Sale 298

South West Africa Postal History


Early Mail
 
 
Lot Photo Description
Lot 4001

1849 (28 May) folded letter from New Barmen written by Emma Hahn, wife of the missionary Hugo Hahn, to her mother in London (7.12), showing "General Post Office/Capetown" oval Crown and straight-line "Ship Letter" handstamps, rated "4" for postage within the Cape and "8" for British ship letter, Very Fine and early missionary letter.
Estimate 7,500 - 10,000

In 1842, the Nama leader Jonker Afrikaner invited the first missionaries to settle among his people. The Rhenish Missionary Society sent Hugo Hahn and Heinrich Kleinschmidt to Okahandja to further its work. The Latvian born Hahn, who remained in South West Africa for 30 years, was the most influential missionary. He left Klein Windhoek in October, 1843 and eventually settled in New Barmen. Amongst other things, the above letter describes the feud between Jonker Afrikaner and the Ovahereros: "… we heard that two cattle posts of Jonker Afrikaner had been robbed by the Ovambautiru (East Damras), he was on his way to Walvich bay and was called back and although unable to find the guilty parties pursued & attacked others and returned with much booty. Previously, while on the road to the Bay he had wantonly without the slightest cause, fallen upon a large village of Overherero (West Damras) and killed 30 Kaitjine, brother of the Captain Kamu-Kamu Captain of the above-mentioned tribe, rose with a large party of his people and fell upon Jonkers and his people in the night, he was however obliged to retreat after losing 5 or 6 men, the Namaquas long accustomed to guns know their use better than the Ovaherero among whom they have been introduced during the last five years. Kaitjine is one of the most powerful and richest of the Ovaherero Chiefs and had till this last depredation on Jonker's side been on friendly terms with him, but now fearful lest Jonker should attack him he has removed now northward where he still remains about two days ride on oxback from this. Last week my dear husband rode thither and met with a most cordial reception".

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Lot 4002

1850 (11 Sept.) folded letter from Hugo Hahn in New Barmen to the Rhenish Missionary Society in Barmen, Prussia "via Belgique" and endorsed "P.P.", showing "General Post Office/Capetown" oval Crown handstamp, framed "America per England" handstamp in red applied at Aachen, and "Entlastet/Barmen" double-ring arrival date stamp (2.2), handstruck "19" in octagon, "8" for Cape internal double rate, "¼" British rating, and "162/3" Prussian silbergroschen, Very Fine early letter from this famous missionary.
Estimate 7,500 - 10,000
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Lot 4003

1851 (21 Sept.) folded letter from "New Barmen, Ovaherero Land" written by Emma Hahn to her sister in London (2.4.52) via Walvis Bay, showing "Ship Letter" straight-line handstamp in red, rated "8", Very Fine and interesting missionary letter.
Estimate 7,500 - 10,000

Emma Hahn writes about the visit of Francis and Anderson, and extending their mission northward. Francis Galton explored South West Africa between 1850-52. A cousin of Charles Darwin, he later founded the eugenics movement. "Mr. Galton has returned from the Obampo country and is now gone more eastward, we hear that a missionary was likely to arrive at a Namaqua station a fortnight's journey eastward from this, who has made his way through a country hitherto considered impossible by the natives. - i.e., From the Lake Guami (Ngami) of the discovery of which you have doubtless heard… The Missionary we suppose to be Mr. Livingston who had already penetrated to the Lake with Mr. Oswell - and who was formerly at the Kuruman - but has been for some time settled among the Batlapi 200 miles north of the Kuruman. It is just now a very interesting period for poor benighted Africa".

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Lot 4004

1852 (16 Jan.) folded letter from George Town, Cape of Good Hope written by Catherine Elliot to her brother "Revd. F.W. Kolbe, Otjimbingue, Damara Land, Care of Revd. Mr. Juffernbruch Ebenzer, District Clanwilliam" endorsed "ppd" and rated "4d" for postage within the Cape over which framed "Prepaid" handstamp applied, and further endorsed "Forwarded", as the letter would have been carried by native runner across the Orange River into South West Africa (i.e., Damaraland), Very Fine early letter into the territory.
Estimate 7,500 - 10,000

Provenance: "White Lady"

Reverend Kolbe was another early missionary sent by the Rhenish Missionary Society to New Barmen, Otjimbingue, and Okahandja. He also organised a mail route with the help of the chiefs around 1848 between New Barmen (Otjikango) and Rehoboth via Windhoek using native runners.

