Photographic and postcard collection of the Borneo Mission Association

This material is held atBodleian Library, University of Oxford

  • Reference
    • GB 161 MSS. Ind. Ocn. r. 23
  • Dates of Creation
    • [?1906-1909]
  • Language of Material
    • English.
  • Physical Description
    • 110 items  The photographs were originally stuck into albums and have since been torn out, causing damage to some of the prints. Others are still stuck back to back. The photographs are uncaptioned but from the styles of European dress would seem to be of approximately the same date as the postcards.

Scope and Content

Postcards of British North Borneo including views of Jesselton and railway scenes, also uncaptioned snapshots, [?1906-1909].

Administrative / Biographical History

The Borneo Mission Association was formed in 1909 to assist the work of the Anglican Church in Labuan, Sarawak and British North Borneo. Although it never sent out missionaries itself, Anglican missionaries had first visited Sarawak in 1848 at the invitation of James Brooke, its Rajah. From 1869 to 1909 Malaya, Singapore and Borneo had operated as a single diocese. However, a separate diocese was created for Sabah in 1962.

Arrangement

The postcards are arranged in three distinct groups. The first is captioned in Arthur Walker's handwriting, the second is initialled 'GHH', and the third is a series of views of British North Borneo captioned in pencil.

Access Information

Bodleian reader's ticket required.

Note

Collection level description created by Paul Davidson, Bodleian Library of Commonwealth and African Studies at Rhodes House.

Other Finding Aids

Listed as no. 669 in Manuscript Collections in Rhodes House Library Oxford, Accessions 1978-1994 (Oxford, Bodleian Library, 1996). A handlist is available for consultation in the library reading room.

Conditions Governing Use

No reproduction or publication of personal papers without permission. Contact the library in the first instance.

Custodial History

The material was originally received by the Borneo Mission Association from Mrs. Doris Langlands, whose stepfather Arthur Walker was Staff Superintendent of Borneo State Railways in the early years of the 20th century.

Related Material

Photographs of British North Borneo and Sarawak, including mission schools and churches, principal buildings in towns and major settlements, diocesan events, and portraits of mission staff and native clergy, 1914-1983 (ref. MSS. Ind. Ocn. r. 20); Historical Notes on the island of Borneo and early mission work, typescript compiled by the Rev'd. William Howell, c1928 (ref. MSS. Ind. Ocn. s. 346.