MEMORY OF THE WORLD REGISTER
Straits Settlements Postcards (1890 - 1946 )
(Malaysia)
Ref N° 2008-36
PART A – ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
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SUMMARY
The records are unique. They constitute a pictorial evidence of Malaysia’s early history of
British colonialism which brought together Penang, Malacca and Singapore collectively as the
Straits Settlements. The photographs relate to the period following the transfer of the
Settlements from the East India Company to the Colonial Office in London in 1867. The
administration of the Straits Settlements came to an end with the advent of the Japanese
invaders, never to be revived again, despite the subsequent re-occupation of the country by the
British victors.
The records have a universal appeal in that they have been used as a means of fast and cheap
conveyance of both news and images from Malaya to other parts of the world. The postcards
were treasured by the recipients who included family members, friends and business clients
from different parts of the world, especially Britain. The postcards were the chief means of
disseminating contemporary images of the three settlements from the late 1890s into the first
few decades of the 20th century. During the period, photography was still an expensive novelty
and visual documentation of any kind was rare. The postcards therefore, were treasured not only
as a form of remembrance but also as a collector’s item.
The contemporary images of the past have today become important as sources of history. They
highlight landscapes, street scenes, peoples, buildings, landmarks, modes of transportation, as
well as economic and cultural activities of a bygone era. Needless to say, the records are
invaluable as a source for research about society from the perspectives of social change, as well
as economics, politics, education, religion and customs.
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DETAILS OF THE NOMINATOR
Name ( person or organization ) : National Archives of Malaysia
Relationship to the documentary heritage nominated : Custodian and preserver of nation’s heritage
Contact person ( s ) : Dr. Samsiah Muhamad
Contact details ( include address, phone, fax, e-mail ) :
National Archives of Malaysia
Jalan Duta
50568 Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA
Tel : 603-62010688
Fax : 603-62015679
e-mail : samsiah@arkib.gov.my
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IDENTITY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE DOCUMENTARY HERITAGE
Name and identification details of the items being nominated
Straits Settlements Postcards (1890 – 1946 )
Description
The postcards are dated 1890s to 1940s. Their total number amounts to 1,904 cards. The images
may be categorized as follows :
1. Reproduction from original photographs
2. Reproduction of printed photographs
3. Reproduction of art work.
The collection covers a broad range of subjects inter alia, historical buildings, landmarks,
country life, streets and towns, modes of transportation, economic and cultural activities, and
sceneries in general. The images relate to scenes and ways of life that have undergone
significant changes over time, and are far removed from modern life.
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JUSTIFICATION FOR INCLUSION / ASSESMENT AGAINST CRITERIA
Is authenticity established ?
The postcards are originals as evidenced by the post marks. They are not reproductions or
copies. They provide genuine glimpses into contemporary life and times of society at a
particular period of its evolution.
4.2 Is world significance, uniqueness and irreplaceability established?
1. The postcards had been a means of communication between family, friends and business
clients throughout the world. The images of the archives captured the minds and heart of the
people worldwide especially when Penang and Singapore enjoyed the status of an entre port.
2. The archives are unique in the sense that the images had been captured at a time when
photography was still in its infancy. It was an expensive novelty, and visual documentation of
any kind was rare.
3. The postcards depict events covering all aspect of economic, political and social life and
became significant source of reference for research into the pre-war era and form an excellent
source of information on British, Malaya and Singapore before Japanese occupation.
4.3 Is one or more of the criteria of (a) time (b) place (c) people (d) subject and
theme (e) form and style satisfied?.
(a) Time : The postcards reflect the early era of British rule in Malaya and Singapore from
1780’s to 1950’s. Hence the postcards represent a vital source of pictorial evidence relating
to that period.
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(b) Place : The postcards relate to the three settlements of Malacca, Penang and Singapore
which were once jointly administered as the Straits Settlements (1826 – 1946). The
postcards therefore represent a window to a glorious past.
(c) People : The postcards portray the lives of the native Malays as well as migrants from
China and India who were brought in by the British to work in Malaya in the tin mines and
the rubber plantations. The migrants also provided the workforce especially for the Straits
Settlements in the harbours and factories.
(d) Subject / Theme : The postcards yield historical evidence bearing on a number of subjects
and themes including the life of natives and migrant workers, economic activities, modes of
communication, buildings, landmarks, country life, street scenes, landscapes and cultural
activities.
(e) Form and style :

The postcards differ in form and style according to the period produced.

They are in loose form and may be categorized as follows:
1. Real-photographic images (glossy )
2. Printed-photographic images (matt finish)
3. Artist-drawn.( full coloured )

4.4
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They bespeak a variety of themes through illustrations, some with decorative
borders.
Are there issues of rarity, integrity, threat and management that relate to this
nomination?

