randyharper
Member 
Right is the only thing left.
Posts: 199 
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Post by randyharper on Mar 6, 2014 19:22:56 GMT
This stamp is from South Africa. Got that, but what is the DOUANE overprint. Anyone know if it has a catalog number. Any help would be appreciated.  |
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tomiseksj
Moderator 
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,262
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Mar 6, 2014 19:57:01 GMT
I can't help with a catalog number but "douane" is French for "customs."
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randyharper
Member
Right is the only thing left.
Posts: 199
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Post by randyharper on Mar 6, 2014 19:59:00 GMT
Thanks Steve, so it was probably a overprint for a customs label. I won't find that in the Scott catalog. Thanks - Wonder why it would be in French though for South Africa.
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Mick
Member
Site Supporter
Posts: 929
What I collect: Mostly covers and postmarks. Also miscellaneous paper ephemera.
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Post by Mick on Mar 6, 2014 22:33:16 GMT
'Douane' is also the Afrikaans word for customs.
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Post by paul1 on May 31, 2022 14:05:10 GMT
I had some v.g. S.A. material a year or so back - some with overprints etc., and these 1930s Springbok and 'Dromedaris' are common stamps, but I hadn't been aware of seeing this DOUANE overprint in that lot, until I found a couple of old cheap albums at a boot sale recently and up popped up these two. Apparently Douane means Customs in French, Dutch and Africaans (understandable since the Dutch colonized S.A. a long time back). I recognized the word to mean 'customs' since one of my favourite French artists - Henry Rousseau - was nicknamed 'le douanier' - apparently he worked as a tax collector at toll stations at some period in his life. Anyway, would anyone like to add to what's already been said about what appears to be a less than common overprint. Both stamps came to me as singles - not the frequently seen pairs with English and Afrikaans spelling. thanks. P.S. part of the benefit of adding this picture is because the original has timed out and disappeared.  |
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JeffS
Member
Posts: 2,597
What I collect: Oranges Philately, US Slogan Cancels, Cape of Good Hope Triangulars, and Texas poster stamps and cinderellas
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Post by JeffS on May 31, 2022 16:03:12 GMT
paul1 These DOUANE and CUSTOMS (English language version) stamps were affixed to incoming printed matter deemed to be commercial advertising materials, and the fee was paid by the recipient (unless, of course, it was refused.)
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JeffS
Member
Posts: 2,597
What I collect: Oranges Philately, US Slogan Cancels, Cape of Good Hope Triangulars, and Texas poster stamps and cinderellas
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Post by JeffS on May 31, 2022 16:11:41 GMT
paul1 Here is an example of the 3d value with English language overprint, CUSTOMS DUTY, 2 lines in red.
If you can use it I am happy to mail it to you. Jeff
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Post by paul1 on May 31, 2022 16:13:15 GMT
many thanks Jeff - assume you mean incoming to U.K. - they are certainly less than common from what I can gather - perhaps not much advertising material coming in c. 1930. That 3d. is nice, and appreciate the generosity - I can certainly use it thanks. How do I get my address to you please - and when sending please include yours - am sure I will have something you might want, some day:-)
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JeffS
Member
Posts: 2,597
What I collect: Oranges Philately, US Slogan Cancels, Cape of Good Hope Triangulars, and Texas poster stamps and cinderellas
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Post by JeffS on May 31, 2022 16:14:57 GMT
No sir, incoming to the Union of South Africa.
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Post by paul1 on May 31, 2022 16:17:36 GMT
ah, bisto - that may explain perhaps why they are less than common.
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JeffS
Member
Posts: 2,597
What I collect: Oranges Philately, US Slogan Cancels, Cape of Good Hope Triangulars, and Texas poster stamps and cinderellas
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Post by JeffS on May 31, 2022 16:21:30 GMT
paul1 I'm still looking for a mint pair of the 6d Orange Tree. You can PM it to me or I can look it up if it is listed in the member's list
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Post by paul1 on May 31, 2022 16:54:30 GMT
all now sorted Jeff - have sent you a pm with details. Will have a look re your request. cheers.
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Post by paul1 on May 31, 2022 20:13:17 GMT
Hi Jeff - have to apologise - I have only the one pair of 6d. orange tree in mint - and as much as I'd love to help I know you will understand my reluctance to part with it. Will keep my eye out for another pair:-)
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Post by clivel on Jun 1, 2022 17:53:48 GMT
These stamps were used to prepay the duty on printed matter prior to it being mailed to South Africa. These were available for purchase from the High Commissioner of the Union of South Africa in London, and also from the South African Consul General in New York, I am not aware as to whether they were available from other sources or in other countries.
As these stamps were revenue stamps, not intended to pay postage, it was likely more by chance than intention that they would have received a postmark from the originating post office.
It is a misconception to think that these, like many other Union of South Africa stamps were issued bilingually, that is overprinted in both English and Afrikaans. In actual fact they were issued with the English language Customs Duty overprint until around 1930, after which the overprint was switched to the French Douane.
The Afrikaans word for Customs is actually Doeane not Douane.
It is unclear to me as to why the switch to French, but I can only speculate that this may have had something to do with international customs regulations as many international organizations conducted business in French.
Clive
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Post by paul1 on Jun 1, 2022 20:20:16 GMT
hi clivel - thanks for the extended explanation, also the spelling correction - very interesting to have more on the history aspect:-)
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JeffS
Member
Posts: 2,597
What I collect: Oranges Philately, US Slogan Cancels, Cape of Good Hope Triangulars, and Texas poster stamps and cinderellas
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Post by JeffS on Jun 1, 2022 22:02:55 GMT
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Post by paul1 on Jun 9, 2022 12:31:38 GMT
pleased to say Jeff's generous offer of the 3d. CUSTOMS DUTY (in red) arrived today and very securely posted too, so my sincere thanks to Jeff for this gift. There must be something in the way of a U.K. issue that I might offer in exchange Jeff, in place of the 6d Orange Tree pair? :-) let me know some time.
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