-tenant block of 4
10
205
01.08.97
Blue Train Se-tenant strip of 5
5
206
10.08.97
Cattle Se-tenant block of 4
4
207
24.09.97
Sontonga, Composer Se-tenant pair
2
208
08.10.97
Cape Town Exhibition MS 38-13
MS
209
09.10.97
World Post Day MS 39-14
MS
210
03.11.97
Christmas Se-tenant sheetlet
10
   
MS = Single Stamp Miniature sheet
 
8 October 1997
Cape Town Exhibition MS No 38
9 October 1997
World Post Day MS No 39
3 November 1997

Christmas
Se-tenant sheetlet
28 January 1998
Year of the Tiger MS No 40
11 February 1998
National Sea Rescue
8 June 1998

World cup Football
1 May 1998
SAPDA ‘98’ MS No 41
28 June 1998

SA History
Se-tenant sheetlet

Printed by Questa in Sheetlets
Perforated through the margins

Two panes issued in booklets
with side margins imperforate
Each Booklet also includes two Pre-paid Postcards
16 August 1998

Raptors
Se-tenant sheetlet

Printed by Questa in Sheetlets
Perforated through the margins

Two panes issued in booklets
with side margins imperforate
Each Booklet also includes two Pre-paid Postcards
4 September 1998
Trees Se-tenant block of 4
20 October 1998
ILSAPEX 98 MS No 43

Western Cape

KwaZulu-Natal
28 September 1998
Explore SA Se-tenant strip ex Booklet
Western Cape
28 September 1998
Explore SA Se-tenant strip ex Booklet
KwaZulu-Natal
9 October 1998

Christmas
Se-tenant strip of 5
23 October 1998
Whales - Se-tenant block of 4 + MS No 44

The MS was a joint issue with Namibia & Norfolk Island
9 October 1998
World Post Day MS No 42
15 February 1999
125th UPU Anniversary Se-tenant block of 4
19 March 1999
Sailing Ships Se-tenant block of 4
1 April 1999
AIDS Awareness
Se-tenant pair
AIDS Awareness
Issued as a pane of ten in Booklets
See below
1 April 1999

AIDS Awareness
Booklet
Contains a pane of ten with
three sides imperforate
Illustrated below
9 December 1998
50th Anniversary of
Human Rights



19 March 1999


Australia ‘99’
MS No 46

6 February 1999
Year of the Rabbit MS No 45
27 April 1999
IBRA ‘99’ MS No 47
30 April 1999
SAPDA ‘99’ MS No 48
1 May 1999
Workers Day Se-tenant sheetlet
23 June 1999
Order of St John Anniv. MS No 49
6 June 1999
President Thabo Mbeki
29 June 1999
Arts Festival Se-tenant strip of 5
Explore South Africa
The first two booklets on this subject appeared in September 1998 and
depicted scenes in the Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal

The third and final booklet was issued on 6 August 1999 and features
Mpumalanga and the Northern Province
8 August 1999

Wall Art
Se-tenant sheetlet
No
Date
1998 - 99 Commemoratives
Stamps
211
28.01.98
Year of the Tiger MS No 40
MS
212
11.02.98
National Sea Rescue
1
213
01.05.98
SAPDA ‘98’ MS No 41
MS
214
08.06.98
World cup Football
1
215
28.06.98
SA History Se-tenant sheetlet
10
216
16.08.98
Raptors Se-tenant sheetlet
10
217
04.09.98
Trees Se-tenant block of 4
4
218
28.09.98
Explore SA Se-tenant strip ex Booklet
5
219
28.09.98
Explore SA Se-tenant strip ex Booklet
5
220
09.10.98
Christmas Se-tenant strip of 5
5
221
09.10.98
World Post Day MS No 42
MS
222
20.10.98
ILSAPEX 98 MS No 43
MS(2)
223
23.10.98
Whales Se-tenant block of 4 + MS No 44
4 + 1
224
09.12.98
50th Anniversary of Human Rights
1
225
15.02.99
125th UPU Anniversary Se-tenant block of 4
4
226
16.02.99
Year of the Rabbit MS No 45
MS
 
No
Date
Commemorative Issues
Stamps
227
19.03.99
Sailing Ships Se-tenant block of 4
4
228
19.03.99
Australia ‘99’ MS No 46
MS
229
01.04.99
AIDS Awareness Se-tenant pair ex Booklet
2
230
27.04.99
IBRA ‘99’ MS No 47
MS
231
30.04.99
SAPDA ‘99’ MS No 48
MS
232
01.05.99
Workers Day Se-tenant sheetlet
10
233
16.06.99
President Thabo Mbeki
1
234
23.06.99
Order of St John Anniv. MS No 49
MS
235
29.06.99
Arts Festival Se-tenant strip of 5
5
236
06.08.99
Explore SA Se-tenant strip ex Booklet
5
237
08.08.99
Wall Art Se-tenant sheetlet
10
238
21.08.99
CHINA ‘99’ MS No 50
MS
239
09.09.99
JOPEX 99 MS No 51
MS
240
04.10.99
Migratory Species Se-tenant sheetlet
10
241
11.10.99
Boer War Centenary (1st) Se-tenant pair
2
   
