Postal History Maps of the Orange Free State and Orange River Colony 1850-1910

Pale Green Folder with cards and maps.

Postal History Maps of the Orange Free State and Colony- Gazetteer for 1890-1910.

The idea of producing maps siting the early Postal Agencies and Post Offices arose some thirty years ago when the writer, checking easily available maps for postal routes, was unable to find many place names. Enquiries indicated that others had similar problems. The Orange Free State Study Circle Committee agreed to fund the production of suitable maps but although drafting commenced, a number of unfortunate mishaps and delays followed. In addition detailed studies of old maps of the Orange Free State, many undated, raised problems as the position of some sites varies from map to map, and duplication of names was common as were variations in spelling and name changes. It should also be noted that many early Postal Agencies were on farms and many were open only for a short period. Some apparently never had cancellers, mail presumably being cancelled at the larger collection centres. A number of postal route maps exist from 1854 to 1894 but these show only the main towns.

From 1900 the position improved considerably as the British Army produced maps for use in the Anglo-Boer War.

The author thanks are due to Werner Seeba of Suttgart who traced many little known Postal Agencies from the 1907 large scale maps on which all the farms in the country are mapped and named, and Bob Allison for the detailed listings of Post Offices and Postal Agencies which greatly facilitated work.

Very Good