myStampJourney

Coming from a biomedical background, this is one of my favourite first day covers ever issued by Pos Malaysia. It was issued to commemorate 100 years of the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) featuring three noble achievements.  Miniature sheet, face value at RM2, depict the double helical structure of the DNA 30sen, depicting the filarial parasite, Brugia malayi , and rice with the label 'beri-beri'. It was very meaningful that these two elements were mentioned on the 30sen stamp because the founding of the institute revolved around the need to carry out scientific research on tropical diseases and other infectious diseases that were prominent in Malaya. Here, the IMR achieved a significant breakthrough in filariasis research by establishing an in vitro culture system for the infective stage of B. malayi , as well as B. pahangi. Studies on nutritional status in rural areas, specifically on beriberi were also conducted.  Brugia malayi and filariasis  In the early years...

Acquired not long ago, I initially thought the only postal marking seen was the octagon obliterator. It is a wild guess but based on the shape of the second digit, it is a strong '7'.  B172 (1874-1879) was used in Singapore. Interestingly. the same number, B172 was also used in Penang (1874-1884), and in Malacca (1874-1892). However, in this case, I am sure it is a B172 Upon closer inspection, there was a faint oval double ring in violet.  As indicated by the arrows, the position of a fainter oval cancel in violet Processing the image to enhance oval cancel, it revealed something more interesting. The double ring marking is revealed. Stamp is upright. Stamp is now upside down. The words are making more sense now.  What we can extract based on this is ' CHARTERED MERCA ', which in full, I strongly believe is: CHARTERED MERCANTILE BANK OF INDIA, LONDON & CHINA Now, what makes this more interesting are two points; firstly, period of usage since B172 are used in both Pe...

See any difference between the four stamps below? Not yet? You will notice it very soon.  For years I have been fascinated by myNBstamp 's write-up on the extra chimney variety that is found in QE II definitive series so much to the extent that it was etched in my mind to look for it whenever I had the chance to. Conveniently, I was blessed with a lot of duplicates to which I found a mint and a used copy of the extra chimney variety.  Mint. Note the extra chimney, top middle. It is said that this variety occur in R1/10, the tenth piece of the first row, which, also according to myNBstamp, it may have occurred only in the first print in 1954. The used copy that I have is also dated 1954, which at this point further suggest that the hypothesis may just be right! Used, dated 1954. Normal 10c without the extra chimney for comparison. I find these varieties very interesting especially when they are on North Borneo stamps. Who knows how much more varieties actually exist considering...

A cover obtained some time ago solely due to the large single ring (diameter = 4.5cm) private handstamp featured on the cover.  This is a cover sent to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) building in Petaling Jaya. It was misspelled as 'PATELING JAYA' on the cover bearing a registered label from 'AYER TAWAR'. The handstamp, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND/ 9 45 AM/ 19 AU 65/ REGD. The location of the registered label, however, did not correspond to the sender's address, which is odd considering that the sender had typed Kuala Lumpur as the address. Perhaps another typo? Transit of the cover was shown on the back.  Cover was flipped for easier view The back of the cover, bearing two 20c blue (ISC155 Perak) tied with a single ring AYER TAWAR/PERAK cds dated 17AUG65 with transit IPOH/PERAK (17AUG65) and arrival single ring PETALING JAYA/SELANGOR cds. The arrival postmarks, there were in fact, two of them, appeared faint with the dates indiscernible - but it would either fall o...

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.