South Africa Cape of Good Hope, Vryburg 1900 (16 May) British Reoccupation 1d rose-red and green Transvaal with type 2 'V.R./SPECIAL/POST' handstamp READING DOWNWARDS, tied to piece by light complete and part strikes of 'VRYBURG/B.B.' circular date stamp dated 'MY 16 19', SG12var.
The best quality example we have ever seen and the minor soiling can be forgiven because it is such a rare stamp, hardly ever seen on the market.
Only 60 issued of the basic stamp (mostly with handstamp reading upwards). Quite probably the once in our lifetime we will have the privilege of handling this great rarity.
These Provisionals were issued by the Military Authorities as stamps of Transvaal hand stamped "V.R. SPECIAL POST".
Provenance: Ex Rosenberg.
The Stanley Gibbons catalogue value is £6,000+.
During the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902), Vryburg (in what is now North West Province, South Africa) was a key military outpost and logistical base. In May 1900, British forces reoccupied the town after it had briefly been under Boer control.
With no regular British stamps available, military authorities improvised by using existing stocks of Transvaal stamps, overprinting them with "V.R. / SPECIAL / POST"
"V.R." signified Victoria Regina, denoting royal (British) authority, while "Special Post" highlighted their temporary military postal usage. These overprints were applied manually, resulting in scarce and irregular varieties.
The dated usage (16 May 1900) is within days of the British military reclaiming Vryburg, placing this among the earliest known post-reoccupation usages.
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