Johore Stamps
Johore is a state located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Historically, it was one of the Federated Malay States under British protection, leading to a distinct postal history separate from the Straits Settlements until the formation of Malaysia.
- Issued stamps
- 1876–2018
- Region
- Asia, Southeast Asia
- Currency
- MYR
- Languages
- English, Malay, Jawi
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- Malaysia
About Johore stamps
Stamps from this period predominantly feature English alongside Jawi script or Malay, reflecting the administrative language and local tongue. Johore maintained its own postal service and unique stamp issues until its integration into the unified Malaysian postal system.
Further reading: Wikipedia
Inscriptions to look for
Words printed on the stamp that point to this issuer. Search any of them in the issuer directory.
- JOHORE
- JOHOR
- B.M.A.
How to identify Johore stamps
- Look for the name 'JOHORE' or 'JOHOR' (later issues) prominently displayed.
- Early stamps often feature portraits of Sultans (Abu Bakar, Ibrahim) or the Johore tiger motif.
- Many stamps include text in both English and Jawi script (Malay written in Arabic characters).
- Pay attention to watermarks, overprints (especially 'B.M.A.' for British Military Administration or Japanese occupation overprints), and surcharges.
Popular series
-
Sultan Abu Bakar Issues
1884-1891
Early issues featuring the portrait of Sultan Abu Bakar, often surcharged or overprinted.
-
Tiger Issues
1903-1904
Stamps depicting a tiger, a symbol of Johore, with various denominations.
-
Sultan Ibrahim Issues
1904-1940
Long-running series featuring the portrait of Sultan Ibrahim, with numerous color and watermark variations.
-
Japanese Occupation Issues
1942-1945
Stamps of Johore overprinted by the Japanese during World War II.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- $0.50–$10
- Scarce stamps
- $100–$5,000+
Common Johore stamps are generally affordable. Early issues, errors, varieties, and high-denomination stamps, especially those from the Sultan Abu Bakar and Japanese Occupation periods, can fetch significant prices. Condition plays a crucial role in value.
Catalogs. Johore stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about Johore stamps
Johore stamps are postage stamps issued by the state of Johore, located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. Johore maintained its own postal service and distinct stamp issues from 1876 until its integration into the unified Malaysian postal system, initially under British protection and later as part of Malaysia.
The value of Johore stamps varies widely. Common issues can be found for under $10, while rare early issues, specific varieties, errors, and high-denomination stamps, particularly those from the Sultan Abu Bakar period or with Japanese occupation overprints, can be highly valuable, reaching thousands of dollars. Factors like condition, rarity, and historical significance heavily influence their worth.
To identify Johore stamps, look for the name 'JOHORE' or 'JOHOR' on the stamp. Many issues feature portraits of the Sultans (Abu Bakar, Ibrahim) or the iconic Johore tiger. Text is often in both English and Jawi script. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
Johore stamps are comprehensively listed in major international stamp catalogs. You can find them in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (Volume 3 for Asia), the Michel Ostasien (East Asia) catalog, and the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalogue (Part 3 for British Asia).
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