Rarity : The collection represents the only surviving pictorial memory of the
Straits Settlement’s history that have been found, recovered and preserved for
posterity.

Integrity : The postcard collection represents an integral whole in terms of
series, and has unity of both time and place.

Threat : Due to the heat and humidity of the tropical climate the collection is
kept in an environmentally-controlled repository. Preventive measures against
fire, rain and vermin are also taken to ensure the safety of the collection.

Management : Each postcard is given a serial number according to the order or
sequence in which it has been processed. They are each kept in an acid free
envelope and arranged according to the number given.
LEGAL INFORMATION
Owner of the documentary heritage (name and contact details)
Government of Malaysia
c/o National Archives of Malaysia
Jalan Duta
3
50568 Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA
Tel : 603-62010688
Fax : 603-62015679
e-mail : sidek@arkib.gov.my
Custodian of the documentary heritage (name and contact details, if different to owner)
Mr. Sidek Jamil
Director General
National Archives of Malaysia
Jalan Duta
50568 Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA
Tel : 603-62005700
Fax : 603-62013100
Email : sidek@arkib.gov.my
Legal status
(a) Category of ownership : Public
(b) Accessibility : Open to public
(c) Copyright status : No copyright limit. Reproduction rights subject to clearance by the
National Archives of Malaysia.
(d) Responsible administration : The collection is managed by the Archivist and is
housed under best preservation standards.
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MANAGEMENT PLAN
Is there a management plan in existence for this documentary heritage YES / NO
No
Statement of the significance of the documentary heritage:
Photography is an artistic heritage, and is recognized universally for its prizeless aesthetic value.
The holdings are of great historical significance and are an abiding source of wonder and
inspiration.
The images, though of a particular geographical setting, have importance and timeless value for
collectors in all parts of the world. The postcards were sent to people within and outside the
country. They were sent to friends, family members, government officials and business circles
to Europe (especially England), Africa and the United States. Therefore, the images had been
specially chosen for their impact on foreign minds.
Recognising its rich historical significance for an appreciation of the early history of the country,
the National Archives of Malaysia lost no time in seeking out and purchasing the collection
from private hands.
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It has to be mentioned that the collection has brought together two countries (namely Malaysia
and Singapore) in a spirit of good neighbourliness, driven by a common history and a shared
past as depicted in the postcard collection.
This togetherness was reflected in their joint attempt at popularizing the postcard collection. In
2004 and 2005, the National Archives of Malaysia collaborated with the National Archives of
Singapore in promoting awareness of the common heritage through a joint exhibition entitled
“Reminiscences of The Straits Settlements through Postcards”.
The exhibitions were held at:
1.
2.
3.
Melaka (Malacca)
Singapore
Pulau Pinang (Penang) -
September 2004
December 2004
April 2005
The exhibitions were highly successful in presenting the pictorial history of the former Straits
Settlements. The exhibition managed to attract more than 100,000 visitors.
A follow up of the exhibitions, a book by the same title was jointly published by the National
Archives of Malaysia and the National Archives of Singapore in 2005.
Access policy and procedures:
Request for access to these postcards is in accordance to the National Archives Act 2003 ( Act
629 ). However, original materials have been digitised to enable online access and also to
presence them. The postcards may be viewed through the National Archives website at
www.arkib.gov.my.
Preservation and management policies to control the physical environment of the
collection:
The collection is kept in the repository under the best possible preservation standards as follow:
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
Temperature
:
18 – 22ºC

Relative Humidity
:
50 -55%

Sunlight
:

Equipment :
Stored in mobile shelves

Security
:
Exposure to sunlight is not allowed
The doors to the repository are fire resistant, and are
equipped with secure locking devices.
CONSULTATION
Provide details of consultation about this nomination (a) the owner of the heritage (b) the custodian
(c) your national or regional Memory of the World committee
(a)
The owner of the heritage
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National Archives of Malaysia
(b)
The custodian
National Archives of Malaysia
(c)
Your national or regional Memory of the World committee
Memory of the World National Committee
PART B – SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
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ASSESSMENT OF RISK
Detail the nature and scope of threat to this documentary heritage (see 5.5)
There is always a threat posed by heat and humidity of the tropical climate. However,
preventive measures indicated in (6) will ensure that the collection is in a safe condition.
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ASSESSMENT OF PRESERVATION
Detail the nature and scope of threats to this documentary heritage
(see 3.3)

Present physical state: Well preserved and in good condition

Current preservation policy in relation to proposed nominated documentary heritage:
Well preserved in accordance to international standard.

Person or organization responsible for preservation: National Archives of Malaysia
PART C – LODGEMENT
This nomination is lodged by :
( Please print name ) : Sidek Jamil
( Signature ):…………………………….
( Date ):………………………………
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