Bantus conquered the area as early as 800 AD and by 1100 they had
developed an important trade in gold and ivory. In the 16th century the
Portuguese sent missionaries and by 1629 they had reduced the empire to a
virtual slave state. By the 17th Century the Ndebele settled and in 1888
they granted mining rights to British colonialist Cecil Rhodes, but subsequent
white settlement brought warfare that continued until 1897.
In 1923 the British proclaimed Southern Rhodesia as a British colony.
And in 1963, white settlers pressed for independence, which the British
government refused without safeguards for ultimate Black - African control.
But in 1965 a Rhodesian white government, led by Ian D. Smith, declared
independence. In 1977 the Africans began a guerrilla campaign and won
independence on 31 December 1978.
Here is the very last issue of definitive postage stamps ( complete set )
issued by Rhodesia, officially attested by the First Day of Issue Postmark
on these envelopes of 16th August 1978. And the very first definitive
postage stamps ( complete set ) issued by Zimbabwe, also officially used
by the First Day of Issue Postmark on 18th April 1980, when the exact
same series was re-issued with the new country's name.
Featured on these stamps are :
1c to 7 c = gemstones / 9c to 17c = animals / 21c to $2 = waterfalls
Enclosed in each First Day Cover is a card giving
full information on these definitive stamps.
developed an important trade in gold and ivory. In the 16th century the
Portuguese sent missionaries and by 1629 they had reduced the empire to a
virtual slave state. By the 17th Century the Ndebele settled and in 1888
they granted mining rights to British colonialist Cecil Rhodes, but subsequent
white settlement brought warfare that continued until 1897.
In 1923 the British proclaimed Southern Rhodesia as a British colony.
And in 1963, white settlers pressed for independence, which the British
government refused without safeguards for ultimate Black - African control.
But in 1965 a Rhodesian white government, led by Ian D. Smith, declared
independence. In 1977 the Africans began a guerrilla campaign and won
independence on 31 December 1978.
Here is the very last issue of definitive postage stamps ( complete set )
issued by Rhodesia, officially attested by the First Day of Issue Postmark
on these envelopes of 16th August 1978. And the very first definitive
postage stamps ( complete set ) issued by Zimbabwe, also officially used
by the First Day of Issue Postmark on 18th April 1980, when the exact
same series was re-issued with the new country's name.
Featured on these stamps are :
1c to 7 c = gemstones / 9c to 17c = animals / 21c to $2 = waterfalls
Enclosed in each First Day Cover is a card giving
full information on these definitive stamps.
