Salisbury Stamps
Salisbury, a name historically associated with the territory now known as Zimbabwe, was a British colony in Southern Africa. Its postal history is deeply intertwined with the administration of the British South Africa Company and later as a self-governing British territory, leading to issues under Rhodesian authority.
- Issued stamps
- 1890–1964
- Region
- Africa, Southern Africa
- Currency
- Rhodesian Pound
- Languages
- English
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- United Kingdom
About Salisbury stamps
Stamps from this period predominantly featured English inscriptions, reflecting the dominant administrative language. The territory underwent significant political transitions, culminating in the independence of Zimbabwe, which fundamentally altered its philatelic identity.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- RHODESIA
- BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA COMPANY
- SALISBURY
- SOUTHERN RHODESIA
- RHODESIA AND NYASALAND
How to identify Salisbury stamps
- Look for 'RHODESIA' or 'BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA COMPANY' inscriptions, often alongside 'SALISBURY' postmarks if on cover.
- Early issues often feature portraits of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V, or Cecil Rhodes.
- Later issues (post-1923) will typically bear 'SOUTHERN RHODESIA' or 'RHODESIA AND NYASALAND' inscriptions.
Popular series
-
British South Africa Company Issues
1890-1923
Early issues for Salisbury and Rhodesia under the administration of the British South Africa Company, often featuring Queen Victoria or Cecil Rhodes.
-
Rhodesia and Nyasaland Federation Issues
1954-1963
Stamps issued during the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, which included Salisbury, depicting local scenes, industries, and royal portraits.
-
Southern Rhodesia Definitive Issues
1924-1953
Definitive series for Southern Rhodesia, often featuring the 'Double Head' design (King George V and Queen Mary) or later monarchs.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- $0.50–$10
- Scarce stamps
- $100–$5,000+
Common Salisbury stamps, especially later definitives, are generally inexpensive. Early British South Africa Company issues, particularly high values, errors, or stamps on cover, can fetch significant prices. Condition is crucial.
Catalogs. Salisbury stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about Salisbury stamps
Salisbury stamps refer to the postal issues used in Salisbury, the capital city of what was then Southern Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe). These stamps were primarily issued under the authority of the British South Africa Company and later as part of Southern Rhodesia and the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, reflecting British colonial administration.
The value of Salisbury stamps varies widely. Common later issues are generally affordable, often in the range of a few dollars. However, early British South Africa Company issues, especially high denominations, rare varieties, errors, or stamps on original covers, can be quite valuable, potentially fetching hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Condition plays a significant role in determining value.
Salisbury stamps can be identified by inscriptions such as 'RHODESIA,' 'BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA COMPANY,' 'SOUTHERN RHODESIA,' or 'RHODESIA AND NYASALAND.' Early issues often feature British monarchs or Cecil Rhodes. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
Salisbury stamps are comprehensively listed in all major international stamp catalogs. Collectors can find detailed information, including varieties and values, in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (under Rhodesia/Southern Rhodesia), the Michel Katalog (under Rhodesien), and the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps Catalogue (under Rhodesia/Southern Rhodesia).
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