South Africa postage stamps Swaziland, SWA Basutoland year 1945 unused MH stamps
That is a great request! The year 1945 was significant in the postal history of South Africa and the three High Commission Territories (Basutoland, Swaziland, and Bechuanaland—though you didn’t ask for the latter).
All four territories participated in a special issue to mark the end of World War II.
🕊️ The 1945 Allied Victory Overprint Issues
In 1945, all three territories (Basutoland, Swaziland, and South West Africa) issued stamps by overprinting a current definitive stamp of the Union of South Africa with the name of the territory.
The overprint was applied to the 1-pence stamp from the 1940-45 definitive series, featuring the “Seated Hope” allegory.
1. South Africa (Union of South Africa)
The Union of South Africa itself did not issue a specific Victory overprint set. However, a major commemorative set was issued immediately after this period:
- Issue: Peace/Victory Commemorative Stamps
- Date of Issue: 1946 (January 1946, not 1945)
- Theme: Commemorating the return of Peace after World War II.
- Scott/Stanley Gibbons (SG) Numbers: SG 105-106 (a 1d and 3d stamp).
- Note: South Africa also issued a Christmas (Kersfees) stamp in late 1945 (Scott 104, SG 104), a red 1d stamp with a festive design.
2. Basutoland (now Lesotho)
- Issue: Victory Commemorative Overprints
- Base Stamp: South Africa 1d (carmine/brown) “Seated Hope” definitive stamp.
- Overprint: The name “BASUTOLAND” in a single line, often in black or violet ink.
- Catalogue Numbers: SG 106
- Note: Catalogue listings also show a set of six values (ranging from 1p to 3p) being overprinted for Basutoland in December 1945.
3. Swaziland (now Eswatini)
- Issue: Victory Commemorative Overprints
- Base Stamp: South Africa 1d (carmine/brown) “Seated Hope” definitive stamp.
- Overprint: The name “SWAZILAND” in a single line, usually in black ink.
- Catalogue Numbers: SG 120
- Note: The results also indicate a 3 Pence South Africa stamp overprinted “Swaziland” in 1945 (SG 121), showing a broader range of values being overprinted.
4. SWA (South West Africa, now Namibia)
- Issue: Victory Commemorative Overprints
- Base Stamp: South Africa 1d (carmine/brown) “Seated Hope” definitive stamp.
- Overprint: The abbreviation “SWA” in black ink.
- Catalogue Numbers: SG 116
- Note: The search results indicate a small set of South Africa stamps (ranging from 1p to 3p) were overprinted “SWA” in December 1945.
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