Rhodesia Philately: 1967 Dr Leander Starr Jameson (1853-1917)

A single stamp was issued on 17th May, 1967, to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Dr. Leander Starr Jameson, who was very closely associated with Cecil John Rhodes in the early development of Rhodesia. Dr. Jameson accompanied the Pioneer Column that entered Mashonaland in July 1890 and was appointed Administrator of the territory, in succession to Mr. A. R. Colquhoun, the following year.

After the Matabele war of 1893, he was also appointed Administrator of Matabeleland. He took part in the disastrous raid into the Transvaal in 1895, after which he was tried and sentenced to 15 months imprisonment in London, but was released shortly afterwards on account of ill health. He took up politics again in the Cape, and became Prime Minister of that Colony in 1904, and was a member of the National Convention that drafted the Constitution of the Union of South Africa. In 1911, he became a Privy Councillor and received a baronetcy. He retired to London and died on 26th November, 1917. Diffident and utterly devoid from self-seeking, Jameson’s labours for racial reconciliation and material progress in South Africa were conspicuous, and the close friendship of Botha was a final proof of the quality of his patriotism

Details

Date of Issue: 17 May 1967
Date Withdrawn: 31 August 1967
Date Invalidated: 15 August 1970
Designer: Mardon Printers based on a portrait by Frank Moss Bennett
Printer: Mardon Printers (Pvt.) Ltd., Salisbury, Rhodesia
Process: Lithography
Paper: Chromo with creamy/brown gum
Watermark: None
Perf: 14.5 (comb)
Cylinders: See note below*
- 1A (Black) 1A (Yellow) 1A (Magenta) 1A (Cyan)
- 1B (Black) 1B (Yellow) 1B (Magenta) 1B (Cyan)
Sheet: R6 x 10 (60 stamps)
Quantity:
- 120,000 (1A)
- 48,000 (1B)

Note: The stamps were to have been produced in two panes, but due to the varying humid conditions prevailing at the time, it was found that the 1B plates were failing to register properly, and it was consequently decided to cut the printing plate in half and to print each pane separately. The second printing was undertaken on a Roland four-colour printing machine, whereas the lA panes were printed on a two-colour machine. The second printing took place at night when it was not easy to match the colours and consequently there is a difference in the two printings—the green of the 1B pane being of lighter colour.