| The Official Opening |
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| The Victoria Falls Bridge was officially opened on 12 September, 1905. This was the 15th Anniversary of the occupation of Mashonaland. |
| This postcard shows the opening ceremony with a 7th Class locomotive on the bridge. Published by Hallis & Co. Port Elizabeth. |
| This website is copyright. This includes all photographs, text, line drawings and artwork. Email any queries |
| The opening ceremony Photo: National Archives of Zimbabwe |
| For the conveyance of the British Association Party and other guests, the BMR ran six special trains between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. The trains did not have special postal arrangements, but special cancellations exist for the British Association. for Bulawayo (double ring) and Victoria Falls (Single ring). |
| The Bulawayo cancellation is recorded on September 9th, 11th, 13th and 14th, 1905. All recorded cancellations for 9th and 11th September are Violet. Both Violet and Black are recorded for 13th and 14th September. No cancellations have been recorded for 10 September which was a Sunday, or for 12 September, the date that the Victoria Falls Bridge was opened. |
| The Victoria Falls special cancellation is recorded on September 12th and 13th, 1905. All cancellations are recorded as being struck in black. It would appear that the use of the Bulawayo and Victoria Falls cancellations overlap, which is difficult to explain if the entire party of the British Association travelled to Victoria Falls on the special trains. |
| The opening ceremony was performed by Professor Sir George Darwin, who was the leader of the British Association Party. This post card was cancelled the day after the official opening. It has the same view as that on the stamp, and can be considered as one of the first maxicards. Divided back. Published by Percy M Clark. |
| A second postcard showing the opening ceremony. The publisher is unknown. |
