Story of Sarawak through its stamps

– Rajah Sarawak era to Malaysia now

11th August 1839

James Brooke first arrived in Sarawak in the yacht Royalist.

24th September 1841

James Brooke granted government of Sarawak by Raja Muda Hassim

By 1855

Postal service in operation.

8th September 1867

Opening of Council Negri (State Council)

                                                                                   

11th June 1868

On his death, James Brooke had bequeathed Sarawak to his nephew 

Charles Johnson later renamed Charles Anthony Brooke

1st March 1869

First definitive stamp issued depicting James Brooke. Local postal service established.

1st January 1871

  New definitive stamp issued depicting Charles Brooke.

1875

First "receipt" stamps issued.

                                                                   

10th November 1888

New definitive stamps printed by de la Rue.

1889

Revenue stamps issued.

                                                                               

February 1895

New definitive stamps printed by Perkins Bacon

1st July 1897

Sarawak joined UPU.

                                                                                                   

1899

Revenue stamps overprinted "Customs" issued.

10th November 1899

De la Rue definitives reissued without "revenue".

17th May 1917

Rajah Sir Charles Brooke died. 

Charles Vyner Brooke installed as Rajah.

                                                                      

26th March 1918

New definitive stamps issued showing Charles Vyner Brooke

1st January 1932

New definitive stamps issued printed by Waterlow.

1st May 1934

New definitive stamps issued printed by Bradbury Wilkinson.

                                                                                                                                                 

17th December 1945

New stamps issued overprinted BMA (British Military Administration)

15th April 1946

Sarawak transferred back to Rajah Charles Vyner Brooke.

                                                                                    

18^th May1946

The Sarawak Centenary Commemorative stamps  was issued.

To mark that a century of rule by three  white Rajah.

1st June 1946

British Crown Colony of Sarawak established.

                                                                                     

16th April 1947

Stamps reissued overprinted with Royal Cypher and Script CA watermark.

1st January 1950

George VI definitives issued.

                                                                                     

1st June 1955

First Queen Elizabeth defiitives issued.

31st August 1963

Sarawak became self-governing.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

16th September 1963

Sarawak joined Malaysia Federation.

15th November 1965

Orchid definitive stamps issued.

                                                                                  

1st February 1971

Butterfly definitive stamps issued with Sarawak Arms printed by Bradbury Willkinson.

12th February 1977

Butterfly definitive stamps re-issued with Sarawak crest printed by Harrison.

                                                                                      

30th April 1979

Flowers definitive stamps issued.

1983-86

Flowers definitive stamps reprinted on un-watermarked paper.

                                                                                 

25th October 1986

Agro products definitives issued.

1st September 1993

Agro products definitives re-issued showing new shield.