Much has been written on the subject, yet Runner and Mailcoach, by Eric Rosenthal and Eliezer Blum, is unique. For the first time we have a comprehensive account in a single volume, not only of the postage stamps, but of the romantic and exciting postal developments in the entire sub-continent, and its adjacent islands.
South Africa, South West Africa, Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia (Zambia), Basutoland (Lesotho), Bechuanaland (Botswana) and Swaziland are all dealt with, as well as the old colonies and Boer states, including the New Republic of Stellaland, Goshen, defunct territories like Griqualand West and Zululand and such oddities as the Mount Currie Express. The Boer War is covered, as are South African ventures into the AntarcticMarion Island, Bouvet Island and Sanae to say nothing of Tristan da Cunha and so on.
But apart from the width of its scope, Runner and Mailcoach contains a mass of fascinating information on postal history and development, from the Bantu runner to the camel, the travelling post offices and the mail plane, much of it dug up for the first time by that master of the lesser-known aspects of South Africa, Eric Rosenthal, the Quiz Wizard, who also deals with unfamiliar matters like our overseas mail packets before the days of steamers, and the postal arrangements of the Voortrekkers.
Eliezer Blum, recognized internationally as a philatelic expert and a leading authority on the stamps and postal history of Southern Africa, has, in addition, provided a guide to the recognition and values of stamp issues with invaluable advice on the detection of forgeries, reprints and fakes. He has dealt, often in great detail, with the old colonies, added to a complete listing of the stamp issues.
The following countries have been given the same philatelic treatment: the Republic of South Africa, Independent Rhodesia and Southern Rhodesia (with a full and complete record of the Mardon Printings), not forgetting the short-lived Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. As a special feature about fifty hitherto unpublished Essays of the pictorial stamps of the Union of South Africa have been reproduced and these should be of great interest to the Union specialist. Many rarities are reproduced in colour for the first time with realistic valuations (market values).
Magnificently illustrated and carrying a foreword by the Republics Postmaster-General, Mr. M. C. Strauss, whose department gave help, Runner and Mailcoach sets a new standard in book production and will be enjoyed both by specialists and amateurs.
