Sarawak Centenary (1841-1941) of the Brooke Dynasty

SARAWAK on 18 May 1946 issued a First Day Cover marking the Centenary (1841-1941) of the Brooke Dynasty, depicting the three White Rajahs of Sarawak. Four different stamps in denominations of 8 cents, 15 cents, 50 cents, and $1 showed portraits of the three White Rajahs: Sir James Brooke (left), Sir Charles Brooke (right), and the last Rajah, Sir Charles Vyner Brooke (center). The postmark cancellation originated from Kuching, Sarawak.

This four-stamp set celebrating 100 years of "White Rajah" rule proved to be the last stamps issued before the Kingdom of Sarawak became a Crown Colony of Britain on 1 July 1946.

Sarawak is on the Island of Borneo. In 1841 Sarawak was proving troublesome and the British adventurer James Brooke helped to subdue the rebellion for the Sultan of Brunei, for which he was given Sarawak to govern. The Brooke dynasty lasted until Sarawak became a British colony in 1946, gained independence in July 1963 and joined the Federation of Malaysia in that September.