OFS/TRANSVAAL: 1900 Printed IN DIENST. ORANJEVRIJSTAATSCHE SPOORWEGEN stationery envelope handstamped "Imperial Military Railways" in violet, franked Trasvaal VRI 1d clearly tied Pretoria Army PO 55 canceller DE 14 00. Used for private correspondence addressed to England and backstamped on arrival JA 6 01. This letter was delivered aboard the DONALD CURRIE LINE mail steamer KINFAUNS CASTLE which sailed from Cape Town 19th December and arrived at destination 5th January. Light TYR handstamp to left of adhesive. VF, an engaging example, superior quality for these surviving envelopes. Scarce. The Imperial Military Railways came into being in September 1900 after British forces had captured the Orange Free State & Transvaal railway systems. It became the CSAR on 1st July 1902.
