Z.A.R. / TRANSVAAL
Postal History and Postal Stationery
 -  POSTAL HISTORY
T2178
1900 (19th December), small envelope addressed to a prisoner of war at Deadwood Camp on St. Helena. Bearing two ½d green overprinted ‘V.R.I.’ (SG 226) tied by a POTCHEFSTROOM (19 Dec) squared circle datestamp. Johannesburg (21 Dec) transit backstamp and with St Helena (8 Jan) arrival struck on the front. The envelope was opened by censor and resealed with a ‘ON HER MAJESTY’S SERVICE / Opened Under Martial Law.’ black on pink censor label. Attractive and a fine early example of mail sent at the recently inaugurated rate of 1d per half ounce. This followed Transvaal’s joining the Imperial Penny Post system on 1st December 1900, 19 days before this letter was mailed.
£75