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Lot 4005

1884 (circa Nov.) envelope from Lüderitzbucht to Dr. Schenck's brother in Siegen, Germany (21.1.85), endorsed "Abs. Dr. A. Schenck, Angra Pequena" and bearing Cape of Good Hope rectangular ½d, 1d, and 6d, cancelled by "Cape-Town/Cape Colony" squared circle date stamp (31.12) and showing handstruck "2½" in red, Very Fine and the earliest known letter from this correspondence.
Estimate 7,500 - 10,000

In 1883, the Bay of Angra Pequena was purchased by the German merchant Adolf Lüderitz. It was placed under German protection on 24 April 1884 and renamed Lüderitzbucht.

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Lot 4006

1885 (3 June) envelope from Bonn to "Herrn Dr. Adolf Schenck in Angra Pequena, SW Africa" via London (4.6) and Cape Town (26.6), bearing 10pf and 50pf, cancelled by c.d.s., showing "Poppe, Russouw & Co./Cape Town" forwarding agent's cachet ("26.6.85, respectively 9.7.85") in violet adjacent, endorsed on reverse "Erhalten 1 August 1885 in Angra Pequena", small faults at top and flap at back missing, Very Fine and rare incoming mail prior to the opening of the German Post Office in 1888.
Estimate 7,500 - 10,000

Expertization: 1999 B.P.B. Certificate.
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Lot 4007

1885 (Sept.) envelope from Walfish Bay to Siegen (21.10) via London (20.10), endorsed "Abs. Dr. A. Schenck, Walfischbai SW. Africa" and bearing St. Helena 3d on 6d and 6d pair, cancelled by cork type and showing "St. Helena" c.d.s. (5.10) adjacent, Very Fine and rare routing.
Estimate 10,000 - 15,000
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Lot 4008

1885 (30 Oct.) envelope from Germany to "Herrn Dr. Adolf Schenck, Z.Z. in Walfisch Bai, Sd W. Africa", bearing 10pf and 50pf, cancelled by "Siegen-Retzdorf/Zug 17" oval datestamp, showing "Poppe, Russouw & Co./Cape Town" forwarding agent's cachet in violet, endorsed on reverse "Erhalten 17 Nov. 85 Otjimbingue", flap at back missing, Very Fine and rare.
Estimate 7,500 - 10,000
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Lot 4009

1888 (28 Aug.) registered envelope (195x128mm.) from Otyimbingue to Nürnberg (4.10) via Cape Town (12.9), and London (2.10), with sender's endorsement "Heinrich Rosenhauer D.W. S.C. Südwestafrika" (Land Agent of the German South West Africa Company), bearing on front and back Cape of Good Hope rectangular ½d blocks of six, four (one stamp defective) and single, and 3d blocks of twelve, four, strip of three, pair, and single, cancelled by "300" barred obliterator, showing "Walvisch Bay/Aug 28 88" c.d.s. (day corrected by hand), "Registered/London" oval datestamp in red and "Registered Letter Office/Capetown" c.d.s., small cover faults, fine nine times rate franking of the utmost rarity.
Estimate 10,000 - 15,000

THE EARLIEST RECORDED COVER POSTMARKED WALFISH BAY. FROM THE FIRST GERMAN MAIL LEAVING THE TERRITORY. ONLY TWO COVERS ARE RECORDED FROM THIS MAIL (THE OTHER BEING THE EARLIEST FROM OTYIMBINGUE).
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Lot 4010

1891 (July) envelope from Otyimbingue to Nürnberg (8.8) via Cape Town (15.7), endorsed "Abs. H. Rosenhauer, Otyimbingue, DeutschSüdwestafrika" and bearing Cape of Good Hope rectangular 1d vertical pair and single, cancelled by barred obliterator, showing "Griqualand/P.O." c.d.s. (15.7) adjacent, envelope has faults, Fine.
Estimate 300 - 400
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Lot 4011

