Japanese occupation of Malaya 1944 set of two

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

British Malaya (1826-1957) was a protectorate on the Malay Peninsula and the island of Singapore comprising the Straits Settlements (under direct British colonial rule), the Federated Malay States (Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor) and the Unfederated Malay States (Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu).

Malaya issued its first stamps in 1900, but all its component states also issued their own stamps.

Malaya was invaded by the Empire of Japan in 1941 and was conquered and occupied from 1942 to 1945.

Japan issued occupation stamps for Malaya as well as for most of its component parts.

Japanese occupation stamps of Malaya are of interest to collectors of the British Empire and of Japan.

On Feb. 15, 1944, the Japanese occupation of Malaya issued a set of two stamps to commemorate the conquest of Singapore and the birth of new Malaya (Scott N42-N43). Singapore fell to the Japanese on Feb. 15, 1942.

The design of the stamps shows Malayans planting rice in the foreground with a map of Malaya in the background.

The Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue values the set in unused, hinged condition at $22.50.

While this set is not scarce, it is also not particularly easy to find. A lightly hinged set in very fine grade is a good buy at full Scott catalog value.

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