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RATS & MICE OF ZIMBABWE Issued 24th April, 2008

(Extracted from Philatelic Bureau Bulletin No 2 of 2008)2

This issue features rodents found in Zimbabwe, some of them have an Africa wide distribution

whilst others are more local. None of the species illustrated are entirely confined to Zimbabwe.

The species illustrated in this issue are all from the order Rodentia, within two families – Gliridae

(Woodland Dormouse) and Muridae (other species).

Z: Striped Mouse

Rhabdomys pumilio

In Zimbabwe this mouse is found on the central plateau

and in the Eastern Districts. It is particularly common in

the scrub grassland around maize fields. Burrows are

excavated below the ground with well-hidden entrances

and with chambers lined with soft vegetable matter. Round

nests are also constructed in clumps of grass above ground

level. The main periods of activity are early morning or

late afternoon when they feed on small invertebrates,

green plant material and seeds. The young are born during

the summer months, in litters of 3 to 9.

A: Water Rat

Dasymys incomtus The distribution of this rat in Zimbabwe ranges from isolated

locations in Western Zimbabwe right across to the east where

it is much more widespread. They occur in swampy areas along

rivers and streams and in grassy or bracken covered areas close

to water. They are terrestrial and swim well. Their main periods

of activity in the early morning and late afternoon are spent

moving freely between the nest and feeding areas, along well

demarcated runs near the water's edge. They are predominantly

vegetarian although do occasionally feed on insects. Litters of

2 to 9 young are born during the summer months.

E: Angoni Vlei Rat

Otomys angoniensis

This vlei rat is found throughout central Zimbabwe in the

drier areas where it is associated with wet vleis and

swampy areas along rivers. Occurring singly, in pairs or in

family parties, activity takes place mainly during daylight

hours. Domed nests of shredded vegetation are built in

clumps of tussock grass above water level. From these

nests well defined runs extend out to the feeding grounds

which are marked by short lengths of discarded grass

stems. Their vegetarian diet is comprised of succulent

stems and rhyzomes of grasses and fine reeds. Litters of 2

to 5 young are understood to be born in the warm, wet

summer months.

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R: Woodland Dormouse

Graphiurus (Claviglis) murinus

Widely distributed in Zimbabwe, this Dormouse is found

amongst rocks and trees, particularly acacia, in woodland

habitats. Holes in trees or rock crevices as well as roofs of

houses, outbuildings and thatched huts are used to rest up

during daylight hours. At night they forage singly on the trees

in search of insects and fruits. They are also known to eat grass

seeds. The young are born in late summer.

$5,000,000: Bushveld Gerbil

Tatera leucogaster This species of gerbil is widespread throughout

Zimbabwe. For its habitat it favours sandy ground and to

a lesser extent mopane woodland. On sandy soils they live

in warrens, the entrances to which are hidden under bushes

or tufts of grass. Where warrens occur on harder ground,

holes in termite mounds or under exposed tree roots are

used. A nocturnal species, the Bushveld Gerbil feeds on

insects, seeds and vegetable matter. The young,

numbering from 2 to 9 are born in grass lined chambers

within the warren throughout the year.

$10,000,000: Namaqua Rock Mouse

Aethomys namaquensis

Distributed widely throughout Zimbabwe their preferred

habitat boulder-strewn hillsides to rocky kopjes and outcrops

where small colonies live in rock crevices. Where rocks are not

available nests are built in the forks of trees or under fallen logs

or piles of debris. Grass stems and small twigs are collected,

forming huge piles over the entrance to the shelters. They are

omnivorous, of grasses and other plants. Litters of 1 to 5 are

born during the summer months

Note:

The $5 million & $10 million values on the two stamps were the highest values featured on

Zimbabwean stamps. Thanks to hyperinflation, all future Zimbabwean stamps from this issue until

2011 featured no value indicators, with the exception of the 2010 SAPOA World Cup issue.

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The Stamps

(50% of normal size)

Catalogue listings

SG ZSC1 Value Description

1255 668 Z Striped Mouse

1256 669 A Water Rat

1257 670 E Angoni Vlei Rat

1258 671 R Woodland Dormouse

1259 672 $5 million Bushveld Gerbil

1260 673 $10 million Namaqua Rock Mouse

MS1261 MS22 Miniature sheet with stamps se-tenant in block

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Technical details

Stamp size: Sheet stamps: 35 x 30 mm

Miniature sheet: 125 x 125 mm

Sheet Size: 50 stamps (10 rows of 5 stamps), two panes per printed sheet

Artist: Joan Soriano

Paper: ZSC paper type J: paper described by Zimpost as “Chancellor Litho

PVA Gummed Postage Stamp Paper”. This paper is produced by

Tullis Russell Coaters of Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland. Under UV there

is no fluorescence either front or back, the stamp appears to be very

dark

Print colours: Cyan, magenta, yellow & black

Perforations: Sheet stamps: SG 14½, ZSC 14¼

Top margin: Perforated through

Other margins: Imperforate

Miniature sheets: Imperforate margins

Printer: NatPrint, Harare, Zimbabwe

Printer’s Imprint: Sheet stamps only: Bottom Margin, below Row 10 Column 3.

