General and specialised collectors will be aware that there are marked shades of this issue outside the scope of the general SG listing. The classification on the table below is based on my own observations, where I have accumulated a large number of these and attempted to group into shade bands. Emphasis must be made that these are shade bands, one can go on and on splitting groups, but this could well be influenced by inking intensities, fading, etc.

The colours quoted are taken from the SG colour key, and are the closest match to these specific shades. Variance will be encountered. As an additional aid, I have illustrated each value as a group, please click alongside the value to view the shades as listed.

The term 'fuzzy frame' is my terminology for an easily seen variance. Where indicated, the frame, specially around 'POSTAGE and REVENUE', is in comparison to others unclear and 'fuzzy', the lines of shading not so easily seen. In appearance, it could be said that the frames are rubbed, similar to chalk surfaced stamps.

The shades indicated as 1st printing match those on a cover postmarked on the first day of issue.

[ Michael Deverell ]

½d and 2d x 2, each in un-issued colour brown, black and blue and black and carmine. Overprinted at top 'WATERLOW & SONS / LIMITED / SPECIMEN' with small security puncture perf. 12½ on ungummed paper as released. SG 1, 4 x 2 specimens / printer's sample

½d to 5/-, set of 14 values very fine mint. SG 1-14

½d to 5/-, set of 14 values. Very fine used, selected for neat datestamps, uncommon thus. SG 1-14

½d, single imperf. to interpanneau margin at left. Very fine unmounted. SG 1 var.

½d, vertical pair across the horizontal interpanneau, lower stamp imperf. to margin. Very fine unmounted. SG 1 var.

½d, vertical pair across the horizontal interpanneau, part imprint, the top stamp imperf. to margin. Superb fresh unmounted. SG 1 var.

½d, vertical block of four across the horizontal interpanneau, both top stamps imperf. to margin. Very fine mint. SG 1 var.

½d, vertical pair across the horizontal interpanneau, lower stamp imperf. to margin. Very fine used cancelled with 'MARANDELLAS' datestamps dated SEPT 1930. Very fine and scarce. SG 1 var.

½d, pair imperf. to upper interpanneau margin. Very fine used, uncommon. SG 1 var.

1d, single imperf. to lower interpanneau margin. Very fine mint. SG 2 var.

1d, single imperf. to lower interpanneau margin. Very fine unmounted. SG 2 var.

1d, vertical pair across horizontal interpanneau, lower stamp imperf. to margin. Very fine mint. SG 2 var.

1d, pair each imperf. to horizontal interpanneau at top, part imprint. Stamps unmounted, hinged on margin. SG 2 var.

1d, vertical block of four across the horizontal interpanneau, both lower stamps imperf. to margin. Very fine mint or unmounted. SG 2 var.

1d, coil stamp perf. 12½, strip of three. Superb unmounted. SG 2c

1d, coil stamp perf 12½. Off centre otherwise fine used. Uncommon. SG 2c

1d, coil stamp perf 12½. Fine used on piece. Uncommon. SG 2c

1½d, imperf. to top interpanneau margin. Very fine used. Uncommon. SG 3 var.

5/-, deep blue and deep turquoise-green shade, top marginal RE-JOINED block of four, being two vertical pairs. Part imprint, stamps superb unmounted. A lovely block. SG 14

1928 9th April, window envelope bearing ½d GV Admiral (SG 1) cancelled 'SALISBURY 9 APR 1928'. Cover with light buckles, otherwise a fine and clean example of the local ½d rate.

1928 30th April, 4d George V Admiral Registered Envelope (small size G, HandG C1), bearing 3 x 1d each cancelled dc 'SHABANI / 30 APR 28 / S. RHODESIA' datestamps, reverse side addressed to England. Fine and attractive.

1929 12th July, cover bearing 3d George V Admiral (SG 5) cancelled 'UMTALI', to the USA. Light cover creases, otherwise fine and clean.

Basic set of 15 values including small Falls, various perfs. Very fine mint. SG 15-27 basic

Set perf. 12 including 1½d booklet stamp. 13 values very fine mint. SG 15-27

Set perf. 11½. 11 values very fine mint. SG 15a-26a

Set perf. 14. Five values very fine mint. SG between 15b-23b

Complete set comprising perf. 12, 11½ and 14 types plus small Falls. A total of 31 stamps as listed. Very fine mint. SG 16-27 complete

Complete set comprising perf. 12, 11½ and 14 types plus small Falls. A total of 31 stamps as listed. Very fine used selected cds copies. A difficult assembly. SG 16-27 complete

½d x 3, 1d x 3 and 1½d. Each in a vertical pair across the horizontal interpanneau margin, the ½d perfs. 12, 11½ and 14, 1d perfs. 12, 11½ and 14 and 1½ perf. 11½. Ex. the printer's archive without gum. Fine unused, very scarce group being the complete range of perforation types that exist in this format from this issue. SG 15, 15a, 15b, 16, 16a, 16b, 16d

