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

Initially, chalk paper was the default paper type introduced as means to combat the re-use of stamps. The chalky coating used enabled ink, conveniently both the prints and postal markings, to adhere better to which re-use of stamps via removal of the cancellation would damage the stamp design. Due to war-time shortages during and after World War II, chalk paper was replaced by what is known as ‘ordinary paper’ as a substitute (hence, it was also known as substitute paper). Generally, this BMA Malaya series was seen in three paper types: a. Substitute paper / Ordinary paper b. Thin striated paper c. Chalk paper  The quickest way in identifying paper types, specifically in distinguishing between ordinary paper and chalk paper is by the silver scratch test. Upon scratching the surface of a chalk-coated paper with silver, a faint dull grey line will appear. This technique was mentioned in Stanley Gibbons' catalogue. However, it was also discredited since scratching the surface of the s

Train mail postmark is another interesting area in marcophily (a fancy word that describes collecting and the study of postmarks).  When I first learnt about train mails, it became so much more interesting because who knew letters could be posted on trains, and ships even! (that's for another day).  Letters posted on trains were subjected to ordinary postal rates.  Here's what I have in my collection so far: Proud D6 'TRAIN MAil' on ISC270 Proud D6 'train MAIL' on ISC270, with a discolored center probably light bleached.  Proud D6 Another D6. Would be a really stunning bullseye if the bottom part of the postmark was struck clearer.  Proud D6 Proud D5 on ISC242. Other than the larger gap between 'NORTH BORNEO', T of 'NORTH' was also seen to be shorter lengthwise.  Proud D8 'rAILWAY p.o.' on ISC358. I remembered paying RM6 for this piece 5 years ago.  In this never-ending quest to find, collect, and learn more, I hope to be able to own a fe