1892 (26 Nov.) "On Her Majesty's Service" envelope (305x127mm.), from John Cleverly to "The Honourable Captain Hendrik Witbooi, Chief of North Great Namaqualand, Hoorn Krans", showing "Resident Magistrate's Office/Walfish Bay" datestamp in magenta, faults/defects but one of the few surviving documents relating to Witbooi and the native population of Namibia.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500

Provenance: Ihlow

Hendrik Witbooi, a Namibian chief, who is even today recognised as one of the great freedom fighters for his country, was originally a church elder with close ties to the Rhenish Missionary Society. In 1888, he became kapitein of the Orlam-Nama people, and later left the ancestral seat of Gibeon in 1892 for Hornkranz, where he probably planned his military campaign with his Hottentot tribe, first against the Herero and then against the German Colonial authority in 1894. He eventually lost his life fighting the Germans during the Nama Rebellion of 1904-07.

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Lot 4012

1893 (27 Sept.) Cape of Good Hope 1d stationery card to Lübeck, bearing ½d, cancelled by "300" barred obliterator and showing "Walfish Bay/E" c.d.s. adjacent, Very Fine.
Estimate 500 - 750
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Lot 4013

1894 (3 Aug.) registered envelope (377x150mm.) to the Reichs Chancellor Graf von Caprivi in Berlin (26.8), via Cape Town (8.8), bearing Cape of Good Hope rectangular 2½d vertical pair and 4d, cancelled by "300" barred obliterator and showing "Walfish Bay/E" c.d.s. adjacent, because of its size the envelope has been folded in places, Very Fine usage prior to the opening of the first German coastal postal agency in Swakopmund in May 1895.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000

Provenance: Schaefer
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Lot 4014

1899 (30 Dec.) German East Africa 5 pesa on 10pf stationery card, from Dar-es-Salaam to a botanist with the Kunene-Sambesi Expedition via Mossamades, Angola, through Durban (3.2.00), Port Elizabeth (8.2.00), Midland (10.2.00), Cape Town (11.2.00) and eventually Funchal, Madeira (26.2.00), minor creasing at foot, Very Fine and rare surviving example of mail addressed to this expedition.
Estimate 2,000 - 2,500

Provenance: Layer

Very little exploration of the Zambezi River and its tributaries was done in the thirty-five years following David Livingstone's visits between 1851-60. There were two further expeditions in 1895-96 and 1898-1900 which carried on Livingstone's work.

The Kunene River was on the northwestern border between German Southwest Africa and Angola, and even today represents an important potential source of hydroelectric power for both Angola and Namibia.

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Lot 4015

1893 (14 Feb.) registered envelope to Saxony (27.3) via Cape Town (6.3) and London (26.3), bearing Crown and Eagle 5pf bluish green pairs (2) and 50pf lilac brown (Michel 46c, 50d), cancelled by "Windhoek" c.d.s., with registration label, envelope with light uniform soiling, otherwise Very Fine double rate registered franking.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500

Provenance: Fontane, Grothuesmann
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Lot 4016

1893 (4 July) registered envelope from A. Schmerenbeck (sender's cachet on reverse) to Einbach (14.8), via Cape Town (24.7) and London (12.8), bearing Eagle 20pf blue (Michel 48b) vertical pair, cancelled by "Windhoek" c.d.s. overstruck by "300" barred obliterator, showing "Walfish Bay/E" c.d.s. (19.7) adjacent, with registration label, Fine.
Estimate 2,500 - 3,000

Provenance: Belck, Grobe
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Lot 4017

1895 (22 July) registered envelope ("Kaiserl. Gericht d. Südwestafrikanischen Schutzgebietes/zu Otyimbingue", embossed seal on reverse) to Verden (3.9) via Cape Town (1.8), bearing 20pf bright gray ultramarine (Michel 48a) vertical strip of three, cancelled by "Windhoek" c.d.s., with provisional registration label (printed "Otyimbingue" replaced by manuscript "Windhoek"), envelope reduced at right, central vertical filing crease, and addressee's name (originally excised) restored, Very Fine and rare usage.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000

