British Commonwealth
Asian Stamps
Find stamps by:
The background to stamps from Asia that fall under the general heading of ‘British Commonwealth’ is, to say the least, complex. Perhaps the most straightforward area, and best known but not for all the right reasons, is Hong Kong.
Hong Kong was ceded to Great Britain on 26 January 1841, with the Hong Kong Post Office established in October that year. The first stamps, with the portrait of Queen Victoria, were issued on 8 December 1862. As with most of the stamps from the island issued during that reign, those that are unused are not easy to find, reflected in the pricing: used are easier to acquire. The 50th anniversary and centenary as a Crown Colony were marked by overprints in 1891 and a set of six designs in 1941. The anniversary marked in 1991 was the 150th anniversary of the Hong Kong Post Office.
Notable during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II has been the definitive series, with the multiple printings and different portraits used, including the ever-popular study by Pietro Annigoni first used in 1982. Also popular have been the various Chinese New Year sets, introduced in 1967 (the Year of the Ram).
On 1 July 1997 Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.
Popular Stamps from Asia:
Postage and Delivery
Due to the current global situation, shipments may experience some delays, but please rest assured that your order will still be delivered to you and we appreciate your patience in these difficult times.
- All UK publication orders over £25 will receive FREE tracked shipping
- All global stamp orders over £25 will receive FREE shipping
- If you have any questions about our shipping rates please contact our customer support team at support@stanleygibbons.com.
Stamps under £25
- UK delivery on orders under £25 are £5
- Worldwide delivery on orders under £25 are between £6 & £9 depending on destination.
- All stamp orders over £50 are sent Signed For.
Publications under £25
- UK publication orders under £25 are £5.00 regardless of weight
- Europe publications orders are priced in bands based on weight and shipping address
- Worldwide publications orders are priced in bands based on weight and shipping address
- All UK Orders over £25 are sent Post Free Tracked
Delivery Costs & Times: We Ship Worldwide
- We aim to process and despatch orders as quickly as possible, standard UK delivery time is 3-5 days.
- We have done all we can to ensure that you pay as little as possible for the delivery of your items. Delivery charges are based on the total weight of your order.
- All of our orders are sent using Royal Mail and well-established courier companies such as Parcelforce.
For your information, here is a basic breakdown of popular products by weight
0 - 750g
- Stamps
- Stamp hinges and mounts
- Smaller accessories such as magnifiers, tweezers etc
- Hagner stocksheets
750g - 1kg
- SG Collect British Stamps catalogue
- Album supplements and leaves
- 8 &16 side stamp stockbooks
- Some larger accessories such as Detectamark
- SG Commonwealth One Country Catalogues
- SG Binders
1.1kg - 2kg
- 32 side stamp stockbooks
- Single stamp albums
- Some larger accessories such as T1 Signoscope
- SG Great Britain Concise catalogue
2kg & over
- Commonwealth & Empire stamp catalogue
- Stamps of the World set of catalogues
- Sets of stamp albums such as Printed Commonwealth or SG Luxury
- Exhibition Binders & Cases
Contact Customer Services
- UK Support: 01425 472 363
- International: +44 1425 472 363
- E-mail: support@stanleygibbons.com
- Customer Service (Mon-Fri): 08:30 - 17:00
Returns and Refunds - Free UK Returns
In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase and wish to return it you can, of course, do so. All items we sell are covered by our 28-day money-back guarantee. Just return them to us suitably packaged, in a saleable condition, along with the receipt and we will refund your original payment.
If there is an issue with your order
Please telephone our customer services team on +44 (0)207 557 4460 (for stamp orders) or +44 (0)1425 472 363 (for catalogue, album and accessories orders) quoting your order number and advising us of the problem. We will then do our best to resolve the issue.
UK Freepost Address for Returns
Freepost RUBL-JUZR-XLRL
Benham (VF) Limited
Benham House
Shorncliffe Industrial Estate
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 3UH
Returns Address for Overseas Orders
Benham (VF) Limited
Benham House
Shorncliffe Industrial Estate
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 3UH
Contact Customer Services
- UK Support: 01425 472 363
- International: +44 1425 472 363
- E-mail: support@stanleygibbons.com
- Customer Service (Mon-Fri): 08:30 - 17:00
100% Secure
Your peace of mind is our priority.
