British involvement began with the granting of a charter to the British North Borneo Company in August 1881. The settlements were made a protectorate on 12 May1888, and the island of Labuan attached from 1890 to 1906.
The area was occupied by Japan from January 1942 to 10 June1945, after which a British military administration was in charge, until 15 July1946. The colony joined Malaysia on 16 September1963.
Initially, mail from North Borneo was sent via Labuan or Singapore, using postage stamps of the Straits Settlements. The company issued its own stamps in March 1883, using a design incorporating the coat of arms (a dhow and a lion), inscribed "NORTH BORNEO", and with the value written in English, Arabic, and Chinese. Initial values included 2c, 4c, and 8c, followed by large 50c and 1$ stamps of an more elaborate design with the arms flanked by two natives.
In 1886 1/2c, 1c, and 10c values were added, and there was a demand for 3c and 5c stamps, resolved by overprinting existing types. At the same time, the printers (Blades, East, and Blades of London) produced a new design, largely the same but inscribed "BRITISH NORTH BORNEO", and joined by 25c and 2$ values, also with elaborate frames. The stamps were redesigned again in 1888, to say "POSTAGE & REVENUE" instead of just "POSTAGE", at which time the 25c to 2$ values also received minor changes. These were followed up in 1889 by even larger and more elaborate 5$ and 10$ stamps.
Shortages in 1890, 1891, and 1892 necessitated more surcharges.
In 1894, the protectorate issued a new definitive series engraved by Waterlow & Sons, comprising nine pictorials featuring natives plants, animals, and scenes, and inscribed "STATE OF NORTH BORNEO".
