Sarawak Stamps

The First Sarawak Stamps. The Three Cents of 1869.

The first Sarawak stamps was officially issued to the public on March 1st, 1869. Of Three Cents denomination, it bore a portrait bust of the first Rajah Sir James Brooke, despite the fact that he had died some nine month earlier. Although the reasons which prompted the Government of Sarawak to order a stamp are not know, it is probable that it was intended to serve both postal and fiscal purposes.


Stamp Issue 1836




The Messrs. Maclure, Macdonald & Macgregor Issue of 1875

The postal rates that had been the subject of the 1874 agreement between the Governments of Sarawak and the Straits Settlements were to take effect from January 1st, 1875. Since a single denomination stamp was considered inadequate an order was placed for a series of five values 2 cents, 4 cents, 6 cents, 8 cents and 12 cents to augment the existing 3 cents stamp.

The order was placed with the same printers who had been responsible for the two previous stamps, Messrs. Maclure, Macdonald & Macgregor of 37, Walbrook,E.C. & Glasgow and the design remained virtually the same as the 3 cents stamp of 1871, only the value being altered. Although the actual date of issue is not known for certain it is reasonable to assume that the five stamps became available to the public on January 1st, 1875 as planned.




The De La Rue Issues of 1888 to 1897

The government of Sarawak decided to place an order for a completely new series of stamps from Messrs. De La Rue & Co. Ltd. The denominations required the same as those already existing, namely 2 cents, 3 cents, 6 cents, 8 cents and 12 cents together with an additional value, 25 cents. The first supplies of this new series reached the country and were placed on sale on November 10th, 1888.


The De La Rue Issues of 1888 to 1897




The De La Rue Issues of 1888 to 1908



Stamp Issue 1889 - 1891




Stamp Issue 1892




February 1895
The Perkins Bacon Definitive Issue of 1895




Stamp Issue 1899




The De La Rue Issues of 1918 to 1923




The De La Rue Issues of 1928 to 1929



1st May 1934
The Bradbury Wilkinson Issues of 1934 & 1941




1st June 1946
The Sarawak Centenary Commemorative Issue of 1946



16th April 1947
The Royal Cypher Issue of 1947





1st January 1950
George VI definitives issued







1st June 1955
First Queen Elizabeth definitives issued






Source
More detailed information on the postal history of Sarawak is contained in Edward Proud's book "The Postal History of British Borneo"
http://britborneostamps.org.uk/

http://sarawakstamps.com/

History of Sarawak

Sarawak's history is like a story out of a novel filled with enthralling characters that played important roles in its past set against a colorful yet beautiful background. From the Sarawak River banks where James Brooke first landed to the interior and coastlines of the state, its past had always exuded a mysterious and alluring time.



The Brooke era chronicles the time ruled by three generations of an English family whose first foray into Sarawak came with James Brooke, the first White Rajah. In 1839, James Brooke arrived in Kuching to deliver a letter to the governor of Sarawak, Rajah Muda Hashim. At the time, Sarawak was under the rule of the Brunei Sultanate and in a state of mayhem and rebellion from the Malays and Bidayuh who had been forced into hard labour by the Governor. With the Brunei power deteriorating and Rajah Muda Hashim unable to control the uprising, he requested for James Brooke to intercede and bring about a peaceful settlement with the natives. Brooke's success was rewarded with a sizable territory in Sarawak. He was also installed as the White Rajah of Sarawak in 1842. Rajah Brooke died in 1868 but not before expanding his territory.




His nephew Charles Brooke successded him. It is recorded that Charles Brooke was a capable, organized ruler who brought about proper system of government and extension of Sarawak's borders. in 1917, Charles Vyner Brooke(1874-1963). the eldest surviving son of Charles, succeeded his father. Rajah Vyner(always known as Vyner) did not interfere with local customs, but drew the line at headhunting, which was practiced by Dayak tribesmen.




During the Japanese occupation from 1941-1945, Charles and his family fled to Australia. The Japanese's hold on Sarawak began to unravel up on the arrival of the British and Australian troops, who landed in the Kelabit Highlands. By 1945, the Japenese surrendered. The return of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke to Sarawak saw his role as White Rajah on 15 April 1946, Sarawak had been placed under the Australian Military Administration prior to his return.




Sir Charles' announcement to relinquish Sarawak to Britain result in the matter being brought up before the Council Negeri. For three days the issue was discussed and thus, the council agreed by 19 votes against 16.


Source
http://sarawakstamps.com/