A Journey Into Cape Of Good Hope Philately: An Invitation To Fellow Collectors

Dear All,

My name is Howard Jooste, and I'm based in Pretoria, South Africa. I am an avid collector of Cape of Good Hope stamps and look forward to both contributing what knowledge I have to this community and learning from the more experienced collectors here.

My journey in philately began when, as a child, I came across a 2½c South African stamp from 1961. Although it held no monetary value, it captivated me. I treasured this single stamp, keeping it safe in my schoolbooks throughout my education. It wasn't until I started working that I had the means to expand my collection, buying everything from single stamps to full sheets and first-day covers from Southern African states.

In the mid-1980s, economic circumstances required me to put collecting on hold. It wasn't until 1991, when I moved to Pretoria, that my interest reignited. In 1994, I attended Nelson Mandela's presidential inauguration and purchased commemorative stamps for the occasion, sparking my passion once again. At this point, I began to complete my existing collections and acquired a Lighthouse Stamp Album, which included spaces for Union stamps I had yet to collect. I subscribed to local postal auctions to fill these gaps.

In 1998, while browsing an auction catalog from International Philatelic Services, I found a mint Six Pence triangular stamp from the Cape of Good Hope. I placed a modest bid, not expecting to win, but was thrilled to receive a billing confirmation shortly after. When I finally held the stamp, I was captivated by its beauty, marking a new chapter in my collecting journey. From that point on, I focused exclusively on building a Cape of Good Hope collection.

While Cape of Good Hope catalogs may list under 80 items, I've found remarkable depth and nuance in this area. My collection has grown significantly, and I've gained a solid understanding of many aspects. However, I know there is still much more to explore, and I invite fellow collectors to join me in expanding our knowledge.

I hope this forum will inspire discussions on the pre-adhesive period, proofs and variations of triangular and rectangular stamps, and the nuances of paper types and shades in triangular issues. Let's work together to deepen our understanding of Cape of Good Hope philately and support one another in this rewarding pursuit.

Warm regards.

Welcome Howard, I'm sure that your input will be most valuable here. Could you post a few examples of your COGH collection for good measure.
I remember reading an article in the South African Reader's Digest years ago, it must have been in the late 70's early 80's about the finds antique dealers were/had been making in the Western Cape and Karoo. There was a case where an antique dealer had had a heart attack after being invited into a farmhouse, only to realise that the entire interior had been wallpapered with sheets of Cape Triangles I don't remember much more than that, but it must have been a sight to behold.

Howard,

Collecting for the enjoyment of collecting, whatever that might be, is the name of the game. Don't hesitate to ask questions especially if you need basic information and especially more advanced sources of information for any possible topic. You should be able to find folks on this board a little further along on their collecting journey glad to share experiences.

My personal bias is a used stamp loses the story of its journey in the postal service when it is removed from the cover it transported to its destination. Collecting postal history adds a whole new aspect to your journey in our hobby.

Wishing you many enjoyable future days in our hobby. Russ