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		Basuto Byways


	As with previous editions of this occasional series of visits to the colonies, we are indebted to the collections of John Cooper for most of the illustrations.

Maseru

It’s hardly surprising that most Basutoland covers bear the postmark of the capital of this mountainous kingdom, Maseru, “Place of the red sandstone”. With this cover to the U.S.A., 4d pays the registration and the 3d in stamps pays the foreign rate. 1936 backstamps of New York (8 Ja) & Chicago (9 Jan).

Mafeteng

This city is the capital, or “Camptown”, of the eastern district of Mafeteng. The sender of the cover to England shown here was lucky not to have it taxed after franking it sufficient only for the local rate of 1d instead of the empire rate, 2d. (Cds: Mafeteng Au 28 35).

Butha-Buthe

With this cover the 1d local rate is justified since Johannesberg is also within the South Africa postal administration. Cancelled Buthabuthe, (capital of the most northerly district - of the same name) on 26 Jul 35.

Morija

A registered cover to Scotland, cancelled Morija, (home of Basutoland’s most important historical and cultural sites), 17 Oct 35, with backstamps of Morija, Maseru (18 Oct) & Bloemfontein (18 Oct). 2d pays empire rate and 4d for registration.

Qacha’s Nek

A postcard to the Isle of Wight at the empire postcard rate of 1d, cancelled 16 Dec from Qachasnek - only town of the district (of the same name) in the south-east of the country.

Mohale’s Hoek

The 1d stamp uprates the 1/2d printed stationery postcard to make the correct foreign postcard rate, cancelled 14 Oct 36 Mohaleshoek, (a town destroyed in the Gun War of 1880), with additional dated postmaster’s handstamp.


	Thababosigo - or Thaba Bosiu An airmail cover to Paris, cancelled Thababosigo, (located between the Orange and Caledon rivers, 24km east of the capital, Maseru), on 14 Aug 35, with Paris datestamp of 29.8.35. Sent at the inclusive European airmail rate of 1/-.



		Teyateyaneng A parcel wrapper from Teyateyaneng, (capital of Berea, situated on a high plateau), 23 Dec 35 to Leribe, then folded inside out and reused with the 6d value, cancelled Leribe 28 Dec 35, and sent on to Balfour, Transvaal.




Quthing The cds of Quthing, (the country’s southernmost town - rebuilt after being abandoned in the Gun War), is dated 19 Oct 35, which, John notes, predates Proud’s recording of R2 by ten days. A backstamp of Aliwal (South Africa) is dated 22 Oct 35.


	Some various other postmarks....


	Tailpiece A bisect of a 1d stamp on an unsealed last day of issue cover, tied by Mohaleshoek cds 31 Dec A35. Though undoubtedly philatelic, the bisecting is believed to have been authorised due to shortage of the 1/2d definitives at the time.

	AJA - May 2011