The Messrs. Maclure, Macdonald & Macgregor Issue of 1875

The postal rates that had been the subject of the 1874 agreement between the Governments of Sarawak and the Straits Settlements were to take effect from January 1st, 1875. Since a single denomination stamp was considered inadequate, an order was placed for a series of five values - 2 cents, 4 cents, 6 cents, 8 cents and 12 cents, to augment the existing 3 cents stamp.

The order was placed with the same printers who had been responsible for the two previous stamps, Messrs. Maclure, McDonald & McGregor of 37, Walbrook, E.C. & Glasgow and the design remained virtually the same as the 3 cent stamp of 1871, only the value being altered. Although the actual date of issue is not known for certain it is reasonable to assume that the five stamps became available to the public on January 1st, 1875 as planned.