Stamps of Zimbabwe: a historical collection

The stamp collection of Royston Purchase of Bulawayo, depicting the history of the country now known as Zimbabwe through its stamps.

Initially, I only collected Commemorative First Day Covers, but then expanded my collection to include Definitive issues as well. This is difficult in Zimbabwe at the moment, as most of the higher values were taken out of the country in the 1970's and 1980's as it was considered an easy way of removing assets. I am still looking for Federation and Southern Rhodesia Definitive higher values. British South Africa Company stamps were typically all definitives and many of these have always been difficult to find. I have recently started to expand my stamp collection to include the British Central Africa — Nyasaland Protectorate and Northern Rhodesia.

Three short movies describing the initiation of, and motivation for, the stamp collection

The Stamps

(Abbreviations: def.=definitive, comm.=commemorative, FDC=First Day Cover, BSAC= British South Africa Company, SRhod.= Southern Rhodesia, R&N = Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Rhod.= Rhodesia, Zim.=Zimbabwe)

1890 (def.): First issue, British South Africa Company (BSAC)
1894-1895 (def.): Second issue, BSAC
1896-1897 (def.): First issue, BSAC
1896-1897 (def.): Second issue, BSAC
1987 (def.): BSAC
1898-1908 (def.): First issue, BSAC
1898-1908 (def.): Second issue, BSAC
1901-1910 (def.): BSAC, overprinted "Rhodesia"
1905 (comm.): Opening of Victoria Falls Bridge, BSAC
1910 (def.): King George V and Queen Mary, BSAC & Rhodesia (Rhod.)
1913-1922 (def.): King George V, BSAC & Rhod.
1924 (def.): King George V, Southern Rhodesia (SRhod.) [First stamp as "Southern Rhodesia" after the BSAC broke up, and the three territories of the Federation were formed]
1931 (def.): King George V, SRhod. (set A))
1931 (def.): King George V, SRhod. (set A)
1932 (def.): Victoria Falls, SRhod. [This stamp was meant to be a 'Postage and Revenue' stamp, but 'Revenue' was accidentally omitted, and the stamp was reissued later in 1935 (see below)]
1935 (def.): Victoria Falls, SRhod. (these stamps complete set A)
1935 (comm.): Victoria Falls, SRhod.
1935 (comm.): Victoria Falls and King George V, SRhod.
1937 (comm.): Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, SRhod.
1937 (def.): King George VI, SRhod. [A new definitive issued on the coronation of the new King]
1940 (comm.): Southern Rhodesia's Jubilee, SRhod.
1943 (comm.): 50th anniversary of the occupation of Matabeleland, SRhod.
1947 (comm.): The Royal Visit: King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and two daughters Elizabeth and Margaret, SRhod. [Envelope franked by the post office on the Royal Train]
1947 (comm.): Royal Visit, SRhod.
1947 (FDC): Royal Visit, SRhod.
1947 (comm.): Second World War Victory, SRhod.
1949 (FDC): 75th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union, SRhod.
1950 (FDC): Southern Rhodesia's Diamond Jubilee, SRhod.
1953 (comm.): Coronation of Elizabeth II, SRhod.
1953 (FDC): Rhodes Centenary, SRhod.
1953 (comm.): Royal tour for the Rhodes Centenary Exhibition, SRhod.
1953 (def.): Queen Elizabeth II, SRhod. [A new definitive on the coronation of the new Queen]
1954 (def.): Queen Elizabeth II, Rhodesia and Nyasaland (R&N) (set B) [First definitive set of the Federation]
1955 (comm.): Livingstone, R&N
1956 (def.): Queen Elizabeth II, R&N (addition to set B above)
1959 (def.): Various features of the Federation, R&N
1960 (envelope): The Queen Mother's visit to open Kariba Dam, R&N [This is the stamp that started this collection]
1960 (comm.): The Queen Mother's visit to open Kariba Dam, R&N
1961 (FDC): 7th Commonwealth Mining and Metallurgical Congress, R&N
1962 (FDC): 30th Anniversary of Rhodesia-London Airmail Service, R&N
1962 (FDC): 30th Anniversary of Rhodesia-London Airmail Service, R&N
1963 (FDC): World Council of Young Men's Service Clubs, R&N
1963 (various stamps on envelope): R&N
1963 (FDC): Southern Rhodesia Red Cross Centenary, R&N
1963 (FDC): World Tobacco Congress, R&N
1964 (def.): Southern Rhodesia
