FishingFlyStamps.com
In 1976 Barry Kent and partners, in co-operation with the Republic of Transkei Development Corporation, established a fishing fly manufacturing plant at Butterworth, Transkei, Southern Africa. The company was named HIGH FLIES (PTY) LIMITED. The pricing, quality and marketing of the flies produced there proved very successful. By 1979 High Flies was employing 360 local people, producing in excess of 1000 dozen flies per day and exporting to all parts of the Globe.
It was at this time that Barry Kent met Mr. Herman Stein, director of the Philatelic Services of Southern Africa (the controlling authority for postage stamps issues in Southern Africa) and discussed the possibility of promoting industries in the Transkei through official postage stamps. So the idea of depicting fishing flies on postage stamps was born.
The outcome was a five year series of 25 fishing fly stamps. Five new designs were issued each year from 1980 to 1984.
Art direction for this series was by Barry Kent and the artwork was executed by a prominent South African stamp artist, Mr A. H. (Barry) Barrett.
THESE POSTAGE STAMPS ARE THE FIRST EVER, IN THE HISTORY OF PHILATELY WORLDWIDE, TO DEPICT FlSHING FLIES!
Since the day of each issue, these stamps have greatly increased in value. The 1980 first day cover envelope is catalogued at over 80 times the day of issue price and the value continues to increase. All of the fishing fly stamps were produced in sheets of 25 se-tenant.
In 1980 only the top four rows of stamps were used on first day envelopes. A major error was discovered when the 1981 (second issue) first day envelope was issued on 15 January, 1981. The bottom (control strip) set of stamps was accidentally used on +-6% of the first day envelopes issued. This envelope is now called “The Wickham’s Fancy First Day Envelope”. The day of issue price of the Wickham’s Fancy envelope was 74c. They are now catalogued at over $100 each.
This site is currently under construction - please be patient
If you would like to learn more please Email Barry Kent at kentads@mac.com
transkei fishing fly postage stamps - the world’s first official postage stamps to depict fishing flies - issue dates 1980-1984 - a small number of these complete sets are currently available for sale - see bottom of page
Pictured top left -
Mr. Barry Kent (right) presenting one of his presentation frame sets of stamps, FDCs and tied flies to the American Museum of Fly Fishing located in Manchester, Vermont.
Pictured above top right-
An assortment of fly stamps.
25 stamps were issued.
Five each year from 1980 to 1984
Pictured above bottom right-
The first day cover set from the 1980 issue
NEW- John McCain (New Glory)
NEW- Sarah Palin (Alaskan Beauty)
