Kota Kinabalu: Efforts to preserve North Borneo stamps, which are now over 100 years old, are becoming increasingly important as these stamps become harder to find and to ensure that historical records and stories of Sabah’s development from previous eras are not lost.
The founder and president of the Borneo History Association, Dr Shari Jeffri, 56, described the philatelic collection issued between 1883 and 1963 as a “living archive” that needs to be passed down to the younger generation and preserved for those to come.
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“Today’s generation is less exposed to stamp collecting than in the past. Now only a few are really interested, and the number of enthusiasts is also decreasing,” he said.
A survey of several antique shops around Kota Kinabalu found that these valuable collectibles are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain and are being sold at high prices, depending on the age, condition and rarity of each stamp.
The survey, however, did uncover an album containing a six-cent North Borneo stamp featuring a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II alongside a Dusun woman, as well as a 10-cent stamp depicting logging activities, issued between 1954 and 1961.
Sharing the story behind his passion for philately, Shari said much of his collection was inherited from his late grandfather, who worked at the Recreation Club Jesselton in Kota Kinabalu during the 1920s.
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He said his grandfather began collecting stamps and postal artefacts after observing British officers who pursued the hobby, and hoped to inspire the same interest among future generations.
Shari was introduced to philately at the age of seven but only became an active collector during his secondary school years alongside his friends.
Since then, he has carefully maintained his family’s inherited collection, which further fuelled his deep interest in researching the history and evolution of stamps in the North Borneo territory.
Among his most valuable possessions are two two-cent North Borneo stamps from the 1883 issue, featuring a brown sailing boat and bearing postmarks.
“For stamp collectors, a collection is considered incomplete without the 1883 issue. Every stamp is more than just a means of paying postage, but rather a story line recording the events of a particular era,” he said.
Shari, who has been involved in philately for nearly 40 years, said North Borneo stamps were introduced in 1883 by the British North Borneo Chartered Company and remained in use for about 52 years.
He said the design of the stamp had changed over time, including in 1935 that more clearly reflected Sabah’s identity, in addition to being issued in various denomnations? from two sen to one dollar.
In the early stages, he said the stamps featured symbols and images such as lions, boats and tigers until around 1892, in addition to the motto Pergo et Perago (a Latin phrase that translates to ‘I undertake and I achieve’), as part of efforts to introduce the region to the outside world.
“Beginning in 1894, the designs changed to feature Borneo’s native flora, fauna and wildlife. The biggest challenge today is ensuring they are stored in acid-free albums to prevent them from fading,” he said.
Shari said stamps bearing complete postal cancellations are considered unique and rare, as well as more valuable because they display comprehensive postal information, including the mailing date, post office name, time and location where the letter was posted.
He said the use of stamp paper with a layer of glue was also an important feature in determining the authenticity and value of philatelic materials.
To deepen his knowledge regarding the authenticity of philatelic items, he sought guidance from experts in Singapore, Voon Kyam Foh and Tan Chun Lim, in addition to referring to specialised catalogues such as Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps.
Although the practice of exchanging letters has largely been displaced by digital communication, antique stamps from North Borneo remain invaluable witnesses to Sabah’s historical journey and need to be preserved.
