2016-06-01 Wed

Each stamp collector has a personal opinion about their own collection or the stamps they get a chance to review. Some may fall in love with North Borneo bicolour stamps which were issued from 1894-1939. The stamps feature beautiful animals of a country which now belongs to the Federation of Malaysia.

A 2¢ stamp (Scott 60) was issued in 1894 depicting a majestic Malayan sambar. The stamp along with other lovely 1894 stamps were reissued in 1897.

Continuing the tradition, a Malayan sun bear appeared on a 1902 10¢ bicolour stamp. The rhinoceros hornbill (146) and the cassowary (149) appeared on stamps in 1909. Most of these animals are today endangered species.

There are several triangular stamps that depict animals on them like: the 1¢ hornbill (Scott 271); 2¢ bushbuck (272); 3¢ West African dwarf buffalo (273); 4¢ pygmy hippopotamus (274); 5¢ lesser egret (275); and a less exotic but still interesting human on the 6¢ stamp: President E.J. Barclay (276).

A country named Tonga issued round stamps in 1963, printed and embossed on foil to replicate Tonga coins. In 1964, a heart-shaped foil Tonga stamp was issued to commemorate the Pan-Pacific and Southeast Asia Women’s Association Conference. Tonga stamps have featured bananas, military medals, sailing ships and Boy Scout tents and many other interesting subjects.

In 1973, Bhutan issued set of seven very unusual stamps which are plastic phonograph records that can be played on a stereo turntable. The stamps can play a recording about Bhutanese history; the Royal Bhutan anthem and folk songs.

In 2008, a more advanced version of the original concept was introduced with the release of two souvenir sheets or sealed envelopes containing compact discs. One features five kings of Bhutan and the other is named “In Harmony with Nature”.