Provenance: J. and H. Walldorf
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Lot 4018

1895 (4 Nov.) registered envelope ("Kaiserlich Deutsche Landeshauptmannschaft für Südwestafrika", embossed seal on reverse) to Birkenfeld via Cape Town (27.11), bearing 20pf blue (Michel 48b) singles (3), cancelled by "Windhoek" c.d.s., showing "Walfish Bay/E" c.d.s. adjacent, with registration label, Very Fine double rate registered cover.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
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Lot 4019

1896 (30 Nov.) parcel card to Annaberg (23.3) via Hamburg (22.3), bearing 2m brownish purple and Eagle 50pf lilac brown (Michel 37e, 50d), cancelled by "Windhoek" c.d.s., card has slight creasing, stamps Fine to Very Fine, franked at the 3m 50pf rate (introduced 12 September 1894) for a parcel weighing up to 5 kilograms sent via Hamburg, very few parcel cards are known from the forerunner period.
Estimate 2,500 - 3,000
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Lot 4020

1897 (1 Feb.) envelope to Frankfurt (15.3), bearing Crown and Eagle 5pf bluish green singles (2), 10pf red vertical strip of five and 20pf ultramarine (Michel 46c, 47d, 48d), cancelled by "Windhoek c.d.s., minor crumpling and a few light tone spots, Very Fine three color quadruple rate franking.
Estimate 1,200 - 1,500
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Lot 4021

1897 (27 Feb.) German East Africa 5 pesa on 10pf stationery reply card to Tanga (9.5) via Cape Town, Durban (29.3), Zanzibar (28.4), and Dar-es-Salaam (29.4), bearing Eagle 10pf carmine (Michel 47d), cancelled by "Windhoek" c.d.s., small grease stain, nevertheless Very Fine and unusual, the sender being unaware that the card was valid for postage without need for uprating.
Estimate 400 - 500
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Lot 4022

1897 long envelope (355x129mm.) from "Siedelungsgesellschaft für Deutsche-Südwestafrika, Generalvertretung in Südwestafrika" to Berlin (26.10), bearing Eagle 20pf blue and 50pf lilac brown (Michel 48b, 50d) with 2m brown purple (Michel 37e), cancelled by "Windhoek" c.d.s., the envelope has a neat central vertical filing crease due to its length, Very Fine 16 times weight franking, a rarity with the 2m on cover.
Estimate 2,000 - 2,500
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Lot 4023

1898 (5 Jan.) 10pf letter card registered to Gross Lichterfelde (23.2), bearing Eagle 25pf orange and 1897 overprinted 5pf bluish green (Michel 49b, 2), cancelled by "Windhoek" c.d.s., with registration label, Very Fine.
Estimate 500 - 750
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Lot 4024

1894 envelope (Woermann Line Coat of Arms on reverse) with sender's endorsement "Swakopmund" to Berlin (28.9), via Hamburg (28.9), bearing Eagle 10pf brownish red (Michel 47c), crisply cancelled by framed "Aus/Westafrika" handstamp, envelope has creasing clear of stamps and is a little roughly opened at back, Very Fine and rare usage.
Estimate 2,500 - 3,000
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Lot 4025

1895 (5 June) 10pf stationery card to Charlottenburg (30.7) redirected to Lübben (31.7) via Cape Town, cancelled by "Swakopmund" c.d.s., card lightly folded in quarters, Very Fine early use from this newly opened post office.
Estimate 1,200 - 1,500

Provenance: J. and H. Walldorf

The card is datelined "Swakopmund, d. 30.V.95" which is the day of opening of the post office and 5 June probably represents the first despatch of mail from the post office.

