S.P.G Coloured Postcards of Borneo
Carriers in N. Borneo
S.P.G stands for Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel in Foreign Parts. This was an Anglican missionary organization based in
Britain and Ireland. It was founded by Reverand Dr, Thomas Bray in 1701. In its initial mission, priests were sent to North America to provide English colonialists with access to the worship of the church of England. Since its first inception, the society grew larger and by 1900s thousands of missionaries have been sent venturing into over 50 countries. They worked closely with the indigenous and native people and soon became their priority than the care of the colonialists.
Many types of postcards exist but S.P.G. postcards are quite notable for their coloured version although Black and White issues also exist.Because of its worldwide
missionary expediation particularly in the British colonies, postcards were
produced in countries like New Guinea, India, Australia, Japan, Burma, China,
Korea, Singapore and many more. The first 6 postcards from the society were published around 1904 on scenes in Chotta-Nagphur, India; West Africa; New Guinea; N. India, portrait of Chinese Mandarins and picture of Christian Japanese graduate in Kobe, Japan.
In the context of Borneo (North Borneo & Sarawak), several coloured postcards were issued. Two of the known postcards depicting North Borneo showed scenes originally published by Funk & Sons, Sandakan on (1) Carriers in North Borneo; and (2) Dusuns, Native of North Borneo. Three known postcards showing scenes of Sarawak depict: (1) A group of Dyaks; (2) Christian Dyaks, Borneo; (3) S.P.G Mission School, Banting, Sarawak.
Some of the SPG postcards on Borneo are as follow:
Women and Children, N. Borneo
A Group of Dyaks.
Christian Dyaks, Borneo
SPG's first Postcards:
