1889 Genuine British North Borneo 4c Stamp

Recently, I was very lucky enough to come upon an unused 120-year-old postage stamp from British North Borneo (now known as Sabah) in pristine condition.

North Borneo was a British Protectorate and later Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom, situated in what is now the province of Sabah, Malaysia. British involvement began with the granting of a charter to the British North Borneo Company in August 1881. The settlements were made a protectorate on 12 May 1888, and the island of Labuan attached from 1890 to Japan from January 1942 to 10 June 1945, after which a British military administration was in charge, until 15 July 1946. The colony joined Malaysia on 16 September 1963.

Initially, mail from North Borneo was sent via Labuan or Singapore, using postage stamps of the Straits Settlements. The company issued its own stamps in March 1883, using a design incorporating the coat of arms (a dhow and a lion), inscribed "NORTH BORNEO", and with the value written in English, Arabic, and Chinese. Initial values included 2c, 4c, and 8c, followed by large 50c and $1 stamps of an more elaborate design with the arms flanked by two natives.

State Ensign of British North Borneo, 1882-1942

In 1886 1/2c, 1c, and 10c values were added, and there was a demand for 3c and 5c stamps, resolved by overprinting existing types. At the same time, the printers (Blades, East, and Blades of London) produced a new design, largely the same but inscribed "BRITISH NORTH BORNEO", and joined by 25c and $2 values, also with elaborate frames. The stamps were redesigned again in 1888, to say "POSTAGE & REVENUE" instead of just "POSTAGE", at which time the 25c to $2 values also received minor changes. These were followed up in 1889 by even larger and more elaborate $5 and $10 stamps.

Offer Price: B$75