The Paquebot and Foreign Handstamps Regulations drawn up by the Universal Postal Union governed the handling and mail matter landed from ships at the Cape of Good Hope and other members of the Universal Postal Union. Minor variations to these rules could be made within the framework of the general principles subscribed to by the…
In this web site the maritime postmarks of the Cape of Good Hope are divided into three sections. The marks applied on board ships at sea (the Cape of Good Hope Ocean Post Office postmarks) – dealt on this page, the marks applied on board ship in the harbour (the shipping postmaster’s handstamps and finally…
The First Maritime Contract 1851 The first contract for the carriage of mail between the United Kingdom and the Cape was awarded to the General Screw Steam Shipping Company and, on 27 January 1851, the Bosphorus became the company’s pioneer vessel, carrying the first contract mail to the Cape.
