Beautiful selection of Transvaal stamps. It would be great if they prove to be originals, particularly #135, as reprints abound with these issues. One thing I did notice; the triangle stamp that appears at 2:53 is from Cape of Good Hope and is a lot more valuable than the 1926 South African triangle stamps. Depending on variety, it was issued somewhere between 1853 and 1864. The Cape of Good Hope triangles are the first stamps ever issued in that shape. I understand that the odd shape helped the Cape of Good Hope postal workers, who were illiterate, distinguish their country’s stamps from stamps of other countries.
One should keep in mind with Transvaal, that the counterfeiting and reprinting of these stamps started soon after they were issued. I took the copies of Transvaal Scott #202 to 209, which I have, from an album dated 1912. The original collector who first had this album made the following notation:” These were collected prior to 1902 and are probably ok”. That is a good indication of how soon the reprinting and counterfeiting of these issues began.
One note of history, the collector which originally had the copies of Transvaal #202 -209, which I now have, probably had participated with the British in the Second Boer War. Along with these stamps, there was a card, I now have, with a copy of Transvaal #206 stuck to it. Written on this card in pencil are the following words:” V.R.I. Victoria Reg Impress When the Transvaal was taken we used their stamps, but they were marked VRI”. The Second Boer War was fought October 1899 to May 1902 and accounts for the British occupation of Transvaal.
I love South African States. What an awesome collection. I see there were no Edward VII portraits. That is what I need most of also. You will notice that there are 2 types of wagon stamps. One set has one pole in front of the wagon and one set has two poles in front. There are visible but if you have old tired eyes like mine you might need a magnifying glass just to make sure.
Hi! New subscriber here. :) I inherited my grandfather's stamp collection when he passed several years ago - it goes back to the 1950s. I'm so new to this and wanting to learn more, but when I do research I easily get overwhelmed. Hailey from Westover directed me to your channel. Excited to learn more! I did search for some "beginner" videos in your library - any tips or videos for brand new collectors? (I did view How to Organize Your Stamp Collection and How to Remove Stamps from Paper - very helpful!) Thanks!
So mallard I have a booklet of mint stamps and blocks idk how to contact you..... But I got some that you send yourself in one of your videos about the Lincoln and Washington stamps the booklets in a little rough shape but I found it in a car I bought and I don't know how to directly tell and I like your videos so I figured you'd be the man to hit up please let me know
