Johannesburg Postmark Types
Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR)
J1 - early types and miscellaneous
Type J1a Framed oval with 'Johannesburg' around the top following the curve of the oval, the date in one line in the middle and an ornament (3 dots over two lines) at the bottom. Size is approximately 32 x 23 mm. Known used in both black and purple ink from July 1888 to July 1889. Rated 3R
Type J1b truncated double circle 28 mm in diameter with 'Johannesburg.' around the left hand side and top right and 'Z.A.R.' on the right hand side both following the curve of the oval. The date is in one line in the middle section with a thick black line above and below separating the inner circle into three sections with a time code letter in both the top and bottom sections. Known used from July 1888 to August 1889. Rated 3R
Type J1c barred triangular obliterator with the letters 'ZAR' in the corners ('Z' at top, 'A' at bottom left and 'R' at bottom right" and '3' in the centre between 2 thick black lines. Extremely rare on cover. Seen on cover 8 January 1890. Also known with the numeral '3' inverted. Rated 2R on stamp and 3R inverted or on cover
Type J1d three types used at the Johannesburg railway station; J1d (i), a framed one line handstamp, J1d (ii), a framed three line handstamp and J1d (iii), an unframed one line handstamp. Known used from December 1892 to January 1895. Rated 3R
J2 - single circle
Type J2a four types used; J2a (i), a single circle 21mm in diameter with 'Johannesburg' curving around the top, a large dot at the bottom and the date in the centre in two lines, J2a (ii), same as J2a (i) but with a code letter or star, J2a (iii), a single circle 23mm in diameter with 'Johannesburg' curving around the top, a large dot at the bottom and the date in the centre in two lines and J2a (iv), same as J2a (iii) but without a date. J2a (i) known used from June 1887 to April 1888 and rated 3R; J2a (ii) known used from August 1888 to December 1889 and rated 3R; J2a (iii) known used from December 1892 to November 1893 and rated Rare on stamp and 2R on cover, while J2a (iv) is rated 3R
Type J2b single circle 23 mm in diameter with 'Johannesburg' curving around the top, 'Z.A.R.' at the base and two dots either side in-between. There is a time code letter and below that the date on two lines; the top line is the month in two letters followed by the day and below that is the year is in 2 figures. Dates seen range from 12 May 1890 to 2 January 1893. Code letters seen so far are B, C, D, D inverted, E, E inverted, F and I. Rated Rare on stamp and 2R on cover
J3 - squared circle
Type J3a Squared single circle 22 mm in diameter with 'Johannesburg' curving around the top and no wording at the base. There is a three line date, day in the top line, month in two letters in the middle line and below that is the year is in 4 figures. Seen in blue or black ink from March 1892 to October 1893/ Rated 3R
Types
Type J1c
Type J1d
Type J2a
Type J2b
Type J3a