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Lot 4026

1896 (10 Jan.) registered envelope from Tsaobis to Verden (18.2), bearing Eagle 20pf ultramarine (Michel 48d) vertical pair and single, cancelled by "Swakopmund" c.d.s. without year date, with registration label, cover slightly reduced at left and small opening fault there, Very Fine double rate registered cover.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
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Lot 4027

1896 (25 June) "Speisen-Folge" card of the Woermann Line datelined "Swakopmund 25.6.96" to Johannesburg, redirected to Frankfurt (28.7), bearing Eagle 20pf ultramarine (Michel 48d), cancelled by "G.P.O. Cape Town/Cape Colony" squared circle datestamp (8.7), card has minor corner creasing, Very Fine.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
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Lot 4028

1896 (30 June) envelope to Ludwiglust (15.8), bearing Eagle 5pf bluish green (Michel 46c) vertical interpanneau strip of four, cancelled by "Swakopmund" c.d.s., a few foxed perfs. and defective corner at lower left, cover slightly reduced at left, Fine and scarce.
Estimate 500 - 750

Provenance: L.F. Rapkin
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Lot 4029

1897 (13 Feb.) "Wecke & Voights, Swakopmund" corner card envelope to Hamburg (16.3), bearing Eagle 10pf red (Michel 47d) block of four, cancelled by "Swakopmund" c.d.s., one stamp has minor age spot, nevertheless Very Fine double rate franking.
Estimate 500 - 750

Expertization: signed Mansfeld.
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Lot 4030

1897 (12 Apr.) "Erhard & Schultz, Swakopmund & Omaruru" corner card envelope to Heidelberg (8.5), bearing Eagle 20pf ultramarine (Michel 48d) singles (2), cancelled by "Swakopmund" c.d.s., Very Fine.
Estimate 750 - 1,000

A VERY EARLY COVER CARRIED BY THE "LÜTWEIN" VIA CAPE TOWN.
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Lot 4031

1897 (May) envelope to "Deutsche Colonial-Gesellschaft für Südwest-Afrika" in Berlin (6.6), bearing Eagle 20pf ultramarine (Michel 48d) marginal strip of three and pair, cancelled by mute cancellations and showing "G.P.O./Cape Town" c.d.s. (17.5) adjacent, envelope reduced at left, Very Fine five times rate franking. Cf. Friedemann-Berichte 2456.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000

Expertization: signed Dr. Steuer BPP.
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Lot 4032

1888 (2 Sept.) envelope from G. Redecker, the son of the Redecker of Otyimbingue, to E. Hälbich (of Karibib) c/o E.H. Dose, Cape Town (27.9) via London (4.9), bearing 10pf and 50pf, cancelled by c.d.s., Very Fine cover to one of the well-known farming and trade families (Hälbich) in German South West Africa.
Estimate 300 - 400
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Lot 4033

1888 (19 Oct.) "Deutsche Colonial-Gesellschaft für Südwest-Afrika" corner card envelope to Hannover (9.1.89), via Cape Town (19.12), bearing Pfennig 20pf ultramarine (Michel 42c) vertical pair, cancelled by "Otyimbingue/Deutsch Südwest-Afrika" c.d.s., 40 Pfennig representing the U.P.U. foreign double rate (the Cape of Good Hope was not a member of the U.P.U.) and "5" in crayon for 5 pence onward transmission from the Cape to Germany, Extremely Fine and wonderful example of this very rare cancellation.
Estimate 12,000 - 15,000

Introduced on 10 August 1888, this canceller is known on only a few covers during the first period prior to the definitive establishment of the post office at Otyimbingue. There are two local covers, a defective postcard, two covers addressed to Germany, and an incoming cover recorded with this postmark during this period.

The first German postal agency in German South West Africa had been opened in Otyimbingue, the seat of the German Colonial Society, on 7 July 1888. By November, it was forced to move to Walfish Bay on account of attacks from the Herero, temporarily returning from 8 July to September 1889 and then again between mid-March and November 1891, before the postal agency was transferred on 7 December to Windhoek. The dates of the permanent post office in Otjimbingue were 30 May 1895 to 30 April 1914.

