Monday, July 16, 2007

First Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's Public Birthday

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah celebrated his 61st Birthday yesterday. His Majesty ascended the throne when his father His Majesty Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saiffuddien Saadul Khairi Waddien abdicated on 5th October 1967 but his coronation was not until 1st August 1968.

So on the 15th July 1968, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah had been the Ruler of Brunei for about 9 months. On that day, the first stamps to celebrate the birthday of any ruler of Brunei ever were released. These stamps came from the first day cover and unfortunately the stamps are not in that good condition.


Interestingly enough in the space of about 3 weeks, three diferent sets of stamps were released. The first was a delayed release to commermorate of His Majesty being annointed as Duli Pengiran Temenggong on 9th July 1968. On the 15th was the release up there and on 1st August 1968, the release of the postage stamps to celebrae His Majesty's Coronation.

Technical Notes: Stamps Watermark Block CA Sideways, P.12. Designer - V Whiteley and Lithography by De La Rue & Co.

2 comments:

FDC68 said...

Hey I have that same first day cover stamps. It'll be 40 years old next year. Any idea how much it is worth now?

Rozan Yunos said...

Based on the catalogue price, about $10. But based on scarcity, supply and demand, a lot more than that.