- Our 100% secure website accepts all major credit and debit cards as well as PayPal.
- We use industry-standard secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption technology on our site.
- This encryption process converts your credit card details into code before securely transferring them.
Alternative Payment Options
If you wish to request payment by bank transfer or to discuss paying in installments please contact us at gb@stanleygibbons.com or commonwealth@stanleygibbons.com
Alternatively please call customer services on +44(0)1425 472 363.
My Collection and GSM subscriptions
When does my subscription begin?
Your subscription will begin with the next available issue.
When does my subscription end?
You will receive a notification four weeks prior to the renewal date of your subscription. This subscription will automatically renew every year until it is cancelled. This can be done from the My Orders page within My Account.
My Collection and GSM subscriptions
When does my online subscription begin?
Please be aware that subscriptions can take up to 72 hours to process, but once activated you will receive a welcome email with further direction. The subscription will begin on the day you are granted access.
When does my online subscription end?
You will receive a notification four weeks prior to the renewal date of your subscription. This subscription will automatically renew every year until it is cancelled. This can be done from the My Orders page within My Account.
Postage and Delivery
Due to the current global situation, shipments may experience some delays, but please rest assured that your order will still be delivered to you and we appreciate your patience in these difficult times.
- All UK publication orders over £25 will receive FREE tracked shipping
- All global stamp orders over £25 will receive FREE shipping
- If you have any questions about our shipping rates please contact our customer support team at support@stanleygibbons.com.
Stamps under £25
- UK delivery on orders under £25 are £5
- Worldwide delivery on orders under £25 are between £6 & £9 depending on destination.
- All stamp orders over £50 are sent Signed For.
Publications under £25
- UK publication orders under £25 are £5.00 regardless of weight
- Europe publications orders are priced in bands based on weight and shipping address
- Worldwide publications orders are priced in bands based on weight and shipping address
- All UK Orders over £25 are sent Post Free Tracked
Delivery Costs & Times: We Ship Worldwide
- We aim to process and despatch orders as quickly as possible, standard UK delivery time is 3-5 days.
- We have done all we can to ensure that you pay as little as possible for the delivery of your items. Delivery charges are based on the total weight of your order.
- All of our orders are sent using Royal Mail and well-established courier companies such as Parcelforce.
For your information, here is a basic breakdown of popular products by weight
0 - 750g
- Stamps
- Stamp hinges and mounts
- Smaller accessories such as magnifiers, tweezers etc
- Hagner stocksheets
750g - 1kg
- SG Collect British Stamps catalogue
- Album supplements and leaves
- 8 &16 side stamp stockbooks
- Some larger accessories such as Detectamark
- SG Commonwealth One Country Catalogues
- SG Binders
1.1kg - 2kg
- 32 side stamp stockbooks
- Single stamp albums
- Some larger accessories such as T1 Signoscope
- SG Great Britain Concise catalogue
2kg & over
- Commonwealth & Empire stamp catalogue
- Stamps of the World set of catalogues
- Sets of stamp albums such as Printed Commonwealth or SG Luxury
- Exhibition Binders & Cases
Contact Customer Services
- UK Support: 01425 472 363
- International: +44 1425 472 363
- E-mail: support@stanleygibbons.com
- Customer Service (Mon-Fri): 08:30 - 17:00
Returns and Refunds - Free UK Returns
In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase and wish to return it you can, of course, do so. All items we sell are covered by our 28-day money-back guarantee. Just return them to us suitably packaged, in a saleable condition, along with the receipt and we will refund your original payment.
If there is an issue with your order
Please telephone our customer services team on +44 (0)207 557 4460 (for stamp orders) or +44 (0)1425 472 363 (for catalogue, album and accessories orders) quoting your order number and advising us of the problem. We will then do our best to resolve the issue.
