myStampJourney

In 2018, Pos Malaysia issued a rather interesting state definitive series featuring all 13 states and the Federal Territories (Wilayah Persekutuan). It was also the same year that I learnt that I could print my own private covers.  Hence with tons of reading and going to online databases learning each of the featured orchids, I tried my best to put the orchids on the private covers. However, in the midst of collecting images and sketches of various orchids, I soon discovered that certain species were not readily available as stock images, which explains why some of the covers did not have the exact species but I tried my level best to match its genus.  Having a deep interest in the wildlife of Sabah, orchids are one of my favourite. I have seen several in the wild during my annual family day in my maternal hometown, Kg. Toboh Lama where short escapades into the woods with a pair of watchful eyes come in handy. Other experiences I very much enjoyed were agriculture parks, espec...

Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak in Borneo at 4,095 meters featuring bare rock plateaux. Adding to the beauty and peculiarity of Mount Kinabalu is its isolation that results in its unique own - and the plethora of species unique to the mountain.  Even in the early issues of North Borneo stamps, what has been consistently depicted was Mount Kinabalu. The shift from Blades, East and Blades, London to Waterlow & Sons Ltd ushered a complete change in the print style as well. From a focused portrayal of North Borneo's Coat of Arms and Arms of the Company by the former, to bi-color engravings featuring what the latter would assume intricate, and artistic.  North Borneo 1894 ISC68 18 cents Black & Deep Green North Borneo 1897 ISC95 18 cents Black & Green, Inscript. 'POSTAGE & REVENUE' North Borneo 1901 ISC120 18 cents Black & Green, ovpt 'BRITISH PROTECTORATE.'  in red.  North Borneo 1902 ISC D42 18 cents Black & Green, ovpt 'POSTAGE DUE' ...

This cover decorated with stamps of the Coronation issue in blocks of four is still one of the most handsome covers I have acquired. It is, however, not cancelled on the day of issue. In fact, the cover was sent a year later from its release. On the cover addressed to Auckland, New Zealand are Scott#37-39 (Gilbert & Ellice Islands) in blocks of four cancelled with a single ring GENERAL POST OFFICE/OCEAN ISLAND cds. dated 15 AUG 38, showing 'R' in framed rectangular handstamp numbered 2045 (3) 'OCEAN ISLAND' (Type R7) with transit G.P.O. SYDNEY/RS/N.S.W. AUST cds. dated 8 SE 38.  Faint cds, however, still discernible.

The already financially exhausted post-war Germany was further driven to her breaking point from reparation payment and the increasing government debt resulting in inflation. Germany's crippling economy was unable to fund her second reparation payment to the victors of World War I. In response to Germany defaulting reparation payments, the French and the Belgian forces occupied the Ruhr Valley taking over coal mines, factories, and steel works. As the German workers refuse to cooperate during this military occupation, their passive resistance was rewarded with wages paid by the government. This, however, meant that the government printed more and more money leading to hyperinflation as its value significantly fell.  There were many factors and events that contributed to hyperinflation of the Weimar Republic between 1921 and 1933 although the occupation of Ruhr did substantial damage to the already broken economy. The mass printings of banknotes by the government to buy foreign curr...

The National Fruits series was issued in 5th June 1986 taking over the prior national definitive series, National Animals (4th January 1979). It was designed by Peter Khang and featured eight denominations from 40c to $20. The four lower denominations, from 40c to $1 were printed by Security Printers Malaysia (Wmk. SPM) using lithography with perforation of 12. The four higher denominations from, $2 to $20 were printed by Harrison & Sons Limited (Wmk. Harrisons & Sons in script) using photogravure approach with perforations of 13.5. ISCs lists the National Fruit series with the aforementioned perforations, however, Scotts 2017 lists an additional perforation variety at P. 13.5x14 for the four lower denominations. Having my references limited to ISC and Scott Standard 2017, I would only sort these fruits accordingly.  40c Rambutan ( Nephelium lappaceum );  50c Pineapple ( Ananas comosus ) 80c Durian ( Durio zibethinus ) $1 Mangosteen ( Garcinia mangostana ) From 40c to ...

Back in 2016, a good friend of mine from my university gave me this saying his aunt worked at Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), and was given this SetemKu Korporat (Pos Malaysia's personalized stamp for corporates commemorating respective anniversaries) presentation pack on their 40th anniversary two years ago. I had kept this in one piece without even attempting to open it simply because I wanted to preserve it as much as I can in the state it came to me. However, I discovered that the plastic wrapping had signs of deterioration. I had no choice but to remove the plastic wrapping and put them into new OPP sleeves.  Front; this is actually the inside of the presentation pack with the front page folded in. I searched online and found little to no information regarding this issue. However, that is logical since it is not a general issue. I would really appreciate it if anyone has information regarding the quantities and paper type.   Back The description roughly translates to:...

In this time's write up, inspired by Lin Yang Chen (a great deal of help in understanding paper types) and the efforts by KGVI Stamps , would be shades of the 10c KGVI definitives overprinted BMA.  Without a specialized SG catalogue, the identification of these shades are laboriously done via one-to-one comparison in a large batch of ISC8. ISC only lists four shades of the 10c: ISC8 (all with Die I prints) deep purple, 8a slate-purple, 8b magenta, and ISC9 purple in Die II. In reference to KGVI Stamps, which had included catalogue numbers from Murray Payne's Commonwealth KGVI postage stamp catalogue (CW), I believe that certain shades (intended or not intended as listed on ISC) might be the same as CW's. With only a simplified Scott at hand, it did mention that the 10c (Sc#262, listed as dull violet) exists in at least three shades.  Subtle differences has always been a personal favourite attributed to the challenge of distinguishing it. And collecting the shades of the 10...