1964 (def.): Southern Rhodesia, overprinted "Independence 11th November 1965"
1965 (comm.): Winston Churchill, Rhod.
1965 (FDC): Natural Resources Board Conservation Week, Rhod.
1965 (FDC): Rhodesia Independence
1965 (comm.): International Telecommunication Union Centenary, Rhod.
1965 (FDC): International Telecommunication Union Centenary, Rhod.
1966 (FDC): 20th Anniversary of Central African Airways, Rhod.
1966 (FDC, def.): Rhodesia
1966 (envelope): Southern Rhodesia, overprinted "Independence 11th November 1965", rejected as having "invalid stamps"
1966 (FDC, def.): Southern Rhodesia, overprinted "Independence 11th November 1965", rejected as having "invalid stamps"
1966 (FDC, def.): Rhodesia
1966 (FDC): Annual Conference of the Philatelic Federation of Southern Africa, Rhod.
1966 (FDC): Annual Conference of the Philatelic Federation of Southern Africa, Rhod.
1966 (FDC): Annual Conference of the Philatelic Federation of Southern Africa, Rhod.
1967 (FDC): Conserve Natural Resources, Rhod.
1967 (envelope): Dual values (2½ and 3d), Rhod.
1967 (FDC): 50th Anniversary of the death of Dr Leander Starr Jameson, Rhod.
1967 (FDC): 50th Anniversary of the death of Dr Leander Starr Jameson, Rhod.
1967 (FDC): 10th Anniversary of the National Gallery in Salisbury, Rhod.
1967 (FDC): 10th Anniversary of the National Gallery in Salisbury, Rhod.
1967 (envelope): 10th Anniversary of the National Gallery in Salisbury, Rhod.
1967 (def): Two currencies, Rhod.
1968 (def): Alfred Beit, Rhod.
1968 (FDC): 75th Anniversary of the occupation of Matabeleland, Rhod.
1968 (FDC): XVth World Ploughing Contest, Rhod.
1969 (FDC): 70th Anniversary of the opening of the Beira-Salisbury Railway, Rhod.
1969 (FDC): Bridges of Rhodesia, Rhod.
1964 (FDC): Sir William Henry Milton, Rhod.
1970 (def.): Second definitive (decimal), Rhod.
1970 (FDC): Mother Patrick, Rhod.
1970 (FDC): Inauguration of the Posts and Telecommunications Corporation, Rhod.
1970 (envelope): Rhodesia stamps, considered illegal, and surcharged
1970 (envelope): Rhodesia stamps, surcharged
1971 (FDC): Birds of Rhodesia, Rhod.
1971 (def.): Rhodesia.
1971 (FDC): Granite, Rhod.
1971 (FDC): Frederick Courtney Selous, Rhod.
1971 (envelope): Notification of Independence Settlement, Rhod.
1972 (FDC): Christmas, Rhod.
1972 (FDC): Dr Robert Moffat, Rhod.
1972 (FDC): Pollution, Rhod.
1972 (FDC): Rhophil, Rhod.
1973 (def.): Additional values, Rhod.
1973 (FDC): David Livingstone, Rhod.
1973 (FDC): World Meteorological Organisation, Rhod.
1973 (FDC): Responsible Government, Rhod.
1973 (envelope): Insufficient postage, additional British stamp used, Rhod.
1974 (def): Third issue, Rhod.
1974 (FDC): George Pauling, Rhod.
1974 (FDC): Universal Postal Union Centenary, Rhod.
1975 (FDC): Aloes, Rhod.
1975 (FDC): Thomas Baines, Rhod.
1975 (FDC): Occupational Safety, Rhod.
1976 (def.): Rhodesia.
1976 (FDC): Centenary of Telephone Transmission, Rhod.
1976 (FDC): Trees of Rhodesia, Rhod.
1976 (FDC): Vulnerable Species of Wildlife, Rhod.
1977 (FDC): Rhodesia through Artists' eyes, Rhod.
1977 (FDC): Birds of Rhodesia, Rhod.
1977 (FDC): Christmas, Rhod.
1978 (def.): Rhodesia.
1978 (FDC): 75th Anniversary of Powered Flight, Rhod.
1978 (FDC): Rhodesian Trade Fair, Rhod.
1978 (FDC): Rhodesian Trade Fair, Rhod.
1980 (comm.): Zimbabwe Rhodesia becomes Zimbabwe (Zim.), Rhod. & Zim.
1980 (FDC, def.): Rhodesia becomes Zimbabwe, Rhod. & Zim.
1980 (def.): First issue, Zim.
1980 (FDC): Moscow Olympics, Zim.
1980 (FDC): 75th Anniversary of the Post Office Savings Bank, Zim.
1980 (FDC): 75th Anniversary of the Post Office Savings Bank, Zim.
1980 (FDC): 75th Anniversary of Rotary, Zim.
1980 (FDC): 75th Anniversary of Rotary, Zim.
1980 (def.): Zimbabwe Independence Souvenir card, Zim.
1981 (FDC): International Year of Disabled Persons, Zim.
1981 (FDC): National Tree Day, Zim.
1982 (FDC): Rock Paintings, Zim.
1982 (FDC): 75th Anniversary of Scouting, Zim.
1982 (FDC): 75th Anniversary of Scouting Anniversary, Zim.
1982 (FDC): Anniversary of the discovery of Tuberculosis, Zim.
1983 (def.): New definitive, Bundi Falls, Zim.
1983 (FDC): Commonwealth Day, Zim.
1983 (FDC): World Communications Year, Zim.