UK Freepost Address for Returns
Freepost RUBL-JUZR-XLRL
Benham (VF) Limited
Benham House
Shorncliffe Industrial Estate
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 3UH
Returns Address for Overseas Orders
Benham (VF) Limited
Benham House
Shorncliffe Industrial Estate
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 3UH
Contact Customer Services
- UK Support: 01425 472 363
- International: +44 1425 472 363
- E-mail: support@stanleygibbons.com
- Customer Service (Mon-Fri): 08:30 - 17:00
100% Secure
Your peace of mind is our priority.
- Our 100% secure website accepts all major credit and debit cards as well as PayPal.
- We use industry-standard secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption technology on our site.
- This encryption process converts your credit card details into code before securely transferring them.
Alternative Payment Options
If you wish to request payment by bank transfer or to discuss paying in installments please contact us at gb@stanleygibbons.com or commonwealth@stanleygibbons.com
Alternatively please call customer services on +44(0)1425 472 363.
My Collection and GSM subscriptions
When does my subscription begin?
Your subscription will begin with the next available issue.
When does my subscription end?
You will receive a notification four weeks prior to the renewal date of your subscription. This subscription will automatically renew every year until it is cancelled. This can be done from the My Orders page within My Account.
My Collection and GSM subscriptions
When does my online subscription begin?
Please be aware that subscriptions can take up to 72 hours to process, but once activated you will receive a welcome email with further direction. The subscription will begin on the day you are granted access.
When does my online subscription end?
You will receive a notification four weeks prior to the renewal date of your subscription. This subscription will automatically renew every year until it is cancelled. This can be done from the My Orders page within My Account.
Postage and Delivery
Due to the current global situation, shipments may experience some delays, but please rest assured that your order will still be delivered to you and we appreciate your patience in these difficult times.
- All UK publication orders over £25 will receive FREE tracked shipping
- All global stamp orders over £25 will receive FREE shipping
- If you have any questions about our shipping rates please contact our customer support team at support@stanleygibbons.com.
Stamps under £25
- UK delivery on orders under £25 are £5
- Worldwide delivery on orders under £25 are between £6 & £9 depending on destination.
- All stamp orders over £50 are sent Signed For.
Publications under £25
- UK publication orders under £25 are £5.00 regardless of weight
- Europe publications orders are priced in bands based on weight and shipping address
- Worldwide publications orders are priced in bands based on weight and shipping address
- All UK Orders over £25 are sent Post Free Tracked
Delivery Costs & Times: We Ship Worldwide
- We aim to process and despatch orders as quickly as possible, standard UK delivery time is 3-5 days.
- We have done all we can to ensure that you pay as little as possible for the delivery of your items. Delivery charges are based on the total weight of your order.
- All of our orders are sent using Royal Mail and well-established courier companies such as Parcelforce.
For your information, here is a basic breakdown of popular products by weight
0 - 750g
- Stamps
- Stamp hinges and mounts
- Smaller accessories such as magnifiers, tweezers etc
- Hagner stocksheets
750g - 1kg
- SG Collect British Stamps catalogue
- Album supplements and leaves
- 8 &16 side stamp stockbooks
- Some larger accessories such as Detectamark
- SG Commonwealth One Country Catalogues
- SG Binders
1.1kg - 2kg
- 32 side stamp stockbooks
- Single stamp albums
- Some larger accessories such as T1 Signoscope
- SG Great Britain Concise catalogue
2kg & over
- Commonwealth & Empire stamp catalogue
- Stamps of the World set of catalogues
- Sets of stamp albums such as Printed Commonwealth or SG Luxury
- Exhibition Binders & Cases
Contact Customer Services
- UK Support: 01425 472 363
- International: +44 1425 472 363
- E-mail: support@stanleygibbons.com
- Customer Service (Mon-Fri): 08:30 - 17:00
Returns and Refunds - Free UK Returns
In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase and wish to return it you can, of course, do so. All items we sell are covered by our 28-day money-back guarantee. Just return them to us suitably packaged, in a saleable condition, along with the receipt and we will refund your original payment.
If there is an issue with your order
Please telephone our customer services team on +44 (0)207 557 4460 (for stamp orders) or +44 (0)1425 472 363 (for catalogue, album and accessories orders) quoting your order number and advising us of the problem. We will then do our best to resolve the issue.
