British Colonial and Protectorate Stamps: North Borneo

Synopsis

This territory occupies the northern region of Borneo in the China Sea, with Brunei and Sarawak as its south-western neighbours and Indonesian Borneo to the south-east. The British North Borneo (Chartered) Company (BNBC) administered this former British Protectorate, including Labuan island offshore, from 1881 through 1946 when it received Crown colony status proclamation. Upon joining the Malaysian Federation in 1963, the territory adopted the name Sabah.

The philatelic history of North Borneo presents a complex narrative marked by both legitimate postal development and controversial commercial practices that significantly damaged its reputation among collectors. From the inaugural 1883 issues through the transition to Malaysian statehood in 1963, North Borneo stamps reflect the territory's administrative changes while revealing the British North Borneo Company's sometimes questionable approach to stamp production.

Initial stamp releases

The inaugural issue

March 1883 saw the release of the territory's first postage stamp—a 2 cent brown printed in London by Blades, East & Blades. This initial stamp and subsequent releases displayed the Company's coat of arms as their central design element.

Early denomination expansions

June 1883 brought the requirement for additional denominations, resulting in 'eight cents' word surcharges on 2 cent stamps using 2 distinct type fonts. Later that year, these received supplementation with corresponding 4 cent, 8 cent and larger-format 50 cent and 1 dollar denominations.

1886 additions

New printings of 2 cent, 4 cent and 8 cent values, supplemented by additional ½ cent, 1 cent and 10 cent stamps, received placement on sale in 1886. Shortly following their release, ½ cent and 10 cent stamps obtained 'and Revenue' overprinting. Additional denomination requirements received satisfaction through distinctly different 3 cents on 4 cents and 5 cents on 8 cents surcharges.

Questionable commercial practices

Numerous collectors received deterrence from North Borneo due to a series of unethical schemes devised by the BNBC. Among these practices were surplus sheets, sometimes imperforate (remainders), either mint or cancelled with barred 'postmarks', sold directly to dealers.

Large quantities of cancelled-to-order stamps, frequently discovered in auction sales of old collections, received preparation in the company's London office using a hand-held device. Most catalogues list them (but not Stamps of the World) in a third column at much reduced prices.

Another dubious practice involved the prolific release of surcharged stamps with little or no relevance to postal requirements. Some received application in London, whereas others produced locally in Sandakan became the source of frequent type font 'errors'.

British North Borneo period

Name modification 1886-1887

From 1886 to 1887, existing stamps, plus additional 25 cent and 2 dollar denominations, received modification by adding 'BRITISH' to the country's name. From 1888 to 1892, 'POSTAGE & REVENUE' captions received introduction to lower values, including new 3 cent, 5 cent and 6 cent stamps. Higher denominations redrawn to include the changed wording obtained supplementation with larger format 5 dollar and 10 dollar stamps.

Questionable surcharges 1890-1892

Several questionable surcharges in different settings and various type fonts received application to 4 cent, 5 cent, 8 cent, 10 cent and 25 cent stamps from 1890 to 1892.

1894 pictorial series

Significant changes occurred in 1894 with a set of stunning engraved pictorials from 1 cent to 24 cents inscribed 'State of North Borneo'. Images in 2 colours closely resemble 'collector-oriented' stamps from Mozambique and Nyassa which received administration by a Portuguese chartered company. These and the North Borneo stamps obtained printing by Waterlow & Sons. The revised name also appeared on the last 5 to 10 dollar stamps to receive printing by Blades, East & Blades.

1895 surcharges

Large numbers of 1 dollar stamps received overprinting in 1895 with 4 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent, 30 cent and 40 cent surcharges to meet postal needs. Whereas many provisional 4 cent and 10 cent stamps received legitimate use, it appears that philatelic sales were a major factor for most of the others.

1897 frame modifications

Frames received modification in 1897 to incorporate panels showing Chinese and Malay lettering. Additional 4 cent, 10 cent and 16 cent denominations also obtained printing. Colours on 2 cent and 4 cent stamps received initial reversal and then correction in 1900. Whereas both 2 cent colours received placement on sale, full sheets of the original 4 cent green received sale only directly to dealers.

Waterlow printing errors

Design mistakes on stamps printed by Waterlow were unusual. However, incorrect 'postal revenue' (18 cent) and missing 'postage & revenue' (24 cent) inscriptions were, this time, possibly the result of BNBC requests to 'hurry up' the delivery date. This theory receives reinforcement by the astonishingly fast appearance of corrected replacement stamps.

1899 and 1904 surcharge schemes

In 1899 the Company authorised 4 cent surcharges for surplus sheets of 12 denominations from 5 cents to 10 dollars. The exercise, repeated in 1904 with another series of 4 cent surcharges, this time applied locally with an alternative typeface, was unlikely to have met legitimate postal requirements, implying the scandalous scheme was clearly, yet again, aimed at the philatelic market.

