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Short history of the official Transkei Fishing Fly Postage Stamp series
by Mr. Barry Kent
In 1976 Barry Kent and partners, in co-operation with the Republic of
Transkei Development Corporation, established a fishing fly manufacturing
plant at Butterworth, Transkei, Southern Africa. The company was named
HIGH FLIES (PTY) LIMITED. The pricing, quality and marketing of the flies
produced there proved very successful. By 1979 High Flies was employing 360
local people, producing in excess of 1000 dozen flies per day and exporting
to all parts of the Globe.
It was at this time that the Barry Kent met Mr. Herman Stein of the Philatelic
Services of Southern Africa (the controlling authority for postage stamps
issues in southern Africa) and discussed the possibility of promoting industries in the
Transkei through official postage stamps. So the idea of depicting fishing
flies on postage stamps was born.
The outcome was a five year series of 25 fishing fly stamps. Five new designs
were issued each year from 1980 to 1984.
Art direction for this series was by Barry Kent and the artwork was executed
by a prominent South African stamp artist, Mr A. H. (Barry) Barrett.
THESE POSTAGE STAMPS ARE THE FIRST EVER, IN THE HISTORY OF PHILATELY WORLDWIDE,
TO DEPICT FlSHING FLIES!
Since the day of each issue, these stamps have greatly increased in value. The
1980 first day cover envelope is catalogued at over 80 times the day of issue
price and the value continues to increase. All of the fishing fly stamps were
produced in sheets of 25 se-tenant.
In 1980 only the top four rows of stamps were used on first day envelopes. A
major error was discovered when the 1981 (second issue) first day envelope was
issued on 15 January, 1981. The bottom (control strip) set of stamps was
accidentally used on +-6% of the first day envelopes issued. This envelope is
now called “The Wickham’s Fancy First Day Envelope”. The day of issue price of
the Wickham’s Fancy envelope was 74c. They are now catalogued at over $100 each.
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Mr. Barry Kent (right) presenting one of his presentation frame sets of stamps, FDCs and tied flies to
the American Museum of Fly Fishing located in Manchester, Vermont.
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