myStampJourney

Sungei Ujong is one of the original 'states' of Negri Sembilan (Negeri Sembilan). Long ago, Negri Sembilan is a confederation consisting of nine chiefdoms ( luak or luhak, in Malay), in which its formation dates back to the 18th century. The nine chiefdoms are Sungei Ujong, Jelebu, Johol, Jelai, Rembau, Ulu Pahang, Naning, Klang, and Segamat.  The origin of the name, Sungei Ujong, dates back even earlier to the 14th century when it was referred to as Sang Hyang Hujung in ancient Javanese records. In retrospect, Sungei Ujong is old - very, very old.  Sungei Ujong stamps are uncommon, especially the earlier issues. The last three issues before it was annexed to Negeri Sembilan in 1895 were much cheaper compared to previous issues.  1891-1894 The leaping tiger stamp issued in Sungei Ujong has a shared design since it used a common key plate with stamps used in other Federated Malay States: Pahang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, and Perak.  1894. Stamps were surcharged with 1 CENT a

Among all the themes depicted in Malaysia's philatelic issues, the Malaysian currency is a popular choice. Anything related to banknotes or coins is a sure hit since it also attracts the bigger numismatics community.  I still remembered that these two issues: 2010 Malaysian Currency and 2012 2nd Series of Malaysian Currency , are uncommon. They are in no way, scarce, but they are uncommon in a sense that they rarely surface in the marketplace. Every single time it comes out, they don't come cheap.  This post covers my recent acquisition.  2010 Malaysian Currency 2012 2nd Series of Malaysian Currency I was finally able to get a set myself this year. There were offers previously but I held back from buying. It's only a good and satisfying buy when bought at a bargain.  After a few months, these stamps surfaced again. They were in full sheet format - and cheap! Nothing beats looking at these stamps in a full sheet format. The best part is not paying a fortune for them, and to

Labuan is an island off the coasts of Sabah (then, known as North Borneo). Though small in size, it is in fact the first (earlier than North Borneo and Sarawak) to have a proper post office in the mid 1800s.  Labuan joined the Universal Postal Union on 16 April 1877 while British North Borneo joined on 1 January 1891. Concurrently, upon joining the Universal Postal Union, Labuan also adopted the postage rates of Straits Settlements as well as stamps of Straits Settlements by purchasing it from Singapore until it issued its own in 1879.  The postage stamps, prior to datestamps, were cancelled with dumb-type obliterators such that was used in Straits Settlements. The first two obliterators are round dumb-types while the third, which is also the last before the usage of datestamps, is a 9-bar obliterator.  I have not been the biggest fan of bar cancels prior to recent years since they are challenging to identify, especially for a beginner like me. It became easier now with a reference boo

Shortly after the war, the British Military Administration (BMA) was established in 1945 in North Borneo to oversee state operations as the interim administrator. The following year on 26th June 1946, the British North Borneo Company cedes North Borneo and Labuan to Britain.  Philatelical-ly speaking, this meant another change to the BMA overprints on North Borneo stamps.  In the revised overprint, the Royal Cypher was portrayed while the words 'The State Of' and "British Protectorate' were obliterated since effectively North Borneo was a Crown Colony Two bars on the top obliterates the wording, hence, only showing North Borneo. 1947 North Borneo ISC299 1 cent Green & Red-brown. Interestingly, the overprints are not always consistently struck on the same area. Shifts to the bars are likely to occur and becomes another trait to look for.  Here are some examples (even the first picture above did not have a perfect strike): Slight shift, however, still covering what i

For time being, these cancellations on North Borneo stamps remain a mystery to me. It is a first for me to come across an oval handstamp, this reminds me of Jamaica's cog-wheeled TRD and some of the security markings used by Chartered Bank of India, Australia, & China. Visible 'C'  Upon some 'Google-ing' and drawing reference from Michel Houde's extensive website , it does look like Chin Ho & Co, Singapore however it is impossible to conclude anything from just one visible alphabet.  Next is this piece, a single ring oval handstamp with 'B. P. / PAGAT..' as the visible half on the stamp. I uploaded this piece on a Facebook group of North Borneo stamps enthusiasts hoping to find an answer too. It was also pointed out that there was a portion of a bar cancel, which suggests it is more likely to be of CTO. Three copies of a fiscally used stamp. A triple oval handstamp of The Chartered Bank, Jesselton in violet. THE CHARTERED BANK/ Incorporated in En