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Lot 4034

1895 (31 Aug.) registered envelope to Cape Town (14.9) via Swakopmund (5.9), bearing Eagle 10pf red and 50pf lilac brown (Michel 47d, 50d), cancelled by "Otjimbingue" c.d.s., with Otyimbingue registration label tied by "Walfish Bay/E" c.d.s. (7.9), envelope has tear at top right clear of stamps which are Very Fine.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
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Lot 4035

1896 (1 Jan.) envelope to Herford (18.2) via Swakopmund (11.1, without year date), bearing Eagle 20pf ultramarine (Michel 48d), cancelled by "Otjimbingue" c.d.s. (error of year date 95, with "5" corrected to "6" by hand), Very Fine.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000

Provenance: Grobe
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Lot 4036

1895 (2 Aug.) envelope to Barmen (6.10) via Swakopmund (30.8) and Cape Town (14.9), bearing Eagle 20pf ultramarine (Michel 48d), cancelled by "Omaruru" c.d.s., overstruck by "300" barred obliterator, showing "Walfish Bay/E" (7.9) c.d.s. adjacent, Very Fine usage on the second day of operation of the newly opened postal agency.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000

Provenance: Dr. Kretzschmar, Grobe
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Lot 4037

1896 (3 Jan.) envelope to Erfurt (19.2), bearing Eagle 20pf (Michel 48d) singles (2), cancelled by "Omaruru" c.d.s. without year date, minor cover tears at left, Very Fine.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000

Provenance: Grobe
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Lot 4038

1896 (17 Feb.) envelope to Pforta (24.3), bearing Eagle 10pf red (Michel 47d) vertical interpanneau pair, cancelled by "Omaruru" c.d.s., tiny piece of flap at back missing and stamp has minor gum soaks, Very Fine and distinctive.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500

Provenance: J. and H. Walldorf
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Lot 4039

1896 (21 Dec.) registered envelope to Hamburg (15.2.97), bearing Eagle 10pf carmine (Michel 47d) pair and singles (2), cancelled by "Omaruru" c.d.s., with registration label, tiny piece of envelope missing at lower left corner, Very Fine.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500

Provenance: Dr. Kretzschmar, Grobe
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Lot 4040

1897 (6 May) unfranked envelope to Duisburg (5.7), with manuscript "Omaruru/6.5.97", framed "T." handstamp and crayon "40" (pfennig) tax rating, envelope has some faults which are inconsequential for such an exceedingly rare provisional usage.
Estimate 12,000 - 15,000

Provenance: Konrad Starke

One of only two such recorded covers with this manuscript marking. The other cover was sent on the same date to Berlin (6.7) and taxed "80" pfennig (Köhler Auction No. 252, 9 October 1986, lot 2865). A third cover bearing stamps and showing this manuscript marking also dated 6 May 1897 addressed to Colögne (5.7) was recorded by Konrad Starke in "Die Post" (1906), p.266, but this has not been seen since then.

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Lot 4041

1896 (11 Mar.) envelope from Omupanda to the Rhenish Missionary Society in Barmen (11.5), endorsed "Abs. A. Wulfhorst Omupanda", below which in red ink is "Ovamboland. Portugiesischem Gebiet", and bearing Eagle 20pf ultramarine (Michel 48d), cancelled by "Omaruru" c.d.s., further Missionary Society endorsement on front "Omaruru Hereroland D.S.W. Afrika, Verbindungsstation mit Ovamboland", Very Fine and rare.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000

Provenance: Grothuesmann

The Rhenish Missionary Society established a mission at Omupanda Station in Ovamboland on 18 August 1892 under the auspices of missionary A. Wulfhorst.

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Lot 4042

1896 (18 Nov.) neat envelope (sender's cachet on reverse) to a missionary (A. Wulfhorst) in Omupanda, Ovamboland, bearing Eagle 10pf carmine (Michel 47d), cancelled by "Otjimbingue" c.d.s. and showing "Omaruru" transit c.d.s. (5.12, thick bar between day and month), vertical filing fold at left, Very Fine and rare internal cover.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000

Provenance: Fuchs
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Lot 4043

1895 (27 Sept.) envelope to Stederdorf (12.11) via Swakopmund (8.10), bearing Eagle 20pf ultramarine (Michel 48d) singles (2), cancelled by "Okah/Südwest-Afrika" Wanderstempel I, town name in manuscript, flap at back missing and one stamp has a few blunt perfs., Very Fine and exceedingly rare cancellation used just six weeks after the opening of the postal agency in Okahandja on 12 August 1895.
Estimate 12,000 - 15,000

Expertization: double signed Bothe BPP.

