The Oldest Ned Indie Stamp Cancellation in Penang and Singapore, Malaya Straits Settlements

OVERVIEW

One of the most famous stamps of Dutch Colonial is Netherlands Indies stamp covering Borneo, Java and parts of Sumatra. The first Ned Indie stamps was issued in 1864, depicting King William III. From 1883, low values had a design based on the numeral, while higher values continued to portray the monarch, which from 1892 was Queen Wilhelmina.

BEARING PENANG AND SINGAPORE A PART OF CANCELLATION

As refer to the Journal of the American Society for Netherlands Philately, before 1843 the Dutch mail to Europe was sent via overland from Penang, Malaysia-Negapatam, India then mail to Europe via Cape route around Africa, trip could take more than a year. However, in 1843 Dutch mail could be sent by ship via Singapore to Suez and forwarded by the Suez-Alexandria overland mail with connection to a European port and thereafter by train/ship to the Netherlands. The opening of Suez Canal in 1869 resulted in expanding mail servicing Far East.

Ironically, Dutch East India Company (VOC) had linked their mails service with British East India mail services in Straits Settlements region. Since Dutch lines did not serve the east coast of Sumatra on their route to/from Europe, therefore the Ned Indie mail frequently was sent via Penang or Singapore and carried to Europe by either P&O or Norddeutscher Lloyd steamers.

Note: Vessel P&O, she was destroyed in an accident in 1879. Vessel Hooghly served at Straits Settlements region from 1819 until 1863, she was sank on 10 December, 1863. Other vessel serves for Far East was so-called 'Ligne N', a French liner (S.S Athos II until 1859).

ROUTE NED-INDIE TO EUROPE

STATIONARY POSTCARD I 

Postcard wrote on 20 October 1883, sent from Kotaradja (Bandar Aceh, Indonesia) to Utrecht (Netherlands), franked with 7_1/2 cent brown on 12 November 1883, route from Kotaradja to Penang, via sea, then there have used British mail route from Penang to Brindisi (Italy), used vessel C5 via sea route, from Brindisi to Utrecht (Netherlands), via overland and Utrecht arrival postmark of 20 December 1883, journey took 62 days.

Gorgeous and rare cancellation when on the back, double circle postmark “NED.INDIE-PENANG 14/11/1883” as part of cancellation, whereas in-front rectangular postmark “NED-INDIE VIA BRINDISI”.

STATIONARY POSTCARD II

ROUTE: KOTA RADJA-PENANG-BRINDISI-BREDA

Postcard wrote on 28 Dec 1892, sent from Kota Radja, Bandar Aceh (Indonesia) to Breda (Holland), franked with 7_1/2 cent brown on same day 28 Dec 1892, route from Kota Radja to Penang, via sea, then used British mail route from Penang (Malaysia) to Brindisi (Italy), used vessel B6 via sea route, from Brindisi to Breda, via overland and Breda arrival postmark of 1 Feb 1893, journey took 35 days.

Scarce cancellation when on the front, single circle postmark inscribed “Postagent Penang” dated 2 January, 1893 as part of cancellation, faster 27 days comparing Postcard I, which was 10 years ago. Indeed, speed of Vessel B6 (Osiris & Iris 1890s, express steamers for weekly express mail service/P&O Valetta 1884) faster than C5 (S.S. Khiva 1874/Ravenna 1882).

STATIONARY POSTCARD III

ROUTE: PALEMBANG-SINGAPORE-BRINDISI-BERLIN

Postcard wrote on 22 Jun 1891, sent from Palembang (Indonesia) to Berlin (Germany), franked with 7_1/2 cent brown 26 Jun 1891, route from Palembang to Singapore, via sea, then used British mail route from Singapore to Brindisi (Italy), via sea route, from Brindisi to Berlin, via overland and Berlin no arrival postmark.

Scarce cancellation when on the front, double circle postmark inscribed “Postagent Singapore” dated 26 June, 1891 as part of cancellation.

ROUTE EUROPE TO NED INDIE

Ten years later, letter from Arnhem, Netherlands to Surabaya (Soerabaia), Indonesia, franked with 5 cent blue and double circle postmark “ARNHEM 3 DEC 93”, registered NED-INDIE STOOMSCHEEPS, via sea route.  On the back, Surabaya arrival postmark of 19 January 1894, journey took 47 days.

Conclusion

According to A. Arthur Schiller, Dutch East Indies Postal Agencies were operated in Penang & Singapore from 18^th January, 1878 until 1^st. January, 1921. Hence, there are possibilities that the mails to European countries had been transited via Penang as earlier than year 1883. Also few Ned Indie stamps were direct cancellation in Straits Settlements regions such as in Singapore and Penang.

Instead of Straits Settlements stamps, Ned Indie stamps were used as a part of cancellation or direct cancellation in Malaya Straits Settlements. It is deemed shows that how good the relationships between Dutch East India Company and British East India Company, in term of global collaboration.