There are six sculptures inside this special dark collection space, you can touch, you can feel, this experiential learning and visit into The Little Prince In The Dark Collection brings your visit to the Singapore Philatelic Museum to an all new level and dimension (for everybody including the blind who can now also “see”, touch and enjoy their museum experience). The six sculptures depict the iconic characters and scenes inside French author Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s Le Petit Prince, a classic book that was first published in 1943.

All the hand made and hand painted sculptures were made from fibreglass and resin, coated with marine lacquer and they were created by French artist Arnaud Nazare-Aga. Using UV LED lights shining on the painted sculptures inside this customised dark room, welcome into The Little Prince In The Dark Collection!

“One sees clearly only with the heart. The essential is invisible to the eye.”

This is a world famous quote, written by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Upon entering into The Little Prince In The Dark Collection, the feel and connection was beyond my eyes looking into the world of The Little Prince when I touched and felt the sculptures, with my heart and soul. It seems like I was flying away into many different worlds and exploring them, just like The Little Prince.

I invite you to visit and enter into The Little Price In The Dark Collection at Singapore Philatelic Museum, touch, feel and immerse yourself with your heart, not with your eyes.

Welcome to the world of The Little Prince!

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Upon entering into The Little Prince: Behind the Story exhibition, I was brought into another world (of fantasy, travel, adventure and writing), just as what the author, French aviator Antoine de Saint Exupery would want to open it to and share with his readers, whether you are a young child or an adult.

“One sees clearly only with the heart. The essential is invisible to the eye.”

I read this quote before, it’s famous and well-quoted. Now, I know where this quote comes from, it’s taken from one of the world’s most widely read books – “The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince)”, written by French aristocrat, writer, poet and pioneering aviator, Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900 – 1944). As I entered into The Little Prince world at the Singapore Philatelic Museum, I became curious and wanted to know more about Antoine de Saint Exupery and his book “The Little Prince”. When I was a young kid, I love to read, I began to ask myself, where was this book when I was young? Would this book make an even greater impact on me as a traveler, photographer and writer?

During my research on Antoine de Saint-Exupery and on his book The Little Prince, I discovered that this book is the world’s most translated book (300 languages) and sold almost 200million copies worldwide since it was first published in 1943. This year 2018, marks the 75^thanniversary of this world famous French classic book and Singapore Philatelic Museum has a new exhibition dedicated to Antoine de Saint Exupery and his book The Little Prince in this exhibition titled “The Little Prince: Behind the Story”.

A really amazing exhibition presented by the Singapore Philatelic Museum that goes beyond stamps, philatelic materials and artefacts, the stories behind The Little Prince story are the ones that are invisible to the eye, yet can be felt when you visit, feel and connect with his works, travel and adventures, perfectly in tune with Antoine de Saint Exupery writings.

When I was chatting with Ms Tresnawati Prihadi, General Manager, Singapore Philatelic Museum, she highlighted to me on the number of institutions and organisations that were involved in making this exhibition so enriching and amazing, through the precious loan of items from their collection.

The Little Prince: Behind the Story exhibition highlights are from:

– Singapore Philatelic Museum Collection

– Foundation Latecoere

– Charles VII Museum

– Air France Musee

– D’Agay – Saint Exupery Estate

– Facsmiles from Archives Nationales

– The Morgan Library & Museum (New York)

– Arnaud Nazare-Aga

Well … It’s time for me to enter into the world of The Little Prince. He hails from Asteroid B-612, one day he leaves home and visit different planets, meeting different grown-ups who are very odd, before landing on planet Earth, The Little Prince is searching and seeking, what is he looking for all this while?

On planet Earth, The Little Prince meets a wise fox, attaining a precious secret from it …

“Goodbye,” said the fox. “And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

Thereafter, The Little Prince befriends a pilot who learns to understands him, on why and how he sees life/human beings/things in certain angles and perspectives.

Entering into the world of The Little Prince, this is like The Little Prince beckoning me to continue walking, “Come on in, don’t be shy!”. Walking through the history and real life stories of Antoine de Saint-Exupery, he is more than just amazing, he is an inspiration.

Entering into another world, probably the real world of the Little Prince, there is a garden of roses where we can meet the different types of grown-ups in The Little Prince world. This is probably the fictional and fantasy world that maybe every human being dreams of and wants to live in.

On a very personal basis, The Little Prince opened up my world of fantasy, reading, photography and travel writing into another dimension. The stories of Antoine de Saint-Exupery are an eye-opener, an inspiration to me, as a traveler, photographer and writer. He has also infused his teaching/quote inside my heart and soul, to see and feel with my heart, that I am unable to see through my eyes, something that I hope to apply them into my photography, travel and writing.

