transvaal snow 1909

TRANSVAAL SNOW 1909

“Real photo” picture postcards published by “SAPSCo” (South African Photo & Stereo Company)
of P.O. Box 5792, Johannesburg.)

Johannesburg Weather
Snow is unusual for Johannesburg; here we see for the very first time, snow several inches deep. Following rain on the previous day, the 16^th August 1909 started with a clear sky. However, in an East wind the temperature fell to just 38.5f at 10am, and snow fell with a 26mph wind. This was followed at 9.30pm by sleety rain to around midnight. By the 20^th the temperatures were in the 60f and the cold snap was over.

SAPSCo postcards
Below are photographs taken in 1909 which were used on picture postcards; the manuscript messages on the divided-back (address-side printed in black) are also included. The reference numbers to each of these postcards have been added as an aid to establish a catalogue.

(Ref. SAPSCo 4.) Captioned ‘Market Stq Johannesburg at bottom right and embossed at top ‘Wishing you a Merry Xmas.’

Snow in Johannesburg

(Ref. SAPSCo 2. Captioned 'JOUBERT PARK JOHANNESBURG.' and embossed 'With the Season’s Greetings' with ornamentation between.

The Message on the address side reads: "Snow Storm – Johannesburg. 1909 Part of the Park. Nearly all the plants in this park were broken by the snow storm. Since done up and now a lovely place for walks ..."

Snow in Johannesburg

(Ref. SAPSCo 6. Captioned 'JOUBERT PARK JOHANNESBURG.' and embossed 'With the Season’s Greetings' with ornamentation between.
Posted from Johannesburg on 13^th December 1909 to London.

The Message on the address side reads "... This is the Park taken during the snow storm ... love from Nellie."

Snow in Johannesburg

(Ref. SAPSCo 3. Captioned 'VILHELM STR JOHANNESBURG.' and embossed 'With the Season’s Greetings' with ornamentation between.
Posted from Johannesburg on 6^th December 1909, to 'Carrallach Terrace, St. Just, R.S.O. Cornwall, England.' The Message was writen by a schoolboy to his Auntie telling her he was the best boy in his class.

(Ref. SAPSCo 1. Captioned 'BEZOUDENHOUT VALLEY.' and embossed 'Wishing you a Merry Xmas' with ornamentation between.
Posted from Johannesburg on 22^nd December 1909 to 'Police Barracks, Port Elizabeth, Cape Colony'.

(Ref. SAPSCo 5. Captioned 'BELLEVUE EAST.' and embossed 'With the Season's Greetings' with ornamentation between.

An example of the reverse, divided-back (address side) which is printed in black and common to all the above postcards.

Reference
'Notable Snow Fall in Johannesburg, August 1909' - an article by Chris Board was published in the August 2009 edition of The Transvaal Philatelist, which included a new map of the Snowstorms in South Africa, during 1902 and 1909. The article also examined later expert assessments of these snowstorms and the patterns associated with this rare South African phenomenon.