Sarawak Stamps
Sarawak, situated on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia, was historically an independent sultanate that became a British Crown Colony following its cession to the Brooke family in the mid-19th century. Its postal history is marked by issues under the White Rajahs, followed by British colonial administration until joining the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.
- Issued stamps
- 1869–2018
- Region
- Asia, Southeast Asia
- Currency
- MYR
- Languages
- English, Malay
- Issuer type
- Colonial postal administration
- Part of
- United Kingdom
About Sarawak stamps
Stamps from this era predominantly feature English alongside Malay, reflecting the administrative language and local culture. The transition to Malaysian postal authority marked a significant administrative shift, integrating Sarawak into the broader Malaysian postal system while retaining some distinct local issues early in the federation period.
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.
- SARAWAK
- POSTAGE & REVENUE
How to identify Sarawak stamps
- Look for 'SARAWAK' inscription, often alongside 'POSTAGE & REVENUE'.
- Early stamps feature portraits of the Brooke Rajahs; later issues feature Queen Elizabeth II.
- Many stamps are bi-lingual, with English and Malay text.
- Watermarks (e.g., Crown CA, Script CA) are important for identifying specific printings and periods.
Popular series
-
First Issues (Brooke Raj)
1869-1899
Early issues featuring the portrait of Charles Brooke, the second White Rajah, often with surcharges.
-
Pictorial Issues
1932-1950
Stamps depicting local scenes, wildlife, and the portrait of Charles Vyner Brooke, the third White Rajah.
-
Queen Elizabeth II Issues
1950-1963
Colonial issues featuring the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, marking the transition to Crown Colony status.
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 Sarawak stamps are generally affordable. Rarities include early surcharges, errors, and high-value definitives, especially those in fine used or mint condition. Covers and postal history items can also command significant prices.
Catalogs. Sarawak 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 Sarawak stamps
Sarawak stamps are postage stamps issued by the historical state of Sarawak, located on the island of Borneo. They were issued under the rule of the Brooke family (the White Rajahs) and subsequently as a British Crown Colony, before Sarawak joined the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.
The value of Sarawak stamps varies widely. Common issues can be found for under $10, while rare stamps, such as early surcharges, errors, and high-denomination definitives, especially in pristine condition, can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Factors like condition, rarity, and historical significance heavily influence their value.
Sarawak stamps can be identified by the 'SARAWAK' inscription, the portraits of the Brooke Rajahs or Queen Elizabeth II, and often bilingual text in English and Malay. The Stamp Identifier app can suggest the issue from a photo; confirm the catalog number, and ask an expert about anything valuable.
Sarawak stamps are extensively listed in major international stamp catalogs. Collectors can find detailed information 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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