1½d perf. 12 ex. booklets.  On piece with ½d cancelled 'HARTLEY', very fine. SG 16c, 15

1½d perf. 12 ex. booklet. Block of four cancelled with central 'BULAWAYO STATION 20 APR 1937' datestamp. Full perforations, very fine. Uncommon. SG 16c

1/6 perf. 12 grey-black and yellow. Top marginal pair, superb unmounted SG 24

1/6 perf. 12 grey-black and yellow. Very fine used cancelled with 'PARCELS BULAWAYO RHODESIA' (blank below) datestamp dated 5 MAR 1936. Uncommon. SG 25

2/- perf. 12 black and reddish brown. Horizontal strip of three fine used. SG 25

5/- perf. 12 deep ultramarine and deep bluish green. Left marginal horizontal pair, superb and fresh unmounted. SG 27

5/- perf. 12 deep ultramarine and deep bluish green, in combination with 1d and 4d values perf. 11½, on piece cancelled 'MASHABA'. Most attractive. SG 27, 16a, 19a

3d small Falls, block of four fine used. SG 18

2/- perf. 11½ vertical strip of six from the right side of the sheet with all margins intact, with running sheet no. '7' top right. Some minor damage to margin, otherwise superb and fresh unmounted. SG 25a

2/6 perf. 11½ block of four very fine mint or unmounted. SG 26a

4d perf. 14 block of four, very fine mint or unmounted. SG 19b

4d perf. 14 block of nine, some creasing and faults but a very scarce multiple, used with 'SALISBURY' datestamps. SG 19b

1932, 2nd March, black and white Postcard of the Victoria Falls Hotel bearing ½d and 1d George V Field Marshals (SG 15,16) cancelled 'BULAWAYO' datestamp to England.

1932, 29th August, airmail cover bearing 1d and 4d George V Field Marshals and 2d 3d large Falls, 'ENKELDOORN / S. RHODESIA 29 AUG 1932' datestamps to England. Some cover faults.

1932, 14th December, registered Airmail cover bearing 1d x 2, 8d, 10d George V Field Marshals and 2d large Falls x 2 (2/- rate) cancelled 'SALISBURY S.R. REGISTERED' datestamps to London. Colourful and attractive.

1934, 19th January, cover bearing 1d George V Field Marshal and 2d small Falls (SG 16, 17), cancelled 'SALISBURY 19 JAN 1934' to the USA. Fine and clean, an attractive and uncommon use of the 2d small Falls.

1934, 21st March, ½d to 5/- George V Field Marshals (less 9d not yet issued), 2d and 3d large Falls, ½d, 1½d and 10d perf. 11½, others perf. 12. Each on separate cover with special crested oval 'ROYAL TOUR H.R.H. PRINCE GEORGE SOUTH AFRICA' strikes dated 21 III 34. A delightful set, superb and fresh. Very rare.

1934, 12th September (Pioneer Day), airmail cover bearing 2 x 1½d p.11½ and 6d p.12 George V Field Marshals (SG 17d, 20), cancelled indistinct SALISBURY datestamp's to England. The reduced 9d airmail rate was introduced on the 1st June and lasted for only 6 months. Light cover faults.

1935, 18th February, set ½d to 5/- George V Field Marshals, with 2d and 3d large Falls, 9d, 1/6 and 5/- perf. 12 others perf. 11½. Each on separate cover cancelled with the special 'IMPERIAL PRESS CONFERENCE' strikes dated the 18th or 20th Feb 1935. Together with the printed O.H.M.S. long envelope which this set was posted to Marandellas signed by the then PMG, A. Swift. A delightful set, superb and fresh. Very rare.

1937, 17th March, long registered Airmail cover bearing ½d x 2, 1d, 4d x 2, 6d and 8d George V Field Marshals and large Falls pair, 'REGISTERED BULAWAYO S.R. 17 MAR 1937' cancels. Endorsed 'POSTAGE OUT OF COURSE' and additionally '3d' cachet 'TO PAY', to Scotland re-addressed with numerous backstamps. Tatty and creased.

1937, 6th September, Radio Ham printed Postcard, the address side headed 'PRINTED PAPER RATE' and bearing ½d George V (SG 15a, defective) cancelled large dc 'BULAWAYO' datestamp to England. Attractive use of this reduced rate.

1937, 9th November, cover to the USA bearing Field Marshal ½d (SG 15b) tied by large 'UMTALI 9 Nov' datestamp. A fine example of the unsealed letter rate.

1937, 29th November, black and white Postcard bearing ½d George V Field Marshal (perf. 14. SG 15b) cancelled 'TURK MINE 29 NOV 1937 / S. RHODESIA' datestamp to Natal. Uncommon office used on card.