Printing Re-entries in North Borneo and Labuan stamps

 

The re-entries stamps from the North Borneo 1911 high values set can be quite elusive and probably the catalogue prices understated their value and rarity. They are present in this set up to the $2 value. They are also known as double oar varieties but it is easier to pick them out from the doubling of the dots around the lion.

So why do re-entries occur? During a long run of printing, the printing plate might need to be repaired due to plate wearing or damage. It refers to a specific type of plate repair or alteration that occurs on line line engraved printing plates. It happens when a transfer roll from the Master Die is pressed back into a printing plate position to fix or strengthen a design impression. When the alignment of the new roll press is slightly off from the original, it creates a permanent design duplication.

I have the following sheets and stamps for some years but not really look at them until today. I bought them at the BPS auction as I guess this type of stuff is very specialised. Whoever compiled them in the first place spent a lot of effort and eye work.

Vignette Re-entries

Stamp 4

Stamp 5

Stamp 9

Stamp 71

Stamp 75

Frame Re-entries

Stamps 10 and 20

Stamp 30

Stamps 44 and 45

Stamps 50 and 65

Stamps 71 and 80

 

Stamp 82

Position of stamp unknown

These are some of the re-entries known on the stamp series from 1894 and 1897. A more comprehensive list is present in The Stamps and Postal History of North Borneo part 3. 

A 7th Field Squadron Royal Australian Engineers cover from Keningau in 1964

 

This is another one of my purchases from the recent Borneo Philatelic Auction. This is the sort of very uncommon material that only comes up in a specialised auction even though it may rarely turned up on eBay. The first thing is a 10c North Borneo stamp used with a Keningau Sabah Malaysia postmark dated 3 JUL 64. The colonial 1961 stamp issue were withdrawn on 30 June 1964 and the SABAH overprints were put on sale the next day, 1 July 1964 together with new Sabah Malaysia dated cancellers. Though withdrawn, the North Borneo stamps were valid until 1 April 1970. 10c was the concessionary rate for Forces Air Mail as the normal rate to GB would have been 75c. 

On the cover is an etiquette for Forces Air Mail and more importantly the hand stamp for 7 Fd. Sqn RAE. This is the 7th Field Squadron Royal Australian Engineers which were stationed at Keningau in the Interior Residency during the Malaysia Indonesia Confrontation.They were there between mid 1964 and early 1965 with operations extending into the surrounding jungle and border regions near Indonesian Kalimantan. Their parent unit was normally based at Enoggera, Queensland.

Their primary mission was hearts and minds projects with local infrastructure development, defensive works and supporting Commonwealth security forces deployed along the border. At Keningau, they constructed and upgraded local airfields to facilitate light aircraft and helicopter supply runs for the troops and local communities. They also build roads and tracks to connect with remote settlements. Additionally, they helped construct local water supply systems, bridges, school serving the local native population. This secured local support against cross-border incursions by the Indonesians.

In the field, they helped to prepare or build defences, helipads, tactical bridges and provided route clearance with explosive ordnance disposal assistance where required. After a 6 month tour of duty, they were relieved by 1st Field Squadron RAE who continued engineering operations in Sabah as well as Sarawak in early 1965 until mid 1965. From mid 1965 to November 1965, it was the 24th Construction Squadron, RAE. This squadron under the codename Operation Granite carried out major heavy civil infrastructure tasks including cutting supply roads through rainforest and heavy mud. Lastly, the 21st Construction Squadron continued the work from November 1965 to June 1966, winding down as peace talks progressed.

This short article has been written with the help of  AI which means absolute accuracy cannot be guarantee.