No matter how many times these animals appear on our stamps, they always attract attention and are still among the most popular topics for thematic collectors, says Johan van Wyk, head of the SA Post Office?s philately division at the launch of the Big 5 stamp issue on 9 May 2014.
The Big Five stamps feature the illustrations of both first- and second-prize winners of the South African Post Office's 2013 postcard illustration competition. The stamp issue consists of an airmail postcard-rate self-adhesive stamp booklet and five postcards featuring oil paintings of the Big Five by the first-prize winner, Marius Trollip, and a B4 rate stamp sheet and first day cover, featuring water colour paintings by second-prize winner Annetjie Esterhuizen.
The Big Five, consisting of the lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant have appeared on various South African stamps in different styles and formats.
Among these are the 1996 additional values to the definitive issue, and a set of self-adhesive stamps issued in 2006 featuring photographs by Koos van der Lende. In 2008, a set of airmail postcard rate stamps were issued featuring cartoon-style drawings by cartoonist Dr Jack, while a set of Big Five stamps issued in 2010 feature artwork by Denis Murphy. The Baby Big Five stamps, issued in 2012, feature artwork by wildlife artist Alan Ainslie.
These stamps are available at all post offices and on www.virtualpostoffice.co.za at R7.30 each and R60.50 for the booklet. The first day cover sells at R39.50 and the postcards at R6.25 each.
The Big Five, consisting of the lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant have appeared on various South African stamps in different styles and formats.
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