Post by kgvistamps on Aug 8, 2018 14:56:48 GMT
Unlike most of the other British Colony issues, Brunei used the same stamp design for almost 50 years. As a result, it is sometimes hard to determine which stamp is from which printing.
The answer to this question tends to be found in analyzing the watermark and the color of the stamps.
If you collect the stamps of Brunei, I have prepared a series of web pages that will help you sort your stamps. They are based on the listings in the Commonwealth Five Reigns Catalogue which was last printed in 1980, but includes the Commonwealth, Gibbons and Scott numbers so it should be useful for most collectors.
Each of the pages includes images of all the stamps that I have been able to accumulate (or find images at least) as well as an overview of the watermarks and color identifications. All pages are written with the intent of adding (or correcting) information as it is provided by other collectors. So feel free to use the link on each page if you can provide some additional information.
The pages are organized based on the date the set was issued as shown below:
The 1907 set was the first issue for the classic design. The stamps were printed on paper watermarked Multiple Crown CA, and all of the values used two colors.
The 1908 set replaced the first issue. The stamps were printed on paper watermarked Multiple Crown CA, and all of the values used a single color. Scott lists both the 1907 and 1908 sets together, but the other two catalogs list them separately. This group included the 1c and 3c values that were printed using single and double plates which are catalogued by all three Catalogs. There is an enlarged illustration that will help you determine the difference between the two printings.
Essentially a trade show, the exhibition overprints can become an interesting study if you collect flaws (or varieties as they are also called). Unfortunately the various states of the type are not shown on this page, but might become a future addition if an expert provides them.
The 1924 set replaced the issues on paper watermarked Multiple Crown CA with the new Multiple Script CA watermark. In addition to the new watermark, a new design was added for three values. Many of the stamps were perforated using both a comb and a line perforation. So there is a lot to specialize in if you collect this set.
In December 1941, Brunei and the entire Malaysian Peninsula was captured by Japan. During the war Japanese overprints were applied to the stock of stamps in inventory. I would be happy to put together a page showing the Japanese overprints if a collector has a complete set of scans available for use. After the war, a new set of stamps using different colors was issued for use. Specialists can collect the various perforations and colors used for these stamps.
Thanks for looking. If you view any of these sites and can add some information please feel free to contact me.
