Orange Free State Republican Postage Issues 1868-1900 (Philately of Southern Africa)

The Orange Free State ceased to exist with the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging when it surrendered to the British Empire at the conclusion of the Boer War in 1902. That was over 115 years ago. Most people are not familiar with the Free State.Fortunately for us, Orange Free State philately is alive and is an active collecting area. Philatelists know a great deal about it. And Tim Bartshe, Orange Free State specialist extraordinaire, knows more than most about this challenging subject. This exhibit, Orange Free State Republican Postage Issues, 1868-1900, is the culmination of over 25 years of study of these stamps.Beyond the detailed study of the production history, printings and postal history, the exhibit includes new discoveries and census information. Much of the material shown is unique or is the only recorded example. It’s a joy to read.The exhibit shows the postage stamps first issued by the Orange Free State in 1868 through the fall of the Republic to British forces in March 1900 and a few months beyond. Due to shortages, postal rate changes and general frugality, provisional issues were locally printed beginning in 1877 continuing through 1896. The exhibit provides great detail with these issues from essay through production along with an analysis of the eight separate provisional values.Because the issued values and subsequent provisional issues were a discrete response to the rate decreases of the ever-efficient postal system, postal rates are thoroughly discussed and displayed. Where germane to the discussion, routing and other information is included for the general interest of the reader. Read more