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Auction: 22016 - Important Stamps and Covers of the World
Lot: 331

(x) Transvaal
Military Mail
Magoeba War, 1894-95
1894 unstamped envelope registered to Pretoria, headed "Velddienst" and showing, on reverse, clear Pietersburg datestamp (7.9). The only known registered cover from this war. Rare. Photo

Note: The Magoeba War lasted from August 1894 to 9 June 1895, when Magoeba was killed. The cause was the resistance to the imposed relocation of the tribe to make way for Boer farmers.

General Piet Joubert was in command of the 800 burghers and 6,000 Bantu soldiers (mainly Swazi mercenaries) who launched an attack against the Makgoba tribe in the north and north eastern Transvaal. Magoeba fled in to dense forest, and as the unhealthy summer season prevented a campaign, his territory was encircled by forts. These forts were not successful, and General Joubert and his commando then made a search of the forest. Vhief Magoeba was found by a Swazi unit on 9 June 1895, who killed him and handed his head to Joubert as proof of his death.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£1,100

Starting price
£800