British Protectorate era

Name change overprints 1901-1905

More changes to the State's name received reflection from 1901 to 1905, with 'BRITISH PROTECTORATE' overprints on definitives. They obtained replacement in 1909 by a series of new designs with the revised title. Soon after receiving release, it received revelation that the 12 cent and 24 cent stamps featured birds (Palm Cockatoo and Dwarf Cassowary) unknown in Borneo. The 4 cent depicted a 1878 conference chaired by the Company's director W C Cowie to discuss boundary changes with North Borneo's nominal ruler, the Sultan of Sulu.

1909 provisional surcharge

In September 1909, just weeks after they received issuing, revised postal charges prompted withdrawal of the now redundant 18 cent stamps. Why it received decision to return sheets of 18 cent stamps to Waterlow in London for surcharging is unclear because it would be more economical to have the changes done in North Borneo. The 'provisional' 20 cents on 18 cents remained on sale until 1939—an astonishing decision made by the philatelic-conscious BNB Company.

1911 bi-coloured definitives

In 1911 new bi-coloured 25 cents to 10 dollars stamps retained the Company's emblem. Sheets of obsolete 5 dollars and 10 dollars denominations, dating back to 1894, received 'BRITISH PROTECTORATE' overprinting in 1912, again almost certainly aimed at the philatelic market.

1916 local surcharges

Local surcharges on existing 3 cent, 6 cent and 12 cent stamps received authorisation in 1916 to replace a consignment of 2 cent, 4 cent and 20 cent denominations which received loss at sea.

Charity overprints and surcharges 1916-1918

A series of almost 60 unprecedented charity overprints and surcharges commenced in 1916. In the first of 3 issues, a symbolic Maltese Cross overprinted in vermilion and carmine received application to current denominations from 1 cent to 25 cents. Whereas both overprints receive cataloguing, the use of 2 shades was probably fortuitous rather than planned. Many sets received auctioning to aid war charities or sale directly to dealers, leaving relatively few for postal use.

In August 1918, values to 10 dollars received overprinting, this time with a 2-line 'RED CROSS TWO CENTS' caption. Just 2 months later, the levy received doubling with a second overprint showing the Red Cross emblem and 'FOUR CENTS' surcharge. As the addition of 4 cents on all denominations increased the cost of even a 1 cent stamp to 5 cents, it was little wonder that postal sales were minimal. There were also fewer than anticipated sales of the previous 2 cents surcharges following the loss at sea of 2 consignments by enemy action.

1922 exhibition overprints

To publicise a significant event in Singapore, 14 stamps from 1 cent to 50 cents received overprinting 'MALAYA-BORNEO EXHIBITION 1922' by the Government Printer in Sandakan. A complicated overprinting technique is likely to have contributed to the many type font errors which received claims to have been intentional by cynical collectors.

1923 surcharge

In 1923 a 2-line 'THREE CENTS' surcharge received application in very bold typeface to the 4 cent definitive of 1909.

1925-1928 reprints

New printings of definitives received placement on sale from 1925 to 1928 to restore stocks depleted by the recent surcharges and Malaya-Borneo overprints. Also reprinted was the long-lived 20 cents on 18 cents surcharge of 1909. Apart from shade differences, these stamps may receive identification by a perforation change to 12½. A new 3 cent received addition to replace the 1923 provisional surcharge. Many of the 16 cent, 24 cent, 1 dollar, 2 dollars, 5 dollars and 10 dollars printings with little postal function received offers to dealers at discounted prices.

Perforation variations

Waterlow definitives to 1918, including overprints and surcharges, were plagued with minor perforation differences thought to have been caused by the use of irregular pins. Most receive listing in the catalogue despite little interest from general collectors.

1931 anniversary commemoratives

The BNB Company's 50th anniversary received commemoration in 1931 with 8 extra-large pictorials from 3 cents to 5 dollars. Three different images of the coat of arms received depiction on the 1 dollar, 2 dollars and 5 dollars stamps.

George VI era

1939 new pictorials

A less aggressive policy received adoption in 1939 with the introduction of 15 new-style pictorials from 1 cent to 5 dollars. The series included a 20 cent denomination finally replacing the 1909 surcharge. Most of the topical designs were different except for a surprise inclusion of the alien 1919 Palm cockatoo (2 cent) and repetition of the magnificent Orang-Utan portrait (10 cent) from the 1931 anniversary series. The BNB Company's coat of arms received retention for 3 higher denominations.

1941 war tax overprints

War tax overprints in 2 differing type fonts received application to 1 cent and 2 cent stamps in 1941 for compulsory use on local and overseas mail. Following occupation later in the year, available stamp stocks received seizure for overprinting in Japanese characters.

1945 liberation and BMA overprints

After liberation in 1945, new printings required to supplement remaining stamp stocks received BMA overprinting for use throughout Sarawak and Brunei during British Military Occupation of these territories. Similar overprints received provision for Sarawak but not for Brunei.

1946 Crown colony status

In recognition of becoming a Crown colony in 1946, new printings of 1939 definitives received overprinting with the GviR Royal Cypher and obliterating bars to change the title to simply 'NORTH BORNEO'.

