The origin of this set goes back to 1951, when public pressure began to mount for a change in the country’s stamps. People were growing tired of the 2d. and 3d. ‘Victoria Falls’ denominations and the current set had already been on sale for 13 years. The colours of the current definitive set were, moreover, out of line with the requirements of the Universal Postal Convention. Stocks held by the Principal Distributor of Stamps, however, were sufficient to last until 1953. It was decided that the new issue would be ordered to coincide with this date. A committee consisting of representatives of the Mashonaland and Rhodesia Philatelic Societies, the Controller of the Printing and Stationery Department, the Director of Public Relations and the Assistant Postmaster-General, with the Postmaster-General as Chairman, was appointed to make recommendations to Government in connection with the new designs. With the death of King George VI the designs had to be changed to incorporate a cameo of the new Queen.
Ministry of Posts approval was given for the issue on 17th February 1952.
Details
- Date of Issue: 31 August 1953
- Date Withdrawn: 30 June 1954
- Date Invalidated: 1 January 1959
- Designer: From photographs by John Rau and Ronald D K Hadden (Department of Public Relations)
- Printer: Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd, New Malden, Surrey, England
- Process: Recess (4d vignette typographed)
- Paper:
- Watermark: None
- Perf: Comb
- 13.5 x 14 (2d, 6d, 5s.)
- 14 x 14 (10s, £1)
- 14 x 13.5 ( All others)
- Plates: None
- Sheet:
- R6 x 10 in four panes (½d & 1d)
- R10 x 6 (3d, 4d, 4½d, 9d, 1s, 2s, 2/6d)
- R6 x 10 (2d, 6d, 5s)
- R6 x 10 (10s, £1)
- Quantity:
Subjects
- ½d – Sable Antelope
- 1d – Tobacco Planter
- 2d – Rhodes’ Grave
- 3d – Farm Worker
- 4d – Flame Lily
- 4½d – Victoria Falls
- 6d – Baobab Tree
- 9d – Lion
- 1s – Zimbabwe Ruins
- 2s – Birchenough Bridge
- 2/6d – Kariba Gorge
- 5s – Basket Maker
- 10s – Balancing Rocks
- £1 – Coat of Arms
First Day Covers (Unofficial)
