The Malaya Study Group

Richard Hale "Kelantan & Trengganu" Meeting Report

May 15th 2010

by Nick Hackney, pictures by Nick Hackney & Susan McEwen

States of Malaysia

Map, Arms & Flag of Kelantan

Over 40 members & guests attended this exceptional and fascinating display by Richard Hale. Some photographs of the audience including distinguished visitors from Malaysia, Singapore & Australia are included below. Apologies or congratulations to the many members and guests who escaped the Nick Hackney camera!

Richard's first page was a map of Kelantan in 1907, showing the massive Duff concessions of 3,300 square miles. He recounted the history of the problems and issues faced by the Raja and his family, not unlike today's situation.

The transition from Siamese to British sovereignty in 1909 was described so very well. The Raja was furious that the new stamps did not have his portrait, unlike those for the ruler of Trengganu. As the postcards arrived first we saw the appearance of the celebrated Dr.Gimlette whose correspondence to his sister is so well known. Richard gave us a brief and enthralling picture of Dr.Gimlette's life.

The covers and stamps shown were of course superb. Highlights includes a Barker bisect cover, a card with the only known Plekbang cancel, Straits used in Kelantan in 1915, two very rare postal stationery cards, the 2c brown and 4c orange.

We saw the MBE stamps, Japanese occupation, and through to BMA.

Map, Arms & Flag of Terengganu [Trengganu]

The second round was Richard's Trengganu. The early philatelic history from 1909 onwards was covered, followed by the Trengganu new definitive issue.

Richard went on to Trengganu's 'funny period' 1917-1922. This included the Red Cross issue, use of Straits stamps to cover a shortage of 2c, 4c, and 6c which was odd as there was no Trengganu 6c stamp nor a postal route for it.

Richard showed an amazing page of Trengganu Postage Dues on piece, which few had ever seen before.

There were so many further splendid pages, that you had to be there to see!

The Newsletter will carry a much fuller account of this display.

Gordon Peters proposed the vote of thanks to Richard for this most fascinating and informative afternoon, emphasising the material, the resentation and the excellent write up style of the pages.

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Richard Hale & Mac MCClaren

Nick Hackney & the Ludlows

Len Stanway & the Ludlows

Len Stanway & Joe Robertson

Mr.& Mrs, Goh Kien Boon

Prof. Cheah Jin Seng

Time Kestin & Dr.Wells from Australia

Malcolm Wade, Prof. Cheah Jin Seng, and Dominic Morris [picture by Susan McEwen]

Bernard Cheung, Prof. Cheah Jin Seng, Goh Kien Boon & Jane Ludlow [picture by Susan McEwen]

Goh Kien Boon, Bernard Cheung & Prof. Cheah Jin Seng

Henry Ong, Bernard Cheung & James Song

Ong Kuee Hong & James Song

Susan McEwen opening the meeting

Part of the 40+ strong audience

Part of the audience [picture by Susan McEwen]

Richard Hale introduces his Kelantan display

Richard Hale

Richard Hale

Richard Hale & Trengganu [picture by Susan McEwen]

Richard Hale describing a Trengganu item

Gordon Peters giving the vote of thanks