1885-95 Transvaal in Bud's Big Blue
Bud's Big BlueBud's Observations
(From Jim: Bud is well, but has a lot of non philatelic obligations and responsibilities at the moment. With his permission, I will upload country pages in his complete '69 Big Blue that so far has not been shown. He might add his observations later. Enjoy!)
Jim's Observations
Transvaal (South African Republic), one of the Dutch speaking Boer states, was an independent country from 1852-1902. (The other independent country was the Orange Free State.)
But when gold fields were discovered in 1886, it significantly elevated British interest.
The Boers defeated the British in the First 1877-1881 Boer War, but surrendered to the British after the bloody 1899-1902 Second Boer War on May 31, 1902 with the Treaty of Vereeniging.
The British had declared by proclamation that the territory should be known as "The Transvaal" on September 1, 1900.
Suffice to say, through the prism of historical reading about the Boer wars and the era, that this was not the finest moment for mankind.
The turmoil is reflected in the stamps issues. The First Republic released stamps between 1869-1876. There are then "First British Occupation" issue stamps between 1877-1880. The Second Republic issued stamps between 1882-1896. The Second British Occupation stamps began in 1900. Finally, "Transvaal" proper Edward VII stamps were issued between 1902-1910.
The capital was Pretoria, and the population was 1,260,000 (297,000 white) in 1904.
The Union of South Africa was established in 1910. Transvaal, existing now as a province, ceased their own stamp production.
Suffice to say, through the prism of historical reading about the Boer wars and the era, that this was not the finest moment for mankind.
The turmoil is reflected in the stamps issues. The First Republic released stamps between 1869-1876. There are then "First British Occupation" issue stamps between 1877-1880. The Second Republic issued stamps between 1882-1896. The Second British Occupation stamps began in 1900. Finally, "Transvaal" proper Edward VII stamps were issued between 1902-1910.
The capital was Pretoria, and the population was 1,260,000 (297,000 white) in 1904.
The Union of South Africa was established in 1910. Transvaal, existing now as a province, ceased their own stamp production.
The 2014 Scott Classic Specialized 1840-1940 catalogue has, for Transvaal 1869-1910, 293 major number descriptions. Of those, 50 are CV <$1-$1+, or only 17%.
Big Blue '69, on 1 1/2 pages, has 52 spaces. Coverage is 18%.
Fortunately, BB ignores the expensive 1869-1879 issues ( 117 major numbers), and begins coverage with the 1885-93 Second Republic issues.
There is only one "expensive" (CV $10) stamp required for the spaces.
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Fortunately, BB ignores the expensive 1869-1879 issues ( 117 major numbers), and begins coverage with the 1885-93 Second Republic issues.
There is only one "expensive" (CV $10) stamp required for the spaces.
I should mention that there are plenty of reprints and forgeries for Transvaal. For detail, click on the link below.
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Supplements
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