Preview of Stamps Catalogue CD : VOLUME 1

SOUTH WEST AFRICA

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German colony (Deutsch Südwest Afrika)

The first German post office was opened on 16th July 1888 in the town of Otgimbingue. This post office was moved to Windhoek on 13th October 1891.

Stamps of Germany used in South West Africa (so-called Vorläufer) in 1896 cancelled 'OTGIMBINGUE' and 'SWAKOPMUND'

1898 Stamps of Germany, overprinted 'Deutsch Sudwest-Afrika' (with '-' between 'Sudwest' and 'Afrika')

On numeral issue:

3 c brown

  3 p brown
  5 p green

On eagle issue:

  10 p red
  20 p blue
  25 p orange
  50 p brown

Value of the stamps
vc = very common c = common * = not so common ** = uncommon		*** = very uncommon R = rare RR = very rare RRR = extremely rare
Value	Unused	Used	Remarks
3 p	*	*
5 p	*	**
10 p	**	***
20 p	*	*
25 p	***	RR	Prepared, but not sold at the post-office
50 p	***	RR	Prepared, but not sold at the post-office

1898 Stamps of Germany, overprinted 'Deutsch Sudwestafrika' (no '-' between west and afrika)

On numeral issue:

  3 p brown
  5 p green

On eagle issue:

  10 p red
  20 p blue
  25 p orange
  50 p brown

Value of the stamps
vc = very common c = common * = not so common ** = uncommon		*** = very uncommon R = rare RR = very rare RRR = extremely rare
Value	Unused	Used	Remarks
3 p	c	*
5 p	c	c
10 p	c	c
20 p	**	**
25 p	RR	RR
50 p	**	**

Forgeries:

(Fournier forgery)

Fournier has made forgeries of these stamps (forged overprints on forged German stamps, for distinguishing characteristics click here). In his 1914 pricelist Fournier offers them (all 6 values) for 2 Swiss Francs. I have only seen these forgeries with the cancel 'RETHANIEN DEUTSCH-SÜDWESTAFRIKA * 1/5 99 *'. I have also seen some Fournier forgeries with 'GIBEON 1/5 ...' cancel (I have seen all values except the 3 p).

1900 German colonies type, ship

Small size

  3 p brown
  5 p green
  10 p red
  20 p blue
  25 p orange and black on yellow
  30 p orange and black on red
  40 p red and black
  50 p violet and black
  80 p red and black on red

Large size

  1 M red
  2 M blue
  3 M violet
  5 M black and red

The small values have perforation 14 x 14 1/4. The Mark values have perforation 14 1/4.
Value of the stamps
vc = very common c = common * = not so common ** = uncommon
*** = very uncommon R = rare RR = very rare RRR = extremely rare
Value Unused Used Remarks
No Watermark (1900)
3 p * *
5 p ** c
10 p ** c
20 p ** *
25 p c ***
30 p * *
40 p c *
50 p * *
80 p * *
1 M *** **
2 M *** ***
3 M ** ***
5 M R R
With watermark 'Lozenges'
3 p c c
5 p c c
10 p c c
20 p c *
30 p c ***
1 M *** ***
2 M ** ***
3 M ** - Only sold in Berlin, never in South West Africa
5 M *** ***

Other values with watermark seem to exist, but they are proofs (45 p, 50 p and 80 p).

Fournier has made forgeries of these stamps (the pfennig values only, for distinguishing characteristics click here). They are not mentioned in his 1914 pricelist. Examples:

(Fournier forgeries)

Some non-issued fiscal stamps exist for German South West Africa, they have the inscription 'STEMPELMARKE SUDWEST AFRIKA'. The values 25 p, 50 p, 1 M, 2 M, 3 M, 5 M and 10 M exist. Furthermore a surcharged stamp: 25 p on 1 M.

Literature on fiscals etc of the German South West Africa:

Erler / Norton: Catalogue of the Adhesive Revenues of Germany: II German Colonies and Overseas Steamship Lines. The following chapters are included: German East Africa, German South West Africa (the other colonies did not use revenue stamps), Africa Lines, Deutsche Ostafrika Linie / Woermann Linie, Hamburg-Amerikanische-Paketfahrt AG, Hamburg Südamerikanische Dampfschiffahrtsgesellschaft, Americanische Verkehrsgesellschaft, Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. Hamburg; (1998) 37 pages.

CANCELS

A stamp of Germany with cancel 'AUS WESTAFRIKA':

('AUS WESTAFRIKA' cancel)

A railway cancel 'BAHNPOST ZUG 2' on a stamp of German South West Africa

Mandate of South Africa (from 1923 onwards)

This topic actually falls outside the scope of this catalogue (which lists mainly stamps from 1840 to 1920). I'll give some examples of the stamps issued only:

Examples of overprints 'South West Africa' or 'Zuidwest Afrika' on stamps of South Africa (made in 1923):

In 1931 stamps with inscription 'SOUTH WEST AFRICA' or 'SUIDWES AFRIKA' were issued, examples:

Official stamps:

(overprint 'OFFICIAL' or 'OFFISIEEL')

Fiscal stamps

(Stamps with overprint 'REVENUE' or 'INKOMSTE')

Copyright by Evert Klaseboer

Preview of Stamps Catalogue CD : VOLUME 1