Southern Rhodesia

Southern Rhodesia was a self-governing British colony in southern Africa from 1923 until the formation of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in 1953. Originally administered by the British South Africa Company, the territory developed a distinct settler political system dominated by its white minority government while remaining formally under British sovereignty. After the federation dissolved in 1963, the government in Salisbury continued under white minority rule and in 1965 issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence, becoming the unrecognized state of Rhodesia. The territory ultimately transitioned to majority rule and became the independent nation of Zimbabwe in 1980.Southern Rhodesia issued a distinctive range of postage stamps that reflected both its imperial ties and its local identity. Early issues featured British monarchs and traditional colonial designs, while later stamps increasingly depicted the landscapes, wildlife, and industries of the territory. Many were engraved and printed by leading British security printers such as Waterlow & Sons and De La Rue, giving the issues their characteristic fine engraving and classical style.Southern Rhodesia used the British imperial currency system of Pounds, Shillings and Pence (1 Pound = 20 Shillings = 240 Pence), which appears on the denominations of its stamps.

1924 - Southern Rhodesia 1 Penny - Admiral Definitive

First issued on 1 Apr 1924 1 PennyKing George V Admiral DefinitiveWaterlow & Sons LtdSG GB SR 2This stamp is knwn as the Admiral Definitive series since it features King George V in a naval uniform. George V had a genuine career in the Royal Navy before becoming King, and he often preferred to be depicted in naval uniform.The artwork is based on a photograph by H. Walter Barnett. This was a departure from the traditional side-profile portraits used on earlier British and colonial stamps. The level of detail in the beard, the facial features, and the fabric of the uniform is a hallmark of the high-quality recess printing used by Waterlow & Sons.The admiral cap features the fouled anchor badge (an anchor entwined with a rope) surrounded by laurel leaves.The cancellation myteriously says '20 Jan 88' which is impossible since the stamp was itself issued in 1924. One explanation is that the 88 does not refer to the year, or that the post office cancelling the letter made a mistake on the seal.

1935 - Southern Rhodesia 1 Penny - Field Marshal Definitive

Date of Issue: 19351 PennyKing George V Field marshal DefinitiveBradbury, Wilkinson & Co. Ltd.SG GB SR 16b
Unlike the admiral series released in the 1920s this stamp features King George V in a field marshal's uniform. It is distinguished from the 1931 and 1933 scarlet King George Definitives by the line 14 perforation. The 1931 was line 12 and the 1933 one was comb 11.5.This stamp features the King's portrait in an oval design flanked by hanging garlands of fruit and leaves - likely Cape Goosberries or a similar local botanical motif. Thiese stamps also reversed the position of 'Southern Rhodesia' and the "Postage & Revenue" captions fro m the earlier Admiral series.The cancellation shows a rectangular stamp which was usually used for parcels or a registered letter. The letters indicate "IN" on the top right hand corner, "SIAN" on the next line followed by "NE" on the bottom. The "SIAN" is probably "RHODESIAN".

1937 - Southern Rhodesia King George VI Definitive

Date of Issue: 25 Nov 19371, 1/2 PennyKing George VI DefinitivesBradbury, Wilkinson & Co. Ltd.SG GB SR 40 (Green), 41 (Red)
These were the first stamps of King George VI released after the initial coronation commemoration stamps of May 1937. The King is dressed in ceremonial military uniform with the Order of the Garter star around his neck and several other medals pinned to his chest. The artwork is much more modernist and devoid of the Victorian style motifs from the previous King George V stamps. Even the lettering used for 'Southern Rhodesia' was printed in a more minimalist geometric sans serif font.

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