Labuan 1879-1894

Initially, Labuan used stamps of Straits Settlements, but in May, 1879, Labuan began issuing its own Postage Stamps. The first stamps of Labuan featured the bust of Queen Victoria with the denomination written in three languages – English, Jawi, and Chinese. For about 15 years, multiple issues were printed with various colors and watermarks.

1879 Original Issues (Sc 1-4 Engraved)

The red diamond cancel is typical of early Labuan stamps

1883-85 Issues (Engraved)

1885 Sc 17

1883 Sc 24

1892 Issues (Sc 33-37 Engraved)

1894 Issues (Sc 42-44 Lithographed)

Engraved VS Lithographed

The differences are quite visible

The lines in the neck and hair are much finer and detailed in the engraved.

Sc 36 vs Sc 45

Forgeries

The forgeries are somewhat difficult to differentiate.
There are 2 main forgers Fournier & Imperato (referred to as the "Italian" source)

As well Kamigata made forgeries.

Imperato Forgeries

Features

Heavy outline around the head

Coarse irregular neck shading

Thick lips with long crease

Short blunt lower corner arrows outside frame

Hair below the ear is one thick line

Fournier Forgeries

Very similar to the Imperato forgeries

Heavy shading in lips and crease less pronounced
Shading in hair clearer

Kamigata Forgeries

A decent forgery

Facial features and shading are the best of the 3

The corner arrows are almost nonexistent

The postmarks are in Japanese characters or will read "IMITATION" in a circular postmark

Others

A rather crude forgery from an unknown source

Corner floral elements are all wrong
Large openings in the corner features

Lacking facial shading

Torres taken from his 1896 catalog