Labuan Stamps
Labuan is a small island territory situated off the coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia, historically administered as a British Crown Colony. Its postal history is intrinsically linked to the Straits Settlements and later the Federated Malay States, with stamps often reflecting British colonial design standards and English as the primary language.
- Issued stamps
- 1879–1904
- Region
- Asia, Southeast Asia
- Currency
- GBP
- Languages
- English, Malay
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- United Kingdom
About Labuan stamps
Following World War II, Labuan was briefly incorporated into North Borneo before becoming part of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, a transition marked by definitive stamp issues reflecting its new national affiliation.
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.
- LABUAN
- POSTAGE & REVENUE
How to identify Labuan stamps
- Look for 'LABUAN' as the country name, often in conjunction with 'POSTAGE & REVENUE'.
- Many early issues are overprinted or surcharged, so examine these carefully.
- The portrait of Queen Victoria is common on earlier definitive issues.
- Later issues (1890s-1900s) often feature a 'Key Plate' design with a central vignette.
Popular series
-
Queen Victoria Issues
1879-1901
Early issues featuring the portrait of Queen Victoria, often overprinted or surcharged.
-
Key Plate Issues
1894-1904
Stamps with a common 'Key Plate' design, featuring a central vignette and the colony's name, often with various color and value changes.
-
Surcharged Issues
1890s
Numerous stamps from the Straits Settlements and earlier Labuan issues surcharged with new values.
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
- $5–$50
- Scarce stamps
- $100–$5,000+
Common Labuan stamps are relatively affordable, especially those without significant overprints. Rarer issues include early surcharges, errors, and high-value definitive stamps, particularly those in fine condition or with specific plate varieties. Stamps post-1904 are typically part of North Borneo or later Malaysian issues.
Catalogs. Labuan 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 Labuan stamps
Labuan stamps are postage stamps issued by the British Crown Colony of Labuan, an island off the coast of Borneo, between 1879 and 1904. They reflect its colonial administration and often feature British monarch portraits or 'Key Plate' designs.
The value of Labuan stamps varies significantly. Common issues can be found for a few dollars, while rare surcharges, errors, or high-value definitives, especially in superb condition, can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Factors like condition, rarity, and specific varieties greatly influence their worth.
To identify Labuan stamps, look for the inscription 'LABUAN' or 'POSTAGE & REVENUE LABUAN'. Pay close attention to any overprints or surcharges, as these are common. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
Labuan stamps are comprehensively listed in major philatelic catalogs. You can find them in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (Volume 3 for British Commonwealth), the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps catalogue, and the Michel Ostasien (East Asia) catalogue.
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