ZAR POST CARD FROM PIET RETIEF VIA MACHADODORP TO AMSTERDAM ON 30 JUNE 1900. FROM JAC ZERBST TO H.J. EMOUS, HOLLAND. WITH "A108" CENSOR OVAL.

A Machadodorp cancel 30 June 1900 is considered valuable to collectors due to its historical significance as the temporary seat of the Boer Government during the 2nd Boer War.

Following the fall of Pretoria on 5 June 1900, the ZAR government retreated to Machadodorp, which served as the country's capital for several months.

During this period the Volksraad conducted its business from railway carriages at the Machadodorp Station.

Content of the message: The message contains information saying that engineers had moved to Standerton.

A rough translation of the message is as follows:

"Piet Retief

June 25, 1900.

Dear Sir and Friend!

After further investigation it has become apparent that Mr. Nieuwenhuis is meant to be the Inspector, but a resident of the country. The English will not be coming here for the time being, as it seems, since they have all withdrawn to Standerton. Here, fortunately, everything is well. Today many citizens left for the front together again.

With heartfelt greetings to all yours from all of us.

Friend. Jac Zerbst."

The Piet Retief CDS is 25 June 1900, then took 5 days to reach Machadodorp which means it would have travelled through the Boer Field Postal System.

A postcard with a Piet Retief CDS (25 June 1900), a Machadodorp cancel (30 June 1900), and a destination of Amsterdam, Holland is a rare combination. 

The Receiver: H.J. Emous was a prominent Dutch educator and a key figure in the Christelijke Nationale Boeren Comite (Christian National Boer Committee). He was involved in supporting Boer education and the Republican cause in Europe.