UK Freepost Address for Returns
Freepost RUBL-JUZR-XLRL
Benham (VF) Limited
Benham House
Shorncliffe Industrial Estate
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 3UH
Returns Address for Overseas Orders
Benham (VF) Limited
Benham House
Shorncliffe Industrial Estate
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 3UH
Contact Customer Services
- UK Support: 01425 472 363
- International: +44 1425 472 363
- E-mail: support@stanleygibbons.com
- Customer Service (Mon-Fri): 08:30 - 17:00
100% Secure
Your peace of mind is our priority.
- Our 100% secure website accepts all major credit and debit cards as well as PayPal.
- We use industry-standard secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption technology on our site.
- This encryption process converts your credit card details into code before securely transferring them.
Alternative Payment Options
If you wish to request payment by bank transfer or to discuss paying in installments please contact us at gb@stanleygibbons.com or commonwealth@stanleygibbons.com
Alternatively please call customer services on +44(0)1425 472 363.
My Collection and GSM subscriptions
When does my subscription begin?
Your subscription will begin with the next available issue.
When does my subscription end?
You will receive a notification four weeks prior to the renewal date of your subscription. This subscription will automatically renew every year until it is cancelled. This can be done from the My Orders page within My Account.
My Collection and GSM subscriptions
When does my online subscription begin?
Please be aware that subscriptions can take up to 72 hours to process, but once activated you will receive a welcome email with further direction. The subscription will begin on the day you are granted access.
When does my online subscription end?
You will receive a notification four weeks prior to the renewal date of your subscription. This subscription will automatically renew every year until it is cancelled. This can be done from the My Orders page within My Account.
Postage and Delivery
Due to the current global situation, shipments may experience some delays, but please rest assured that your order will still be delivered to you and we appreciate your patience in these difficult times.
- All UK publication orders over £25 will receive FREE tracked shipping
- All global stamp orders over £25 will receive FREE shipping
- If you have any questions about our shipping rates please contact our customer support team at support@stanleygibbons.com.
Stamps under £25
- UK delivery on orders under £25 are £5
- Worldwide delivery on orders under £25 are between £6 & £9 depending on destination.
- All stamp orders over £50 are sent Signed For.
Publications under £25
- UK publication orders under £25 are £5.00 regardless of weight
- Europe publications orders are priced in bands based on weight and shipping address
- Worldwide publications orders are priced in bands based on weight and shipping address
- All UK Orders over £25 are sent Post Free Tracked
Delivery Costs & Times: We Ship Worldwide
- We aim to process and despatch orders as quickly as possible, standard UK delivery time is 3-5 days.
- We have done all we can to ensure that you pay as little as possible for the delivery of your items. Delivery charges are based on the total weight of your order.
- All of our orders are sent using Royal Mail and well-established courier companies such as Parcelforce.
For your information, here is a basic breakdown of popular products by weight
0 - 750g
- Stamps
- Stamp hinges and mounts
- Smaller accessories such as magnifiers, tweezers etc
- Hagner stocksheets
750g - 1kg
- SG Collect British Stamps catalogue
- Album supplements and leaves
- 8 &16 side stamp stockbooks
- Some larger accessories such as Detectamark
- SG Commonwealth One Country Catalogues
- SG Binders
1.1kg - 2kg
- 32 side stamp stockbooks
- Single stamp albums
- Some larger accessories such as T1 Signoscope
- SG Great Britain Concise catalogue
2kg & over
- Commonwealth & Empire stamp catalogue
- Stamps of the World set of catalogues
- Sets of stamp albums such as Printed Commonwealth or SG Luxury
- Exhibition Binders & Cases
Contact Customer Services
- UK Support: 01425 472 363
- International: +44 1425 472 363
- E-mail: support@stanleygibbons.com
- Customer Service (Mon-Fri): 08:30 - 17:00
Returns and Refunds - Free UK Returns
In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase and wish to return it you can, of course, do so. All items we sell are covered by our 28-day money-back guarantee. Just return them to us suitably packaged, in a saleable condition, along with the receipt and we will refund your original payment.
