Negri Sembilan State is the smallest of the Malay States. It lies on the West coast of the Malay Peninsula South of Selangor and Pahang. Prior to British influence which began in 1874, it was controlled by the Portuguese, the Dutch, and Johore.

Stamps from Negri Sembilan initially were overprinted Straits Settlements stamps which were issued beginning in 1891. Later that year specific stamps were issued which used the keyplates used by the other Malay States featuring a sideways tiger, and later a front facing tiger. The 1935 set features the badge of the State. There are only a few variations for the specialist and unfortunately I do not have an image to show the 3c ordinary paper or the 25c and 30c striated paper issues. Hopefully a reader will send a scan so I can include it in this listing.

The key to idenfying the varieties found in this set of stamps lies in the paper types. There were three types used: Chalk Paper was used for the original printings in 1935, Ordinary (also called Substitute) Paper was used for a couple of printings in 1941, and Thin Striated Paper was used also in 1941. The Japanese invaded Malaya in December, 1941. Subsequently the stock of stamps was overprinted for use during the occupation. Most of the 25c and 30c striated paper issues are found with the overprints.

Identifying the paper types is fairly easy if you have something to compare. Luckily most of the stamps were printed on chalk paper, so use any of the chalk paper printings as a comparison. I place the stamps on black paper under a strong light to compare them. The chalk papers will look thick compared to the other two papers when seen from the back. Use the 6c Grey or the 15c Ultramarine as a comparison for the Ordinary Paper, and the 2c Orange and 3c Green as a comparison for the Striated Paper issues. You might also notice subtle lines in the Striated paper.

Unlike modern stamps which are issued in the millions, definitive sets from this time period were issued very conservatively. I do not have the quantity printed, but would be interested in adding this information to this page if a fellow collector provides it.

The catalog numbers are from the 2008 Commonwealth King George VI Postage Stamp Catalogue (CW) published by Murray Payne, 2013 Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogue (SG) and the 2011 Scott catalog (ST). The historical details, descriptions, and dates are from "The Postage Stamps of the Federated Malay States, Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Selangor, Straits Settlements, Sungei Ujong, and Trengganu" by Dr. F. E. Wood. You can access the catalogue publishers using the "Links to British Colonial Stamp Sites" at the bottom of this page.

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This article was written to help you identify your stamps.
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