---

Messages on Postal Stationery Cards

The Beurs (stock exchange) Johannesburg

Jeff Woolgar

---

Formal message on this Vürtheim postal stationery card

This postal stationery card was addressed formally from a Son to his Father at the Beurs post office, Johannesburg on 12^th February 1892 to a box number at the General Post Office in Rissik Street, also in Johannesburg. The formality of this type of correspondence, between close relations, was common business practice into the 1960s.

There were several different types of postmarks used at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The one here 'JOHABURG BEURS' with the day, month, and year, is a squared circle with the 'inner circle broken' and was in use between January 1892 to at least the end of September 1896. (The 'inner circle broken' has not inked on this example.)

About half way through 1897 there was a boom in diamond shares, it was then that some datestamps are also found with 'JOHABURG BEERS'. The 'U' being change to an 'E'. De Beers is of course the renowned diamond company which still trades today. Therefore from July 1897 to 15^th September 1897 these can be found used from this branch office. It was assumed that a member of staff at the Beurs post office managed to alter the datestamp lettering, perhaps as a hoax; which went unnoticed for a long period. It should be mentioned that these datestamps are not clear, the office would have been very busy and on receiving an envelope few, if any, would have looked at the postmark, for it was the contents of the letter or message on the postal stationery card that was of importance. Moreover, it cannot be ruled out that somebody at the Beurs post office had a datestamp made just for the fun.

The first Johannesburg Stock Exchange
Friction between interested individuals with investments in the Witwatersrand gold mines possibly delayed the organisation of a Johannesburg stock exchange until 16^th January 1887. A new single-storeyed building was constructed on the corner of Commissioner and Simmonds Streets. There was a central hall approximately 50 by 25 feet and 20 feet in height with circular-headed windows, although the decoration of the interior was plain there was a place for refreshments with a beautifully-fitted bar. In spite of the optimism just over a year later, February 1898, this new enterprise was voluntary placed in liquidation.

The Second Stock Exchange
The foundation stone for the New Exchange was laid in November 1889. Designed by the company Lennox Canning & Goad and was opened in 1890, although used the eastern end of the building was only being completed in 1893. The building cost £70,000, had its principle entrance, a porte-cochére of sorts, in Commissioner Street. The total length was 207 feet and depth being 100 feet along Simmonds and Fraser Streets, the later having seven shops while at the Simmonds Street end there were offices. The rectangular Exchange Hall in the centre of the building measures 98 by 45 feet, and was 56 feet high. Unlike the first Stock Exchange this building was elaborately fitted, stained glass, and turned balustrades on the gallery which was 10 feet wide. To the west of the Hall was a large bar, refreshment room. The entrance halls had barrel-arched ceilings with stained-glass screens, and there being much parquet flooring in the offices and bar. On the first floor were another 40 offices, board room, library, and a show room above the shop in Fraser and Commissioner Street. Various meetings and events took place in this building as there were few places large enough for many events in Johannesburg. These included chess when the market was quiet. Then there were services held by a Lutheran pastor, concerts, political meetings during elections, Council and Library Committee meetings and even a brass band on Christmas Eve. Underneath the Fraser Street shops was the post and telegraph branch office from 1891. The first datestamps were a single circle dating from June 1891 and a double circle with 'GEREGISTREERD' in the upper half from November 1895. It was here the postal stationery card illustrated above was controlled (date stamped) on the 12^th February 1892. As the General Post Office was only a few streets away the addressee doubtless opened the post office box, read the message, folded it in half to fit his pocket, and went about his business - just a few hours later.

Despite there being dozens of picture postcards and a few illustrated postal stationery cards with show the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, none have been found showing Fraser Street on the west side of the building. Therefore, the postcard size card above is an undated Christmas card on which is pasted the picture; which must have been taken before December 1904. Here we see the corner of Commissioner Street and the Fraser Street. The shop on the corner had the showroom above and apparently De Beurs branch post office below.

[ Picture Postcards to follow in early September ]

Acknowledgments
I thank Gail Tompkins for her guidance concerning private correspondence.

References
Reisener, H. O., 1976, (First published 1975), De Beers in Johannesburg?, The Transvaal Philatelist, (43) August 1976, pp.71-73.

Payne, B., and Visser, A., ZAR and Transvaal date-stamps until Union: a working catalogue - Part 1: Aangewljs to Bisley, The Transvaal Philatelist, (205) March 2020, p.44.

Rosenthal, Eric, (1968), On ‘Change though the years, A History of share dealing in South Africa, Johannesburg.