If there is an issue with your order
Please telephone our customer services team on +44 (0)207 557 4460 (for stamp orders) or +44 (0)1425 472 363 (for catalogue, album and accessories orders) quoting your order number and advising us of the problem. We will then do our best to resolve the issue.
UK Freepost Address for Returns
Freepost RUBL-JUZR-XLRL
Benham (VF) Limited
Benham House
Shorncliffe Industrial Estate
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 3UH
Returns Address for Overseas Orders
Benham (VF) Limited
Benham House
Shorncliffe Industrial Estate
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 3UH
Contact Customer Services
- UK Support: 01425 472 363
- International: +44 1425 472 363
- E-mail: support@stanleygibbons.com
- Customer Service (Mon-Fri): 08:30 - 17:00
100% Secure
Your peace of mind is our priority.
- Our 100% secure website accepts all major credit and debit cards as well as PayPal.
- We use industry-standard secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption technology on our site.
- This encryption process converts your credit card details into code before securely transferring them.
Alternative Payment Options
If you wish to request payment by bank transfer or to discuss paying in installments please contact us at gb@stanleygibbons.com or commonwealth@stanleygibbons.com
Alternatively please call customer services on +44(0)1425 472 363.
My Collection and GSM subscriptions
When does my subscription begin?
Your subscription will begin with the next available issue.
When does my subscription end?
You will receive a notification four weeks prior to the renewal date of your subscription. This subscription will automatically renew every year until it is cancelled. This can be done from the My Orders page within My Account.
My Collection and GSM subscriptions
When does my online subscription begin?
Please be aware that subscriptions can take up to 72 hours to process, but once activated you will receive a welcome email with further direction. The subscription will begin on the day you are granted access.
When does my online subscription end?
You will receive a notification four weeks prior to the renewal date of your subscription. This subscription will automatically renew every year until it is cancelled. This can be done from the My Orders page within My Account.
Postage and Delivery
Due to the current global situation, shipments may experience some delays, but please rest assured that your order will still be delivered to you and we appreciate your patience in these difficult times.
- All UK publication orders over £25 will receive FREE tracked shipping
- All global stamp orders over £25 will receive FREE shipping
- If you have any questions about our shipping rates please contact our customer support team at support@stanleygibbons.com.
Stamps under £25
- UK delivery on orders under £25 are £5
- Worldwide delivery on orders under £25 are between £6 & £9 depending on destination.
- All stamp orders over £50 are sent Signed For.
Publications under £25
- UK publication orders under £25 are £5.00 regardless of weight
- Europe publications orders are priced in bands based on weight and shipping address
- Worldwide publications orders are priced in bands based on weight and shipping address
- All UK Orders over £25 are sent Post Free Tracked
Delivery Costs & Times: We Ship Worldwide
- We aim to process and despatch orders as quickly as possible, standard UK delivery time is 3-5 days.
- We have done all we can to ensure that you pay as little as possible for the delivery of your items. Delivery charges are based on the total weight of your order.
- All of our orders are sent using Royal Mail and well-established courier companies such as Parcelforce.
For your information, here is a basic breakdown of popular products by weight
0 - 750g
- Stamps
- Stamp hinges and mounts
- Smaller accessories such as magnifiers, tweezers etc
- Hagner stocksheets
750g - 1kg
- SG Collect British Stamps catalogue
- Album supplements and leaves
- 8 &16 side stamp stockbooks
- Some larger accessories such as Detectamark
- SG Commonwealth One Country Catalogues
- SG Binders
1.1kg - 2kg
- 32 side stamp stockbooks
- Single stamp albums
- Some larger accessories such as T1 Signoscope
- SG Great Britain Concise catalogue
2kg & over
- Commonwealth & Empire stamp catalogue
- Stamps of the World set of catalogues
- Sets of stamp albums such as Printed Commonwealth or SG Luxury
- Exhibition Binders & Cases
Contact Customer Services
- UK Support: 01425 472 363
- International: +44 1425 472 363
- E-mail: support@stanleygibbons.com
- Customer Service (Mon-Fri): 08:30 - 17:00
Returns and Refunds - Free UK Returns
In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase and wish to return it you can, of course, do so. All items we sell are covered by our 28-day money-back guarantee. Just return them to us suitably packaged, in a saleable condition, along with the receipt and we will refund your original payment.
