Burma Military Administration stamps year 1946

Burma Military Administration stamps year 1946 MNH set

The Burma Military Administration (BMA) stamps were issued during and shortly after World War II, when the British military temporarily reoccupied Burma (now Myanmar) after driving out Japanese forces.

Overview of Burma Military Administration Stamps:

Historical Context:

• During WWII, Burma was occupied by the Japanese from 1942 to 1945.
• After the Allies recaptured Burma in 1945, the British Military Administration (BMA) was established temporarily to restore order and civil administration.
• During this period (1945–46), stamps were needed for postal use under British control.

Key Features of BMA Stamps:

1. Overprinted Stamps:
   • The British reused pre-war Burmese stamps by overprinting them with “MILY ADMN” (short for “Military Administration”).
   • These overprints were applied to stamps originally issued under King George VI, including denominations from 3 pies to 10 rupees.
2. Common Overprint Design:
   • Most overprints were straightforward: “MILY ADMN” in black, either horizontally or diagonally placed.
   • Typography and spacing can vary slightly, and these variations are of interest to collectors.
3. Denominations and Colors:
   • A full range of postal denominations was covered.
   • Stamps retained their original colors and designs but with the added overprint.
4. Usage Period:
   • Issued between 1945 and 1946, before the restoration of civilian government and the creation of Burma’s own post-independence postal service.

Collecting and Value:

• Condition matters: Mint (unused), used, and varieties of overprints (position, errors) are collectible.
• Rarity: Some denominations or overprint errors can be scarce and valuable.