Zululand

1894 Scott 17 2 1/2p lilac & blue "Victoria"

Quick History
Zululand in Southern Africa was a Crown Colony of the British Empire from 1887-1897, but prior had been an independent Zulu Kingdom since 1816.

Expanding Zulu Empire 1816-1828

The rise of the Warrior Culture Zulu Empire under Shaka Zulu forced other Chiefdoms and Clans to flee the surrounding area, where they came into conflict with the Voortrekkers and the British Empire.

Zulu Village 1849

The Zulu population was 250,000 in 1828, and the capital was Bulawayo, then Ulundi. The currency was cattle.

Anglo-Zulu War 1879

Cetshwayo, King of the Zulu, under British Guard

The Zulus initially fought against the Voortrekkers (Boers) in 1838 (Battle of Blood River).

Then there was the inevitable clash with the British in 1878-79, lead by King Cetshwayo.

Battle of Isandlwana 1879

Painting 1885 by Charles Edwin Fripp (1854-1906)

At the Battle of Isandlwana, the Zulu 20,000 warriors killed over 1,300 British soldiers in hand to hand combat on a single day (January 22, 1879). This was the worst ever British Army defeat at the hands of an indigenous enemy.

Zululand 1879

But the Anglo-Zulu War turned to favor the British with the Siege of Ulundi in 1879, and the subsequent  defeat of the Zulu Kingdom.

Zululand 1885

The Zulus were divided into 13 "kinglets" or subkingdoms - and they began to have conflict with each other. The "Zulu Reserve" area was created. The Boers, who had helped Dinuzulu (son of Cetshwayo), fight one of the subkingdoms (Zibhebhu), were given much of the good farmland (Republic of Vryheld). 

Zululand 1890

This alarmed the British, and they annexed Zululand on May 18, 1887, and declared it a Crown Colony. The population was 230,000 (1900), and the capital was Eshowe.

Between May 1, 1888, and March, 1893, an eleven stamp issue was overprinted and released on British stamps.

A Zululand "Victoria" keyplate issue of ten stamps were released between 1894-96.

Zululand was absorbed into Natal on December 31, 1897. Stamps were withdrawn from sale for Zululand on June 30, 1898.

1894 Scott 16 1p lilac & rose "Victoria"

Into the Deep Blue
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Zululand 1888-1896, 24 major number descriptions. Of those, none are CV <$1-$1+. Raising the bar to CV $3-$10, yields six stamps (12%). Clearly, Zululand is not a bargain for WW collectors, but a few stamps can form a small representative collection.

A closer look at the stamps and issues
12 Pence = 1 Shilling
20 Shillings = 1 Pound

1888 Scott 1 1/2p vermilion 

Stamps of Great Britain, Overprinted

Between November, 1888- May, 1893, an eleven stamp overprinted Great Britain issue was released. CV is $3-$20+ for five stamps.

Not unexpectedly, prices for stamps on covers range from 20X - 100X the CV of the stamp.

On June 27, 1891, a 1p lilac overprinted Natal revenue stamp (not shown) was declared to be a postage stamp. The CV is only $3+, and there is a space in BB for the stamp.

1894 Scott 15 1/2p lilac & green "Victoria"

Between April, 1894 - February, 1896, a ten stamp keyplate "Victoria" issue was released. CV is $3-$20+ for five stamps.

The highest denomination was 5 pounds (CV $1,900), and Scott states that dangerous forgeries exist. There is also a Scott note that 14 of the 17 agencies/post offices used both violet or black cancellations, so a violet cancellation is not necessarily from revenue use.

Zululand was annexed to Natal in December, 1897. Separate Zululand stamps were discontinued by June 30, 1898.

Aden 1942 Scott 16 1/2a green "Aidrus Mosque"

Why am I showing the Aden 1/2a green here?

Zululand is the last "country" post.

Returning to the beginning, the Aden 1/2a green was the initial image for the Aden first post on February 12, 2011.

The "A to Z" publication of countries in BB is now finished. !!!!!

Zululand in '69 and later Editions of Big Blue

Big Blue

Big Blue '69, on 1/2 page shared with Yemen (last page of BB!), has fourteen spaces, two of which are blank spaces.

Coverage is a rather generous 55%, and includes six spaces for the 1888-93 first issue (Great Britain stamps overprinted), the 1891 Scott 14 1p lilac (On Natal Revenue stamp), and the 1894-96 Victoria keyplate issue- seven spaces.

Because of the generous coverage for a rather expensive colony, there are five stamps with CV $20+, and two additional stamps over the "Most Expensive" threshold ($35+) @ $45 and (forced by a blank space choice) $90. !!

Of interest, the 1940s BB editions had much less generous coverage - one line with six spaces and no expensive stamps. As I mentioned in past blog posts, the common belief that the 1940s BB editions have "better" coverage is not, in fact, true for a number of countries.

And so ends the BB checklist survey. :-) !!!!

Checklist

1888-93

1,2,3,4,5,(8),

1891

14,

1894-96

15,16,17,18,19,20,(21),

Comments

A) Expensive stamps ($10 threshold): 

1888 Scott 3 2p green & red ($20+)

1891 Scott 4 2 1/2p violet/blue ($20+)

1888 Scott 5 3p violet/yellow ($20+)

1888 (Scott 8) 6p violet/rose ($20)

1894 Scott 19 6p lilac & black ($20+)

1894 Scott 20 1sh green ($45)

1896 (Scott 21) 2sh6p green & black ($90)

B) (   ) around a number is a blank space choice.

1894 Scott 18 3p lilac & brown "Victoria"

Out of the Blue

Zululand is most noted for being the very last country listed in the Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue.

What a trip!

Note:Maps, sketches, and paintings in the "Quick History" section appear to be in the public domain.

Comments appreciated!