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During the Boer War part of the British army was besieged in Mafeking between 23 March and 17 May 1900. As Mafeking was the postal headquarters for Cape of Good Hope (including former British Bechuanaland) and for the Bechuanaland Protectorate, the stamps available for temporary overprinting come from all three issues. The overprinted stamp issues were somewhat philatelic and widely forged at the time (very accurately, with very convincing postmarks, many “on piece”), even the genuine overprints are mostly cancelled to order. The 1d and 3d values soon ran out to be replaced by the “Baden Powell” and “Sergeant-major Goodyear” photographic issue.
Printing of the “MAFEKING / BESIEGED” Surcharges >>
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Forgeries >>
The 1887 Jubilee Issue 