If there is an issue with your order
Please telephone our customer services team on +44 (0)207 557 4460 (for stamp orders) or +44 (0)1425 472 363 (for catalogue, album and accessories orders) quoting your order number and advising us of the problem. We will then do our best to resolve the issue.
UK Freepost Address for Returns
Freepost RUBL-JUZR-XLRL
Benham (VF) Limited
Benham House
Shorncliffe Industrial Estate
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 3UH
Returns Address for Overseas Orders
Benham (VF) Limited
Benham House
Shorncliffe Industrial Estate
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 3UH
Contact Customer Services
- UK Support: 01425 472 363
- International: +44 1425 472 363
- E-mail: support@stanleygibbons.com
- Customer Service (Mon-Fri): 08:30 - 17:00
100% Secure
Your peace of mind is our priority.
- Our 100% secure website accepts all major credit and debit cards as well as PayPal.
- We use industry-standard secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption technology on our site.
- This encryption process converts your credit card details into code before securely transferring them.
Alternative Payment Options
If you wish to request payment by bank transfer or to discuss paying in installments please contact us at gb@stanleygibbons.com or commonwealth@stanleygibbons.com
Alternatively please call customer services on +44(0)1425 472 363.
My Collection and GSM subscriptions
When does my subscription begin?
Your subscription will begin with the next available issue.
When does my subscription end?
You will receive a notification four weeks prior to the renewal date of your subscription. This subscription will automatically renew every year until it is cancelled. This can be done from the My Orders page within My Account.
My Collection and GSM subscriptions
When does my online subscription begin?
Please be aware that subscriptions can take up to 72 hours to process, but once activated you will receive a welcome email with further direction. The subscription will begin on the day you are granted access.
When does my online subscription end?
You will receive a notification four weeks prior to the renewal date of your subscription. This subscription will automatically renew every year until it is cancelled. This can be done from the My Orders page within My Account.
A Brief History of the Featured Stamps
Labuan 1891:
Brunei, a tiny nation on the island of Borneo and surrounded by Malaysia, issued its first stamps, in a Star and Crescent design, on 22 July 1895, a set whose status was for some years in doubt. It transpired they could be used within Brunei, or on mail to Labuan and Sarawak. A set in 1906 comprised overprints on the stamps of Labuan, until the following year when stamps inscribed Brunei and showing Brunei River were released. Since 1952 the stamps have featured the portrait of the current Sultan, have been modest in number and totally relevant to Brunei, shunning the more popular themes since 1981.
North Borneo 1922:
In separate categories come the stamps of North Borneo (first issued in 1883), to become Sabah from 1 July 1964, and Sarawak with stamps so inscribed being issued from 1869.
British Hong Kong 1917:
Hong Kong was ceded to Great Britain on 26 January 1841, with the Hong Kong Post Office established in October that year. The first stamps, with the portrait of Queen Victoria, were issued on 8 December 1862. As with most of the stamps from the island issued during that reign, those that are unused are not easy to find, reflected in the pricing: used are easier to acquire. The 50th anniversary and centenary as a Crown Colony were marked by overprints in 1891 and a set of six designs in 1941. The anniversary marked in 1991 was the 150th anniversary of the Hong Kong Post Office. On 1 July 1997 Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.
Malaysia 1942:
Far more complex is the matter of the stamps of Malaysia. Indeed the best way to unravel the puzzle is to consult the Stanley Gibbons catalogue. Essentially one is looking at stamps inscribed Straits Settlements, Federated Malay States, Malaya or Malaysia, or with the name of one of the States (Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Selangor and Tregganu – either with the name inscribed, or overprinted on stamps of the Straits Settlements). However, the first stamps, issued on 1 September 1867, were overprints on the stamps of India. Stamps inscribed Straits Settlements, with the portrait of Queen Victoria, appeared in December that year. Stamps for the Malayan Federation, inscribed Malaya, appeared in 1957, changed to Malaysia in 1963.
