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Auction: 24028 - Stamps and Covers of British Africa
Lot: 1071

(x) Bechuanaland
Covers and Cancellations
British Bechuanaland
1891 (23 Nov.) fascinating signed letter from Emil Tamsen written on his business letterhead to the postmaster of Mafeking, Henry Hamilton Flowers. The letter asks a series of questions regarding Mr Flower's recollection of the 1885-87 issue when he was postmaster at Vryburg. Specifically those with overprints "a little larger than those used before", which are now known as forgeries. The letter asks seven questions which the postmaster replied to four days later.

Tamsen affixed six stamps: a genuine mint ½d. grey-black (SG 4) alongside a "used" ½d. with forged overprint and below these examples of forged overprints on the 1d. (2), one with upright and one with inverted overprint, a ½d. with inverted overprint and a 2d. with upright overprint. All the forgeries bear what are believed to be genuine cancellations.

A wonderful piece of Bechuanaland philatelic history. Photo

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

Sold for
£1,000

Starting price
£200