British South West Africa Postage Stamps year 1930 – 1940
The philatelic period for British South West Africa (SWA, modern-day Namibia) between 1930 and 1940 is dominated by its first and second major definitive stamp series, along with a few important commemorative issues.
During this time, SWA was a League of Nations Mandate administered by the Union of South Africa, reflected in the stamps being bilingual (English and Afrikaans) and often printed in horizontal se-tenant pairs.1
🖼️ 1931 Pictorial Definitive Issue
The most significant and long-lasting set from this period is the 1931 Pictorial Definitive Issue (released March 5, 1931). This was South West Africa’s first definitive set featuring local scenes and wildlife, moving away from simple overprinted South African stamps.
- Design Theme: The set features various iconic South West African landmarks and wildlife, such as the Gemsbok (oryx), Mountain Zebra, Lüderitz Bay, Kori Bustard, Cape Cross, and the Quiver Tree.
- Bilingual Pairs: The lower values (½d to 1s) were printed in horizontal se-tenant pairs with the inscription in English on one stamp (“South West Africa”) and Afrikaans on the adjacent stamp (“Suidwes Afrika”).
- High Values: The high values (up to £1) featured the King George V portrait alongside a local pictorial vignette, such as the Gemsbok Head or Grootfontein Otavi Railway Head.
- Printers: The stamps were recess-printed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co.
👑 Commemorative and Coronation Issues
Several commemorative and royal issues were released, typically in conjunction with the Union of South Africa and the wider British Commonwealth:
| Year | Issue Name | Subject/Commemoration | Key Features |
| 1935 | King George V Silver Jubilee | 25th Anniversary of King George V’s Accession. | Set of 4 values, common Commonwealth design format, issued in bilingual pairs. |
| 1937 | King George VI Coronation | Coronation of King George VI. | Set of 4 values (½d, 1d, 1½d, 3d), common Commonwealth design featuring the new King. |
| 1938 | Voortrekker Centenary | Commemorating the Great Trek (1838). | Issued in bilingual pairs, often featuring scenes related to the Great Trek and the Voortrekker Monument. |
👑 1937 King George VI Definitive Issues
Following the abdication of Edward VIII and the coronation of King George VI in 1937, SWA began replacing the older King George V definitives.
- The 1937 Definitive Issue saw the gradual replacement of the older pictorials with stamps featuring the portrait of the new King George VI, while retaining the local pictorial backgrounds and the characteristic bilingual pair format.
- The transition from the 1931 pictorials to the George VI portrait issues continued throughout the late 1930s.
The stamps from this decade are popular due to their detailed pictorial designs and the distinctive bilingual pairs, which are a unique collecting feature of the South African territories.
