Category: Southern Rhodesia

The Grand Hotel (Byo.) Ltd. was constructed in 1899 in the Marshalls Building, Main Street, Bulawayo. In 1933 the hotel was extended along Main street frontage, replacing part of the original frontage. In 1953, when the Victoria Hotel opened, the hotel lost it’s pre-eminent status.

View More Southern Rhodesia Philately: The Grand Hotel (Byo.) Ltd.

The Union Agencies was situated in the Rayan Buildings, Abercorn Street, Bulawayo. It was one of the biggest manufacturer’s agents and brokers in Southern Rhodesia during the 1930s. It represented dozens of big and “fashionable” companies such as champagne producer Heidsieck and cognac producer Martell etc. The owner was Samuel…

View More Southern Rhodesia Philately: The Union Agencies (Bulawayo)

The Vumba Hotel was located in the Vumba mountains. The proprietor was Oswald Trevor Baker. Baker was the Mayor of Umtali from 1929 to 1932 and ran the hotel from the 1920s to 1930s.

View More Southern Rhodesia Philately: The Vumba Hotel

The New Selborne Hotel was located on Selborne Avenue, Bulawayo. It was owned by the South African Breweries Ltd. The hotel was originally built in the early 1930s. The hotel takes it name from Lord Selborne, High Commissioner of South Africa. Selborne visited Bulawayo in 1906, and in the following…

View More Southern Rhodesia Philately: New Selborne Hotel

1930 No new issues this year. 1931 1931 2nd Definitive Series 1932 1932 2nd Definitive Series (New Value) 1932 Victoria Falls 1933 No new issues this year. 1934 1934 2nd Definitive Series (New Value II) 1935 1935 George V Silver Jubilee 1935 Victoria Falls 1936 No new issues this year.…

View More Southern Rhodesia Philately: Stamps and Postal Products (1930-1939)

Meikle’s Hotel was officially opened on 5th November, 1915 in Salisbury. By 1916, an annex was added bringing the capacity to 160 rooms. Around 1930, it became part of Meikle’s Associated Hotels. In 1953 refurbishments were made to the front entrance, hotel foyer and dining room. References www.meikles.com

View More Southern Rhodesia Philately: Meikle’s Hotel (Meikle’s Associated Hotels)

The Southern Rhodesia Publicity Bureau was located in Scott’s Building, Main Street, Bulawayo. It was established in 1928 by the Government in conjunction with Rhodesia Railways. The first publicity conference was held January 1930 in Bulawayo under the chairmanship of the colonial secretary. The bureau promoted a number of district…

View More Southern Rhodesia Philately: Southern Rhodesia Publicity Bureau

London Bakery was located in Salisbury. The grocery and confectionary business was founded by Demetrios Psillos, who arrived in Southern Rhodesia from Lemnos, Greece, in 1927. Psillos was considered a Master Baker who was educated in Athens. Psillos married Matyanthe Kellaris in 1934. References The Central and East African Who’s Who…

View More Southern Rhodesia Philately: London Bakery

T Forbes & Son was a watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith business located on Abercorn Street, Bulawayo. Thomas Forbes arrived in Cape Town from Scotland in 1905 and proceeded to Bulawayo where he joined the well-known firm of Mr. William Caie, one of the leading watchmakers and jewellers in the town.…

View More Southern Rhodesia Philately: T Forbes & Son

Cooper & Nephews S.Af (Pty) Ltd had headquarters in Bulawayo. The original sheep-dip company, William Cooper & Nephews Ltd, was founded by William Cooper in 1843 in Berkhamsted, England.  The company was the first provider of commercial dip chemicals in South Africa. In 1927, J W Shoebotham, Technical Officer for…

View More Southern Rhodesia Philately: Cooper & Nephews S.Af (Pty) Ltd