Postmarks of the Cape of Good Hope- Luxury Edition (Signed) + three letters.

Half leather and marbled boards, with four raised ribs to spine with spine titles in gilt.

Postmarks of the Cape of Good Hope- The Postal History and Markings of the Cape of Good Hope and Griqualand West. 1792- 1910, with a foreword by Comdr.F.W.Collins.

In 1943 A.A.Jurgens published The Handstruck Letter Stamps of the Cape of Good Hope from 1792 to 1853 and Postmarks from 1853 to 1910, an advanced work of postal history, almost without equal at that date. The interest of collectors of Cape of Good Hope postal history was immediately aroused, for here was a standard work of reference which contained much information unobtainable elsewhere.

Then, as happens when a new book stimulates interest in a hitherto obscure subject, more and more information, either supplementing Jurgen's work or correcting some of his facts, came to light. Much of this was published in the South African Philatelist or other journals and newsletters of philatelic societies, and the demand increased for someone to co-ordinate the new information and issue a supplement to bring Jurgens up to date.

Robert Goldblatt, one of the well-established experts in Cape postal history, undertook this daunting task, and many years of painstaking work has resulted in this all-inclusive volume. However, this is no supplement to Jurgen's publication. Although based on it, it is an entirely original work, having been rewritten and re-arranged to bring everything into line with modern knowledge.

An example of Bob Goldblatt's thoroughness and attention to detail is provided by the list of the Oval Date Stamps of 1853. Jurgens listed only 93 of them: here we have 107 post office names, with the earliest and latest dates of use hitherto recorded, and a relative scarcity factor for each. More names and dates will come to light, but such a list as this is of the greatest interest to collectors of these postmarks. Repeatedly throughout the book, the results of the author's painstaking care and almost endless research are put before the postal historian.

The appendices are most comprehensive, and it is a pleasure to be able to find, in addition to early inland and external postal charges, the postal routes, times allowed for the various stages and the means of conveyance, which add that touch of local history dear to the heart of the postal historian.

SOURCE: Bill Collins. 1983.

Maps to endpapers, Reijger pre-half title page (Signed), Half Title, Title, Dedication, Foreword, Preface, Contents. 267 pages text with supporting illustrations, etc., plus 3 letters.

Near Fine.

ISBN 0 620 07099 4