Malaysian stamp history - 01 a How it started

Malaysian stamps are great to collect.
Collectors of various topics, will find a wide range of stamps at reasonable prices.
Going from fauna and flora, over buildings, to oddly shaped stamps like circles, diamonds, triangles, trapezoids, pentagonal and even L-shaped stamps were issued.

Catalogue of Malaysia

Starting with the 'creation' of Malaysia on Sept. 16, 1963, all issues baring the name of Malaysia, were valid throughout the country - with one exception for a set issued in 1979, for Kuala Lumpur only (7 values).
But when you make up a chronological collection, before the formation of Malaysia, it becomes a labyrinth.

When the Federation of Malaysia was formed in 1963, it consisted of the Malayan Federation, Sabah (aka North Borneo), Sarawak and Singapore. This last one, left the Federation in 1965, and is independent since.

Map of Malaysia with Singapore

This Malayan Federation was formed in 1948, but only started issuing it's own stamps from 1957 on.
The second World War was mainly the reason for this Federation, as many territories were under occupation for some time in 1942 by Japanese forces, and some by Thai forces. And later in 1945-1948 under British Military Administration (BMA - overprints).

For a short time, (1936-1965), all states used the same Postage Due stamps. This was called the Malayan Postal Union.

Similar to the Federation of Malaysia, some Malayan territories were joined with former British (crown) colonies. All stamps in this era bare the name of (Federation of) MALAYA. Within this federation, Malacca and Penang (British), 4 already federated states and 5, until then unfederated states, were joined.

The 'federated states' were (Perak, Negri Sembilan (+Singei Ujong), Pahang and Selangor), the 'unferderated states'  (Kedah, Kelatan, Johor(e), Perlis and Trengganu).
These federated states issued stamps from 1900 on, under the name of 'Federated Malay States', till 1935, then they issued their own stamps again till the second World War.

The unfederated states, kept issuing stamps under their own name all the time, also till the second World War.

Finally the Malayan federation also had 4 British territories : Malacca, Penang.
These two territories, formed, with Signapore and Labuan (now part of Borneo), the so-called 'Straits Settlements'. They issued stamps under the name 'Straits Settlements' from 1867 till 1941.

Now to make it all even more complicated, each of the states (whether federated or unfederated) and the formerly British territories Malacca and Penang (later called Pulau Pinang) kept issuing their own stamps.
Mostly for lower denomination, to be used within the state itself (local post).

to be continued ...