PRETORIA, Z.A.R. (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek) to Canton China 2 May 1898, a long-sized cover addressed to German Imperial Consul Canton
PRETORIA, Z.A.R. (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek) to Canton China 2 May 1898, a long-sized cover addressed to German Imperial Consul Canton China, affixed block of four Z. AFR. REPUBLIEK 2-1/2 d, 1x ½ d, 1x 1-penny, all six stamps were cancelled by three long-sized registered box in black "R/GEREGISTREERD PRETORIA ZA.R./2 ΜΕΙ 98", adjacent to that, cancelled by oval UK registered mark "REGISTERED LONDON/20 MY/98", numeral handstamp "2385", On the reverse side, cancelled by partial HK transit c.d.s. dated JUNE 23, 98. ZA.R. (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek) was formerly known as South African Republic, an independent Boer-ruled republic in Southern Africa during the 19th century. It existed from 1852 to 1902, until it was annexed by the British Empire following the Second Anglo-Boer War. Pretoria is the administrative capital of S.A. today.比勒陀利亞,南非共和國(Z.A. R.)掛號郵品寄往中國廣州 1898年5月2日,一件長格式信封自南非共和國(Z.A. R.,Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek)首都比勒陀利亞寄往中國廣州德意志帝國領事館,貼有南非共和國郵票共六枚:包括一組2-1/2便士四連票,以及各一枚便士與1便士郵票。全部郵票以三枚黑, 色長框掛號戳「R/GEREGISTREERD PRETORIA Z. A. R./2MEI 98」銷戰,旁蓋一枚英國橢圓形掛號戰「REGISTERED LONDON / 20 MY / 98」,以及數字掛號戳 2385. 封背則見香港中轉日戳,日期為1898年6月23日(局部清晰可辨)。 南非共和國(Z. A.R.)為19世紀布爾人統治的獨立國家,存在於1852年至1902年。 後於第二次布爾戰爭後被英國吞併。比勒陀利亞為該共和國首都,至今仍為南非的行政首都。 此件掛號郵品寄自19世紀極為罕見的異國地點,具備相當的郵政與歷史研究價值。
