Malaya (Malacca)
Chapter overview
For Acknowledgments see the main Asia page
Currency
- Impressed revenue stamps (catalogue numbers prefixed Z)
- Revenue (catalogue numbers prefixed R)
- Revenue usage of Postage stamps (catalogue numbers prefixed S)
For Acknowledgments see the main Asia page
Currency
- (Until 1967) 100 cents = 1 Straits / Malayan / Malaya & British Borneo dollar
- (Since 1967) 100 cents (sen) = 1 Malaysian dollar (ringgit)
Impressed revenue stamps
Singapore Stamp Office $5 used in Malacca in 1868, and 25c die with blank tablet at foot used in 1886
The Stamp Office embossed revenues produced for Singapore were used on Malacca documents from 1867 onwards. Singapore dies were used initially without modification, and Malacca usage can be identified only from cancels appearing alongside the embossed impressions. The Singapore $2.50, $5 and $15 stamps are known used in Malacca in 1868-69.
Singapore ceased using the Stamp Office die in 1883, after which the name Singapore was excised and the die was sent to Malacca. The 25c and 50c dies with a blank at foot are known used in Malacca in 1885-86 as illustrated here.
Singapore ceased using the Stamp Office die in 1883, after which the name Singapore was excised and the die was sent to Malacca. The 25c and 50c dies with a blank at foot are known used in Malacca in 1885-86 as illustrated here.
QV embossed proof set - no issued examples are recorded ($500 value shown below)
Illustrated here is a proof set of impressed stamps featuring the portrait of Queen Victoria, produced in the mid 1880s. There are 26 values ranging from 3c to $500, all inked in vermilion with spaces for date plugs to be inserted. I have not seen any issued examples from this set.
The same dies are known used from 1888 as over-embossing cancels to tie adhesive stamps to documents.
The same dies are known used from 1888 as over-embossing cancels to tie adhesive stamps to documents.
Z1 essay, Z2 used and Z3 proof
1885-1940. Cheque stamps, 17 x 28 mm, featuring crown. Date plugs with year at foot.
[Z1. 3c vermilion (1885)]
Z2. 4c vermilion (1920)
[Z3. 6c vermilion (1940)]
Note: the dates are based on the archive material. There exists a handpainted essay for Z1 dated 16th September 1885, and proofs for Z2 and Z3 dated 1920 and 1940 respectively. Z2 is known used in 1928. I have not seen any issued examples of Z1 or Z3.
[Z1. 3c vermilion (1885)]
Z2. 4c vermilion (1920)
[Z3. 6c vermilion (1940)]
Note: the dates are based on the archive material. There exists a handpainted essay for Z1 dated 16th September 1885, and proofs for Z2 and Z3 dated 1920 and 1940 respectively. Z2 is known used in 1928. I have not seen any issued examples of Z1 or Z3.
Revenue
R1/3
1950. King George VI Large Nyasa key type, inscribed REVENUE at both sides. 25½ x 30 mm. Wmk Multiple Script CA. Perf 13. Printed (typo) by De La Rue in sheets of 50.
R1. $25 red and brown
R2. $100 purple and blue
R3. $250 black and green
Printings (details from Crown Agents Requisition books):
R1. $25 red and brown
R2. $100 purple and blue
R3. $250 black and green
Printings (details from Crown Agents Requisition books):
- Req 1290/1 (sent to Malaya 21st & 22nd November 1950): $25 (252 sheets), $100 (252 sheets), $250 (247 sheets)
Revenue usage of Postage stamps
Note: for ease of reference, numbering follows the Stanley Gibbons Part 1 catalogue throughout this section. Values listed here are those recorded as having been used for revenue purposes. For perforation, watermark and printing details of commemorative issues listed in this section, please refer to the Gibbons catalogue.
S1/2
1948. Royal Silver Wedding.
S1. 10c violet
S2. $5 brown
S1. 10c violet
S2. $5 brown
S12/17
1949-52. King George VI portrait in oval with palm trees at sides. Wmk Mult Script CA. Perf 17½ x 18. Chalk-surfaced paper. Printed (typo) by De La Rue.
S12. 25c purple and orange
S13. 40c red and purple
S14. 50c black and blue
S15. $1 blue and purple
S16. $2 green and scarlet
S17. $5 green and brown
S12. 25c purple and orange
S13. 40c red and purple
S14. 50c black and blue
S15. $1 blue and purple
S16. $2 green and scarlet
S17. $5 green and brown
S19 and S21
1949. 75th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union.
S19. 15c deep blue
S21. 50c blue-black
S19. 15c deep blue
S21. 50c blue-black
S35/38
1954-57. As 1949-52 issue but now with portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
S35. 50c black and bright blue (1955)
S36. $1 bright blue and brown-purple
S37. $2 emerald and scarlet (1955)
S38. $5 emerald and brown (1955)
S35. 50c black and bright blue (1955)
S36. $1 bright blue and brown-purple
S37. $2 emerald and scarlet (1955)
S38. $5 emerald and brown (1955)
S39/49
1957. Pictorial designs with portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Wmk Multiple St Edward's Crown Block CA. Perf 13 x 12½ (1c to 8c), 12½ x 13 (10c, 20c), 13 x 11½-12½ (50c), 13½ ($1), 11½-12½ x 13 ($2, $5). Printed (recess) by De La Rue.
S39. 1c black
S41. 4c sepia
S46. 50c black and blue
S47. $1 ultramarine and reddish purple
S49. $5 brown and bronze-green
S39. 1c black
S41. 4c sepia
S46. 50c black and blue
S47. $1 ultramarine and reddish purple
S49. $5 brown and bronze-green
S57/60
1960-62. As previous issue but with inset Melaka Tree and Mouse Deer, 10c in new colour. Wmk Multiple PTM. Perf 13 x 12½ (1c to 8c, $2 & $5), perf 12½ x 13 (10c to 50c) or perf 13½ ($1). Printed (recess) by De La Rue.
S57. 50c black and blue
S58. $1 ultramarine and reddish purple
S59. $2 bronze-green and scarlet
S60. $5 brown and bronze-green
S57. 50c black and blue
S58. $1 ultramarine and reddish purple
S59. $2 bronze-green and scarlet
S60. $5 brown and bronze-green
Note: later issues of Malacca / Melaka are also recorded with revenue cancels but are not illustrated here. I have seen the following values:
- 1971 Butterflies: 10c
- 1979 Flowers: 10c
