Picture Postcards of North Borneo
Picture Postcards
Deltiology is a term referring to the study and collection of postcards. Related closely to philately, collecting postcards is said to be the third largest hobby worldwide (after stamps and coin/banknotes). In those days of 1900s, where internet, email, telephone and even camera are not available, picture postcards would have been the only sensible way of communication between families and friends. The depiction of scenes/old towns/local people in many of those postcards now give us some invaluable historical images and a rough glimpse into the life, activity and scenery of North Borneo in the olden days.
In the last few weeks, several interesting North Borneo postcards have been listed in ebay. As the ancient saying goes 'A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words', here's some of the nice postcards of North Borneo/Labuan to be admired and appreciated:
1. Harbour Office, Labuan coloured Postcard
This coloured postcard depicts the Harbour Offices of Labuan. The backside is not shown. It reached a remarkable final price of US$ 400.50 with 9 bids. The top right is affixed with two stamps of 2 cents and cancelled with what possibly a Jesselton cancel to me. The seller mentions the year to be 1917. I'm not sure which one is the publisher but possibly from Singapore.
2. Sandakan Fishing Boat
This one ended with C$255 after 3 bids. It shows two native fishing boats and a bigger ship at the horizon. There is no caption or reference on the front side apart from number '66' at the right lower corner. At the back, the postcard is franked with 8 cents stamp and cancelled Sandakan, 20 Jun 1927. The message is written in English but surprisingly sent to one of the most uncommon European destination - Talinn, Estonia. There is no mention of publisher at the back but based on the heading "Postcard" above, this is probably produced in Singapore by Japanese photographers and artists in the 1920s. This can be confirmed by finding a triangular space for affixing stamp at the top right - covered in this postcard.
3. Jesselton Scene, North Borneo
Sold for £54.10 by a seller from Poland. This one depicts a view of Jesselton in the olden days. Published by Phillippe & Sons, Sandakan. The back has two 1c. stamps - both uncancelled. Sent to Germany. Curiously, the above right is scripted 'Registered'.
4. Type of Native Children (Bajau Tribe), North Borneo
The postcard captures a nice atmosphere within the sea-dwelling Bajau tribe of North Borneo. There are about 22 children shown in the picture (I might be wrong) - The hero must be the one at the very front! There are also several boats characteristic to the sea-Bajaus shown in the picture. 2 cents stamp of the British Protectorate issue is affixed on the front. The postcards is published by Phillippe & Sons, Sandakan (No.40) Final price US$ 174.95.
5. Maxi Card of a Native Riding a Buffalo
Maximaphily is a special branch in philately related to the study and collection of Maxi Card (or Maximum card). This is a type of card whereby the photo depicted resembles the picture shown in the stamps. The above postcard is pretty much the best possible example - the stamps used depict a native riding a buffalo - the card shows the exact same scene. The stamps are cancelled with Sandakan double ring cds dated 1 Jan 1939 - Earliest possible use. At the back shows some scribbles. The postcard is published by K Ltd (Kodak Limited).
6. Liwan Dusuns (or Hill Dusuns) of North Borneo
The postcard presents the Liwan tribe called Dagas (or Hill Dusuns) of North Borneo. This group of 10 women and men are carrying their produce - possibly for a trade in a local market (Tamu). One guy is carrying a gong - the most important musical instrument among the natives of North Borneo. The postcard is sent to the US but I'm not sure if 3 cents is the right rate for such a destination. Nonetheless it's a nice collectible. This postcard is published by Funk & Sons, Sandakan (No.49) but note also that the same picture is also published by another postcard publisher in Singapore, S.P.G (series 21) with a capital that reads 'Carriers in North Borneo'. Final price: US$ 192.50.
7. Mount Kinabalu, B.N.B
An interesting real photo postcard sent by Mr. Fung Shong Kong of Sandakan - a renowned name in postcard collection. This one depicts the majestic Mount Kinabalu (13,450 ft.) franked with two stamps of 3 cents and 5 cents. The card is type-written on 11.1.37 and sent to New Jersey, US. Final price: US$ 167.50.
8. Dyak, Wild Men of Borneo
Shows two Dyak men of Borneo with their traditional headhunting dress. Both men have their weapon at the sides. Franked with multiple North Borneo stamps (7) and sent to an uncommon destination of Zamboanga, Philippines. Unknown publisher.
