Griqualand West

Griqualand West was region in southern Africa that became a British protectorate in 1871, then a Crown Colony in 1873.
 * Its first stamp was issued in 1874, a Cape of Good Hope 4d value surcharged "1d" in pen.
 * In 1877 came two overprinted Cape stamps with G.W.
 * Stamps overprinted with G in different fonts and sizes were issued afterwards.
 * By 1880, Griqualand West became part of Cape Colony and its stamps were declared obsolete. However, overprinted stamps were then used from various Cape of Good Hope post offices.

Notes for collectors
The variety of "G"s used made these stamps popular with forgers; forgeries are quite common. The first test is to make sure that the watermarks are from the correct period, NOT the Crown CA or fouled anchor types. Then careful comparison is needed with all overprint types. If a stamp has a recognizable cancel from a Griqualand West town like KIMBERLEY, then it can be inferred to be likely from the correct earlier period of use.

 File:Griq West GW.A.webp|1877 1d overprint. File:Griqualand West 1sh.A.webp|1878 1/- overprint. 

[[Category:G]]