1913 Rhodesia

This one pound stamp from Rhodesia was issued in 1913 as part of the "Admiral" series produced by the British South Africa Company, featuring King George V in his uniform as Admiral of the Fleet. The design depicts the King in three-quarter profile, rendered in fine engraved detail, wearing the distinctive peaked cap and military dress of the Admiral of the Fleet. The stamp is printed in maroon and inscribed "British South Africa Company" across the top with "Rhodesia" prominently displayed at the bottom. The denomination "£1" appears in the corners.

The Admiral series was introduced in September 1913 to replace the popular "Double Heads" that had served Rhodesia since 1910. The new series represented a significant stylistic departure, moving from the conjoined portraits of King George V and Queen Mary to a single portrait of the King alone in his naval uniform. This design choice emphasized the King's military authority and the strength of the British Crown. The one pound denomination was the highest value in the Admiral series, reserved for the most substantial postal rates covering the heaviest correspondence and parcels within Rhodesia and to destinations throughout the British Empire.

The Admiral series remained in circulation from 1913 through 1924, with various printings and color variations appearing across the denominations. Like the Double Heads before it, the Admiral series is celebrated by collectors for its artistic quality and the numerous printing varieties that make it a rich field for specialized study. The series documents a pivotal moment in Rhodesian postal history, capturing the transition from one iconic design to another and reflecting the continued importance of royal imagery in British Commonwealth stamps during the reign of King George V.