1983 (FDC): 30th World Ploughing Contest, Zim.
1984 (FDC): Birds of Prey, Zim.
1984 (FDC): Heroes' Days, Zim.
1984 (FDC): Los Angeles Olympics, Zim.
1984 (booklet, cover): Los Angeles Olympics, Zim.
1984 (booklet, stamps): Los Angeles Olympics, Zim.
1984 (FDC): Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, Zim.
1985 (FDC): 50th Anniversary of the National Archives of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1985 (FDC): Introduction of Vending machine postal labels, Zim.
1985 (FDC): Earth Satellite Station, Mazowe, Zim.
1985 (FDC): Steam Safaris, Zim.
1985 (FDC): United Nations Decade for Women, Zim.
1985 (def.): Second issue, Zim.
1985 (def.): Second issue, Zim.
1986 (FDC): Harare International Conference Centre, Zim.
1986 (FDC): Moths of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1986 (FDC): Centenary of Motoring, Zim.
1986 (FDC): 8th Non-aligned Summit, Zim.
1986 (FDC): South African Development Co-ordination Conference, Zim.
1987 (FDC): Child Survival Revolution, Zim.
1987 (FDC): Pan African Decade of Duiker Research, Zim.
1987 (FDC): 75th Anniversary of Girl Guides, Zim.
1987 (FDC): Owls of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1988 (FDC): Zimbabwe Aloe, Zim.
1988 (FDC): Ducks of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1988 (FDC): Insects of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1988 (FDC): Works of Art from the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1989 (FDC): Endangered Species, Zim.
1989 (FDC): Fish of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1989 (FDC): Geckos of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1989 (FDC): Wild Flowers of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1990 (def., FDC): Third issue, Culture and Artefacts, Zim.
1990 (FDC): Centenary of Harare, Zim.
1990 (FDC): Natural Resources of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1990 (FDC): 36th Parliamentary Conference, Zim.
1990 (def., FDC): Third issue, Transport and Communication, Zim.
1990 (comm.): 10th Anniversary of Zimbabwe Independence, Zim.
1991 (FDC): Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Zim.
1991 (FDC): Small Mammals of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1991 (FDC): Traditional Instruments of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1991 (FDC): Wild Fruits of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1992 (FDC): Zimbabwe Animals of Prey, Zim.
1992 (FDC): Birds of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1992 (FDC): Butterflies of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1992 (FDC): Edible Mushrooms of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1993 (FDC): Minerals of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1993 (FDC): Orchids of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1993 (FDC): Owls of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1993 (FDC): Household Pottery of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1994 (FDC): Centenary of Bulawayo, Zim.
1994 (FDC): Christmas, Zim.
1994 (FDC): Export Flowers of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1994 (FDC): Fish of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1995 (def., FDC): Fourth issue, Agriculture, Zim.
1995 (FDC): 6th All Africa Games, Zim.
1995 (FDC): Insects of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1995 (def., FDC): Fourth issue, Mining, Zim.
1995 (def., FDC): Fourth issue, Mining, Zim.
1995 (def., FDC): Fourth issue, Historic Monuments and Landmarks, Zim.
1995 (FDC): 50th Anniversary of the United Nations, Zim.
1996 (FDC): Dams of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1996 (FDC): Flowering Indigenous Trees of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1996 (def., FDC): Addition to Fourth issue, Zim.
1996 (FDC): Scenic Views of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1996 (FDC): Zimbabwe Wood Carvings, Zim.
1997 (FDC): Cattle Breeds of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1997 (FDC): Meeting of the Conference of Parties to CITES, Zim.
1997 (FDC): Railway Centenary, Zim.
