The Orange Free State (Oranje-Vrystaat) was an independent Boer Republic in southern Africa from 1854-1899. It then became a British colony and in 1910 a province of the Union of South Africa. Its capital was Bloemfontein.
The first Orange Free State stamps were issued in 1868. The design used was an orange tree with the inscription “Oranje Vrij Staat”. Due to shortages, there were many overprints on these early stamps, and some of these overprinted stamps command high prices today. When the British occupied the Republic in 1900, the previous stamps were overprinted “V.R.I.” (Victoria Regina Imperatrix). The Colony was renamed in August 1900 and Cape of Good Hope stamps were used overprinted with the new name “ORANGE/RIVER/COLONY”. In 1902 (after the death of Queen Victoria, and Edward VII’s accession to the British throne), a single 6d stamp was overprinted “E.R.I.” (Edward Rex Imperator). In 1903 a set was printed with Edward VII, a springbok and a gnu. This was re-printed for use from 1905 – 1909 and is the last set of the colony.
1869
Orange Tree Series
SG # 2
Used (Hinged)
SG # 68
Used (Hinged)
SG # 50
Used (Hinged)
1900
Stamps as 1869 (Overprinted V.R.I. & Value in figures)
SG # 112
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 113
Used (Hinged)
SG # 114
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 117
Used (Hinged)
SG # 118
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 120
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 121
Unused (Hinged)
SG # 122
Unused (Hinged)
Cape of Good Hope Stamps – Overprinted Orange River Colony
SG # 133
Used (Hinged)
SG # 134
Used (Hinged)
1903
King Edward VII Series
SG # 148
Used (Hinged)
SG # 140
Used (Hinged)
SG # 141
Used (Hinged)
SG # 142
Used (Hinged)
SG # 143
Used (Hinged)
SG # 150
Used (Hinged)
SG # 145
Used (Hinged)
SG # 146
Used (Hinged)