Provenance: Konrad Starke, Wollbrandt
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Lot 4044

1895 (4 Dec.) registered envelope to Torgan (19.2.96) via Otjimbingue (16.12) and Swakopmund (28.12), bearing Eagle 20pf ultramarine (Michel 48d) singles (2), cancelled by "Okahandja" c.d.s., with provisional registration label (No. 17) in manuscript, Very Fine and striking registered usage of the utmost rarity.
Estimate 6,000 - 8,000

Only four covers have been recorded with the provisional label.

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Lot 4045

1895 (30 Dec.) registered envelope to Braunschweig (18.2) via Otjimbingue (4.1.95, "5" corrected to "6" by hand), and Swakopmund (11.1, without year date), bearing Eagle 50pf lilac brown (Michel 50d) vertical pair, cancelled by "Okahandja" c.d.s., with provisional registration label (No. 25) in manuscript, envelope a little roughly opened at back, Very Fine and choice example of four times rate registered cover with this rare label.
Estimate 7,500 - 10,000

Expertization: 2001 Czimmek Certificate.
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Lot 4046

1896 (14 Mar.) registered envelope to Berlin (19.5), bearing Eagle 20pf ultramarine (Michel 48d) horizontal pair, cancelled by "Cape Cross/Deutsch Südwest/Afrika/14-III-96" in manuscript, with provisional registration label (No. 10) in manuscript, envelope reduced at foot, Extremely Fine.
Estimate 30,000 - 40,000

ONE OF THE MOST STUNNING FORERUNNER COVERS OF ANY GERMAN COLONY IN TERMS OF QUALITY, AESTHETICS, AND RARITY — A WONDERFUL AND PEERLESS EXHIBITION ITEM.
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Lot 4047

1896 (19 Mar.) 10pf stationery card to Kiel (8.4) via Swakopmund, cancelled by "Cap Cross/Deutsch Südwest/Afrika" c.d.s. (period before "19" instead of between "19" and "3"), Very Fine.
Estimate 500 - 750
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Lot 4048

1897 (Aug.) registered envelope from Cap Cross (with sender's endorsement) to Regensburg (28.8) via Cape Town (7.8), bearing Eagle 10pf carmine and 50pf lilac brown (Michel 47d, 50d), cancelled by crayon crosses in blue, with "Cap Cross" registration label, Very Fine and rare.
Estimate 1,200 - 1,500
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Lot 4049

1894 (Sept.) envelope from Keetmanshoop, to Salder (22.10) via Upington (27.9), endorsed "Abs. Reiter Wittrin Schutztruppe, Keetmannshoop, Deutsch S.W. Afrika", and bearing "British Bechuanaland" overprint on G.B. ½d pairs (3) and single, cancelled by "934" barred obliterator, with matching "Zwart Modder B.B." c.d.s. adjacent, some faults including damaged ½d at lower left and another ½d missing (to make up the 4d rate to Germany), Fine and rare usage.
Estimate 2,500 - 3,000

Provenance: Catteral

The agency at Zwartmodder was opened on 1 January 1894 and continued after annexation to the Cape in November, 1895. Only a few covers are known with these cancellations on the stamps of British Bechuanaland.

The cover originated in Keetmanshoop, which was approximately 100 miles west of Rietfontein. The route used to the Cape was probably via Hasuur and Rietfontein (Mier). Neither Keetmanshoop nor any place on the route to Zwartmodder had a post office.

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Lot 4050

1895 (Apr.) envelope from a soldier in Keetmanshoop to Spiergsten (21.5) via Cape Town (2?4), bearing Cape of Good Hope rectangular 2½d indistinctly cancelled by numeral barred obliterator, with "Steinkopf/Cape Colony" c.d.s. (22.4) adjacent, part of flap at back with sender's endorsement missing also affecting backstamps, Fine and rare routing.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500

The German Post Office in Keetmanshoop did not open until 15 October 1895, and this route was one of the fastest means of forwarding mail sent from Keetmanshoop. The letter is from the Morenga correspondence, and there is a similar letter with the soldier sender's address intact in the Grieshaber collection.

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