Omnibus issues 1948-1949

Crown colony status enabled participation in omnibus Royal Silver Wedding and 75th UPU commemoratives issued respectively in 1948 and 1949.

1950 photogravure pictorials

Photogravure pictorials from 1 cent to 10 dollars, printed by Harrison & Sons, received issuing in 1950. Widespread criticism greeted the generally inappropriate photographs selected for several designs. A more successful choice was the vibrant image of a cheerful Bajau Chief (20 cent). A view of Mount Kinabalu on the 1 cent was a disappointing successor to several earlier stamps. Other inadequate designs were 3 cent, 5 cent, 8 cent, 1 dollar and 5 dollars denominations.

A more effective 10 dollar stamp featuring the colony's emblem received modification to include Mt Kinabalu. The letter 'T' received addition to the vessel's sail to acknowledge the role of Australia's liberating force during the 1941 siege of Tobruk. The historic Atkinson Clock Tower (50 cent), erected in 1905 to honour a highly regarded district councillor, remains a revered landmark and tourist venue. A spelling mistake ('Jessleton') on the first printing received correction in 1952.

Queen Elizabeth II era

1953-1957 definitives

The omnibus 10 cent Coronation stamp issued in 1953 received following up with a repeat of the unpopular definitives adapted to portray the Queen and placed on sale intermittently from 1954 to 1957 as required. Although widely sold in collectors' packets, there was little postal demand for the 1 cent until 1959, when it became a useful 'make up' stamp for revised charges.

1956 75th anniversary commemoratives

While administration received ceding to the Colonial Office in 1946, the British North Borneo Company's 75th anniversary received marking in 1956 with 10 cent, 15 cent, 35 cent and 1 dollar stamps featuring designs reminiscent of earlier Waterlow printings.

1961 pictorials and printer change

Pictorials issued in 1961 ranging from 1 cent to 10 dollars continued with topics reflecting previous definitives. Waterlow was the printer until 1962, when production received taking over by De La Rue after purchasing Waterlow's banknote and stamp printing business.

1963 final Crown colony issue

The final Crown colony stamp was a 10 cent omnibus to mark the Freedom from Hunger campaign in 1963; it received issuing just weeks before North Borneo joined the Federation of Malaysia as the State of Sabah.

1964 SABAH overprints

The series overprinted SABAH in 1964 incorporated new DLR printings to supplement leftover sheets of 4 cent, 5 cent, 20 cent and 35 cents to 10 dollars denominations. They received replacement in 1965 by general Malaysian designs.

Japanese occupation

Japanese occupation stamps receive exclusion from this review, as are postage-due labels. There must have been a colossal number of underpaid items to justify almost 90 catalogued postage due issues.

Labuan

Early Labuan issues 1879-1890

Stamps received production for the offshore British colony of Labuan in 1879 until the postal service received taking over by BNB Company in 1890. Thereafter, the name Labuan received addition to several North Borneo designs.

Labuan Colony period 1902-1906

From 1902 specific stamps from 1 cent to 1 dollar captioned 'LABUAN COLONY' were available until receiving replacement in 1906 with Straits Settlements stamps.

Integration into North Borneo

Labuan became part of the Crown colony of North Borneo in 1946 and of the Malaysian state of Sabah in 1963.

Summary of problematic practices

The philatelic history of North Borneo stamps reveals several controversial practices by the British North Borneo Company:

Cancelled-to-order stamps - Large quantities prepared in London using hand-held devices, sold at reduced prices to dealers rather than being used for legitimate postal purposes.
Imperforate remainders - Surplus sheets sold directly to dealers, undermining the philatelic market and collector confidence.
Excessive surcharges - Numerous surcharges with little or no relevance to actual postal requirements, clearly aimed at the philatelic market rather than postal necessity.
Type font variations - Multiple type font 'errors' on locally produced surcharges in Sandakan, many considered intentional to create varieties for collectors.
Prolonged availability - Certain provisional issues (such as the 20 cents on 18 cents surcharge) remained available for decades beyond any legitimate postal need.
Charity overprints - While ostensibly for charitable purposes, many sets received direct sale to dealers or auction rather than genuine postal use.
Obsolete stock overprinting - Old stamp stocks from years or decades earlier receiving overprints for sale, particularly targeted at collectors.

These practices significantly damaged North Borneo's reputation among philatelists and deterred many collectors from pursuing the territory's stamps. The distinction between legitimately used postal stamps and those created primarily for philatelic revenue became increasingly blurred throughout the British North Borneo Company's administration.

Despite these controversial aspects, North Borneo stamps remain of historical interest as they document the territory's transition from chartered company administration through British Protectorate and Crown colony status to eventual integration into Malaysia as Sabah. The stamps themselves, particularly the pictorial issues, showcase the territory's natural beauty, indigenous peoples and administrative history, even as the circumstances of their production remain problematic from a philatelic ethics standpoint.

Note: This document presents the philatelic history of North Borneo from 1883 to 1963. For detailed catalogue information and specific stamp variations, consult the relevant Stanley Gibbons catalogue. The complex nature of North Borneo and Labuan issues requires specialist knowledge for comprehensive understanding.