MS = Single Stamp Miniature sheet
 
18 August 1999
Whales Booklet - Printed by Questa
I
ncludes two panes with side margins imperforate plus two Pre-paid Postcards

This sheetlet of ten was also available with its margins perforated
as illustrated at left and was also incorporated into a
Limited Edition booklet only available at 1998 ILSAPEX
21 August 1999
CHINA ‘99’ MS No 50
6 August 1999
Explore SA Se-tenant strip ex Booklet
9 September 1999
JOPEX 99 MS No 51
4 October 1999

Migratory Species
Se-tenant sheetlet


Printed by Questa in Sheetlets
Perforated through the margins

Two panes issued in booklets
with side margins imperforate

Each Booklet also includes two Pre-paid Postcards
11 October 1999

Boer War
Centenary (1st)
Se-tenant pair
1 January 2000

New Millennium
2 March 2000
National Lottery
5 April 2000
Family Day
22 May 2000
Stamp Show ‘2000’ MS No 52
23 June 2000

Frogs of South Africa
Se-tenant sheetlet
1 September 2000
Sydney Olympics
23 June 2000
JUNASS ‘2000’ MS No 53
1 August 2000
Medicinal Plants Se-tenant strips 5 x 2
No
Date
2000 Commemoratives
Stamps
242
01.01.00
New Millennium
1
243
02.03.00
National Lottery
1
244
05.04.00
Family Day
1
245
22.05.00
Stamp Show ‘2000’ MS No 52
MS
246
23.06.00
Frogs Se-tenant sheetlet
10
247
23.06.00
JUNASS ‘2000’ MS No 53
MS
248
01.08.00
Medicinal Plants Se-tenant strips 5 x 2
10
 
No
Date
Commemorative Issues
Stamps
249
01.09.00
Sydney Olympics
5
250
19.09.00
Year of Peace
1
251
22.09.00
World Heritage Sites
3
252
09.10.00
Year of the Dragon MS No 54
MS
253
09.10.00
World Post Day
1
254
25.10.00
Boer War Centenary (2nd)
2
   
MS = Single Stamp Miniature sheet
 

22 September 2000
World Heritage Sites
9 October 2000
Year of the Dragon MS No 54
19 September 2000
Year of Peace
9 October 2000
World Post Day
25 October 2000
Boer War Centenary (2nd)
1991 to 2000 - The Fourth Decade - a Summary
Year
Issues
Stamps
MS
Stamps
Total
Booklets
Stamps
Comments
1991
6
18
-
-
18
-
-
Issues include a se-tenant pair and strip of five
1992
5
28
2
10
38
-
-
Sports issue the first set of six and Furniture first se-tenant sheetlet of ten
1993
4
39
1
5
44
8
80
Aviation only se-tenant sheetlet of 25, Tourism strip of 5 & booklets galore
1994
7
32
1
5
37
-
-
Tugboats MS last with a full set, the Giant stamps arrive, MS with 1 stamp only
1995
19
29
5
5
34
4
40
Last of the Giant stamps, Total 95 MS with an imperforate enlarged design
1996
16
39
6
6
45
1
10
Several se-tenant pairs and strips of five plus a sheetlet of ten
1997
15
56
5
5
61
4
60
Highest No of stamps in a year with se-tenant pair, blocks, strips & sheetlets of 10
1998
14
46
5
6
52
5
70
Se-tenant units, MS and Philatelic gimmicks, the age of the postage stamp is over
1999
15
53
7
7
60
4
70
Another year that totals sixty stamps
2000
13
35
3
3
38
-
-
A slight lull in prolific issues, but more stamps than the 1961 - 1967 issues
Total
114
375
35
52
427
26
330
Including booklets 757 stamps in the fourth decade of RSA
15 November 2000 - Gladiator Sheet of Twenty
At the time it was the largest sheetlet produced 265 x 200 mm, in 2001 an even larger sheetlet appeared
The sheetlets were initially sold at a premium of R35 and from 22 January 2001 the stamps from these sheetlets were available at face value
Each stamp is accompanied by a se-tenant half size label depicting one of the cast from the Gladiator TV series

The stamps printed in sheets are perforation 13, whereas those in the sheetlet are perforated 13½ x 13
This gummed sheetlet was packed using a stiffener with a bar-code on its reverse plus a pre-paid promotional postcard all sealed in cling-film
Commemoratives Part II - The Fourth Decade 1991 - 2000

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