Tuesday, 20 October 2026

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. 























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