Imprint printed in black

Cylinder numbers: Sheet stamps only: Top margin above R1/1. Colours from left –

cyan, magenta, yellow, black

Colour register: Sheet stamps only: Type TL 4– round boxed – left margin opposite

R1/1. Colours reading down – cyan, magenta, yellow, black

Sheet Value: Sheet stamps only: Top margin, above R1/5, printed in black

Sheet Number: Type SN 7 with printed ‘ZIMPOST’ prefix, right margin opposite

R1/5, reading down

Print numbers: Z 600,000 A 100,000

E 100,000 R 100,000

$5 million 30,000 $10 million 30,000

Miniature sheet 15,000

Issue date: 24th April, 2008

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Postal Rates

The postal rates applicable at the date of issue were those effective from 24 th April 2008, as

follows:

Z $4 million A $90 million E $130 million R $160 million

These stamps were issued on the same date as the increase in postal rates. The Bulletin2 shows

postal rates from the previous increase on 12th February, 2008, which were

Z $550,000 A $1,900,000 E $3,150,000 R $4,600,000

Indeed, the Bulletin order form had the printed prices changed manually from $25.2 million to

$399 million for a single set of stamps and the miniature sheet (1538% increase). The Stanley

Gibbons catalogue for Southern & Central Africa (2014 edition) incorrectly quotes the postage

rates shown in the Bulletin.

Needless to say, the $5 and $10 million stamps became make up values.

Listed varieties

No listed varieties have been noted.

Unlisted Varieties

There are numerous small dots and specks in the printing of these stamps, particularly in the

backgrounds which are more noticeable with the solid colours.

There is some significant colour variation in the printing of these stamps, particularly with the Z

and E values.

Z value: Very distinct colour differences

Z value: Movement of perforations down

into top of design.

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A value: Double perforation of sheet

E value: Very distinct colour differences

E Value: Shift of cyan to the right. This is

progressive with this stamp coming from

column 1

E value: Double printing of black plate.

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E value: Shift of perforations to right into left side of design

E value: Shift of perforations to right with left vertical perforations

through ‘E’ and species name.

E value: Double perforation of sheet.

(Source Narendhra Morar))

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E value: Multiple faults with this block of four

- Change in colour from bottom left to top right - Shift of perforations to right

- Some disturbance of printing to top left stamp (Source eBay download)

R Value: Examples from different areas of sheet showing water on the cyan printing plate.

These may be at different stages on different sheets as the water dries out.

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R value: A distinct cyan colour wash through the left of this block. Probably cause by a light

inking of the roller between the printing cylinders.

R value: Large magenta dot next to left eye.

May be constant in row 9.

R value: Bottom margin of sheet with only

the first strike of the perforator, which is

early. Row 9 stamp and part of row 10

imperforate. Row 9 stamp with red dot next

to eye flaw.

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$5,000,000: Slight fold of the paper during the preforating process, resulting in change of

direction of perforations.

$5,000,000: Folding of sheet during resulting in misalignment of perforations.

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$5,000,000: Shift of perforations to the right and at an angle.

$5,000,000: Imperforate, probably a proof.

(Source eBay download)

$10,000,000: Shift of perforations downards, also with stepped change with perforator

moving slightly to right with each strike

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$10,000,000: Movement of perforations downwards, and at slight angle.

Cyan line down lright side of stamps and margin

Miniature sheet: Variation in colours

Miniature sheet: Vertical perforations up.

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Miniature sheet: Horizontal perforations up

(Courtesy of Jefferson Ritson)

Miniature sheet: All perforations up

Miniature sheet: Cyan line running through upper part of the ‘E’ & ‘R’ stamps.

Cyan smudges mainly in the $5,000,000 value

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Miniature sheet: Double horizontal perforations, together with cyan line across E & R

values. And cyan line through left margin into $5 million stamp

(Courtesy of Narendhra Morar)

Miniature sheet: Additional perforations through bottom margin

(Courtesy of Malte Leubler)

First Day Cover

Zimpost did not produce a first day cover for this issue, although the Bulletin does indicate that

one was intended. The Bulleting Order From has a handwritten message of “No Cover”. Plain

white covers were used by the Philatelic Bureau as First Day Covers for both the set and miniature

sheet and were postmarked with the Harare first Day of Issue canceller.

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Related Material

Natprint Proof Presentation Cards

Presentation cards produced by Natprint with imperforate proofs of the stamps to be issued. The

presentation cards were forwarded to the PTC for approval of the final product.

(Courtesy of Jefferson Ritson)

Front cover

Inside front cover

Z value stamp

A value stamp

A value stamp

R value stamp

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$5 million stamp

$10 million stamp

Bibliography:

1. “The Zimbabwean Concise Postage Stamp Catalogue”, published by Harare Stamp Company, edited by Ken Allanson, Mike Amos and Geoff Brakspear. The catalogue continues to be updated and expanded by Geoff

Brakspear 2. Zimbabwe Post, Philatelic Bureau Bulletin No 2 of 2008