This is the overview page for the Johannesburg numeral postmarks. They number from 1 to 174, and with 13 not yet seen that means there are 161 different numeral numbers. Most of the numerals have more than one different type resulting in 469 different postmarks - many of them scarce and elusive
Ralph Putzel in his The Postmarks of South Africa and Former States and Colonies 10 vols (Johannesburg is listed in Volume 4), termed these postmarks counter numerals and listed them in numerical order (Johannesburg 23 - 592a) but as the same types appear for different numerals it makes sense to classify them by type as well. I have identified 18 types (a - r). Where there is more than one significant difference for a specific numeral type (eg both letters and roman numerals for the month or both a normal or reversed year) they are shown as follows: 1j (i), 1j (ii) etc with a brief description explaining the difference. At the bottom of each numeral page I map the types to Putzel's numbers
Differences in postmark diameter sizes, codes and time varieties are not listed separately otherwise it just becomes too complicated. My intent is to be comprehensive rather than exhaustive (flyspecking). This way it is not too daunting to follow and collect these interesting postmarks while being a springboard for anyone wanting to specialise further
The scarcity ratings and date ranges are provisional and will become more accurate over time as additional material is sighted. If you have any examples of numerals / types not seen or earliest or latest dates please send me scans to jeremy2929@gmail.com so that they can be added
Composite of the Johannesburg numeral types A - R