1997 (FDC): Aspects of Rural Life of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1998 (FDC): Bees and Beekeeping in Zimbabwe, Zim.
1998 (FDC): Birds of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1998 (FDC): Fossils of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1998 (FDC): Lesser Known Animals of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1999 (FDC): Cats of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1999 (FDC): Christmas, Zim.
1999 (FDC): Owls of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1999 (FDC): Tourist Activities of Zimbabwe, Zim.
1999 (FDC): 125th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union, Zim.
1999 (def., FDC): Fifth issue, Birds and Animals, Zim.
2000 (def. FDC): Fifth issue, Commerce and Industry, Zim.
2000 (def. FDC): Fifth issue, Development, Zim.
2000 (FDC): Health and Combating Disease, Zim.
2000 (FDC): First anniversary of the death of Joshua Nkomo, Zim.
2000 (FDC): National Sporting Activities in Zimbabwe, Zim.
2000 (FDC): Wild Fruits of Zimbabwe, Zim.
2001 (FDC): Aviation in Zimbabwe, Zim.
2001 (FDC): Eclipse of the Sun, Zim.
2001 (FDC): African Butterflies, Zim.
2001 (FDC): Dialogue among Civilisations, Zim.
2001 (FDC): African Folk Lore, Zim.
2001 (FDC): 21st anniversary of Independence, "A focus on the National Heroes Acre", Zim.
2002 (FDC): Childline, Zim.
2002 (FDC): Craftsmanship in Zimbabwe, Zim.
2002 (FDC): Gemstones of Zimbabwe, Zim.
2002 (FDC): 10th Anniversary of the death of Sally Frances Mugabe, Zim.
2002 (FDC): Technology, Zim.
2002 (FDC): Wild Flowers of Zimbabwe (series 2), Zim.
2003 (def., FDC): Additional stamp, Birds and Animals, Zim.
2003 (FDC): Harare International Festival of the Arts, Zim.
2003 (FDC): History Society of Zimbabwe, Zim.
2003 (FDC): Endangered Medicinal Herbs, Zim.
2003 (FDC): Spiders of Southern Africa, Zim.
2003 (FDC): Women Empowerment, Zim.
2004 (FDC): Aloes of Zimbabwe (series 2), Zim.
2004 (FDC): Conservation Practices in Zimbabwe, Zim.
2004 (FDC): Environment Africa, Zim.
2004 (FDC): Medals of Zimbabwe, Zim. [The main medal depicted here was given to all ZIPRA/ZANU army members and other ex-Rhodesians serving at the time of the elections in 1980.]
2004 (FDC): Anniversary of the death of Dr Simon Vengai Muzenda, Zim.
2004 (FDC, 1 stamp): South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA), Zim.
2004 (stamps): South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA), Zim. [Produced in South Africa. No FDC issued in Zimbabwe.]
2005 (FDC): Birds of Zimbabwe, Zim.
2005 (FDC): Birds of Zimbabwe, Zim.
2005 (FDC): 25th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Zimbabwe and China, Zim.
2005 (FDC): Cloud Formations, Zim.
2005 (FDC): HIV & AIDS, Zim.
2005 (FDC): World Heritage Sites of Zimbabwe, Zim.
2005 (FDC): Commemoration of four National Heroes, Zim.
2005 (FDC): Snakes of Zimbabwe, Zim.
2005 (FDC): Centenary of the opening of Victoria Falls Bridge, Zim.
2006 (FDC): African Dishes, Zim.
2006 (FDC): Bridges of Zimbabwe, Zim.
2006 (FDC): Commemoration of four National Heroes, Zim.
2006 (FDC): National Huts, Zim.
2006 (FDC): Commemoration of the life of Pope John Paul II, Zim.
2006 (FDC): Trees of the year, Zim.
2006 (FDC): Water Conservation and usage in Zimbabwe, Zim.
2007 (def., FDC): Addition to sixth issue, Zim.
2007 (FDC): Butterflies of Zimbabwe, Zim.
2007 (FDC): For Every Child, Life in all its Fullness, Zim.
2007 (FDC): Commemoration of the lives of four National Heroes, Zim.
2007 (Stamps): National Animals, Zim. [Issued in South Africa for Southern African Countries. No FDC issued in Zimbabwe.]
2007 (FDC): Centenary of Scouting, Zim.
2007 (FDC): Women creating Zimbabwe, Zim.
2008 (stamps): Rats and Mice, Zim.
2008 (brochure, cover): Rats and Mice, Zim.
2008 (brochure, inside): Rats and Mice, Zim.
2008 (brochure, technical details): Rats and Mice, Zim. [Includes details of the pricing codes Z, A, E, R, used on stamps in place of values, due to increasing inflation.]
2008 (FDC): Valentine's Day, Zim.
2008 (FDC): Commemorating the lives of four Heroes, Zim.

Contact:

Please send any comments or feedback to Helen Purchase at hcp@hotmail.co.uk.