Brunei

"Scene on Brunei River"

Quick History
Brunei is located on the north-west coast of Borneo. The population was 30,000 in 1931, and the Capital was Brunei.  Brunei became a British protectorate in 1888, but postage stamps were not issued until 1906 when administration was transferred from the Sultan. Brunei became independent in 1984.

Big Blue Picture
Big Blue '97 has one page with 24 stamp spaces from 1908-1937. The 2011 Scott Classic Specialized catalog has 57 major stamp descriptions beginning in 1906. Coverage by Big Blue is 42%. The Scott also lists 10 additional  1895 "local" issue stamps.

Fairly good coverage by Big Blue of these attractive stamps. But a local issue series in 1895, and an overprinted Labuan 1906  stamp series were not included. In addition, there are more "Scene on Brunei River" stamps that could be added. All told, there are 17 stamps ($1+-$5+) that might interest the Big Blue collector.

Additionals....
1895 "star and local scene" Issue not in Big Blue
These 10 stamps (A1-A10) were only valid within Brunei, and to Labuan.
A1,A2,A3,A4, ($2+)

1906 (Labuan 1902-03 stamps overprinted/surcharged) Issue not in Big Blue
2,5,8,($2+-$5+)

1907-21 "Scene on Brunei River"
13,15,19,24,26,28,30,($2+-$5+)

Big Blue Checklist
1908-21 "Scene on Brunei River"
14,16,(<$1-$1+)
18,20,($1+-<$1)
22($5+)
Blank space: suggest 25($5+)

1924-27 "Scene on Brunei River"
43,44,46,47,49,(<$1-$2)
52($5+)

(1924-31) "Dwellings in the Town of Brunei"
59($10+),60($5+),61($5+)

1931-37 "Scene on Brunei River"
45,48,50($10+),51,53,($1+ except noted)
54($20+),55($10+),56($10+),57($10+)

Kinds of Blue
The 1997,1969,1947 and 1941 editions are identical for content.

"Dwellings in Town of Brunei"

Big Blue Bottom Line
Nice issues- hard to tell they are "British", as no typical queen-king clues on the stamps. The fact that Brunei was a British protectorate, rather than a crown colony, probably explains this.

Links
Brunei - Bud's Big Blue

Comments appreciated!