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Auction: 15041 - The "Sentosa" Collection of Straits Settlements, Malayan States, Labuan, North Borneo and Sarawak sale during the International Exhibition
Lot: 513

Federated Malay States
1918 Prepared for use but not issued
"4/cents" on 3c. scarlet with margin at right, fine with trace of gum at top. Extremely rare. Photo

Note: This surcharge was produced to remedy a shortage when the inland letter rate was raised to 4c. on 1st January 1918. Five million stamps were surcharged. The 3c. was used as there were insufficient quantities of the higher value stamp. In April 1918 nine million 4c. stamps were printed and the receipt of these in Malaya in May or June obviated the need for the surcharged stamps. The five million unwanted surcharged stamps were packed in weighted boxes and sunk at sea. Somehow, a few survived

Sold for
SG$4,800