This June school holiday season, it’s Children Season! Parents, time to bring your children down to Singapore Philatelic Museum for an educational and fun time at the exhibitions. The Little Prince exhibition is perfect for the children to learn about world history, stamps, international airmail services, as well as to explore a world of their own, to be inspired in seeking and building their own journeys ahead, through universal themes of courage, dedication, love and hope. For this June school holidays, the Singapore Philatelic Museum has exciting programmes for young children, for more information and details, visit their website!

Details of The Little Prince: Behind the Story

Venue: Singapore Philatelic Museum, 23-B Coleman Street, Singapore 179807

Date: 8^th June 2018 to 17^th March 2019

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10am – 7pm

Admission Charges:

– Free admission for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents

– Adult $8

– Child (3 – 12 years) $6

Telephone: 63373888

Website: www.spm.org.sg

Official hashtags: #littleprinceSPM #singaporephilatelicmuseum

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You’ve Got Mail!

On the other hand, the younger generation might not be to relate with this thing called, “You’ve Got Mail!”, they might have written some letters and post it, although most of the modern communication today is using technology and a host of different apps that they communicate with their family, relatives and friends.

There is a new exhibition at Singapore Philatelic Museum (SPM), taking place from 11^thApril to 31^stDecember 2018, titled “You’ve Got Mail!”. This exhibition seeks to re-ignite the good old days fond memories (for people like me) of writing, drawing and decorating a mail to your family, relatives or friends. For the younger generation, this exhibition would be excellent to know about how some of things were being done in the era whereby technology wasn’t as advanced as today’s technological standards. Hopefully, through visiting “You’ve Got Mail!” exhibition at Singapore Philatelic Museum.

Upon entering the gallery into the world of “You’ve Got Mail!”, I was reflecting and thinking … when was the last time I wrote a personalised letter/card, paste a postage stamp and mail it to a relative or friend? Maybe more than 20 years ago for me? Inside the gallery, there is a collection of 200 award winning decorative envelopes from the Washington Calligraphers Guild (USA). Take your time, to walk down memory lane, observe and admire the colorful and talented artworks, drawings and handwriting, each uniquely different and special.

There is still a certain charisma and attraction with the art of letter writing that the modern internet, technology and social media would not be to replicate. Every letter, envelope or card is unique and personalised, this is definitely a gift, a treasure that you can keep for memories sake and pass it on to your future generation because every letter, envelope or card tells a unique story.

Seeing Is Believing! Unusual Stamps

When you finished touring “You’ve Got Mail!” exhibition, it’s only the first segment, there is a second segment, known as “Seeing Is Believing! Unusual Stamps”. In this era of modern technology, stamps have innovaated along with modern technology as well, from stamp design and printing technology, accompanied with a bit of creativity, the modern stamp have transformed from the traditional and humble postage stamp (either square or rectangular shape) into today’s stamps that engage our senses – sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch.

In this “Seeing Is Believing! Unusual Stamps” exhibition, visitors are able to have a good look at all those new age new look stamps! Each unique new age stamps tell a unique story of each country they were from, let me share a few examples:

• Singapore (2008): World’s first hand-pasted beaded stamps depicting the exquisite beadwork of the Peranakans

• Bhutan (1973): World’s first “talking stamps” – plastic (vinyl) stamps embossed with melodies of native songs that are playable on a record player.

• Switzerland (2001): World’s first chocolate scented stamps

• Austria (2004): World’s first stamp embedded with Swarovski crystals

There are over 150 unusual stamps and philatelic materials from the SPM collection and lenders on display inside the gallery! Some of the stamps exhibits are interactive and fun, ideal for children to play and learn about unusual stamps and philatelic materials from all over the world!

You’ve Got Mail! Postcard Contest

There is a contest organised by SPM, a postcard design contest! Now is the time to let your creativity and inspiration flow into your own postcard design! Mail your creative postcards to this address:

Singapore Philatelic Museum

23-B Coleman Street

Singapore 179807

Closing date: By 17^thJune 2018

There are exciting prizes to be won, there are six cash prizes of up to $500, winners will be announced on 16^thJuly 2018 and images of the the winning entries will be posted on www.spm.org.sg. Terms and conditions apply.

The two new segments at SPM, “You’ve Got Mail!” and “Seeing Is Believing! Unusual Stamps” exhibitions are definitely worth visiting, it’s going to bring back some good old memories for you, they can also be an excellent experiential learning place for young kids too!

Pass it on and Pay It Forward, share about the two new new segments at SPM, “You’ve Got Mail!” and “Seeing Is Believing! Unusual Stamps” exhibitions with your family, relatives and friends!

Details of You’ve Got Mail! Exhibitions

Venue: Singapore Philatelic Museum

            23-B Coleman Street, Singapore 179807

Date: 11^thApril to 31^stDecember 2018

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday

                                     10:00am – 7:00pm

Admission charges: Free admission for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents

Admission charges for tourists: Adult $8 / Child (3-12 years old) $6

Telephone: 6337 3888

Website: www.spm.org.sg

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SingaporePhilatelicMuseum/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilovespm/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ilovespm

Offical hashtags: #youvegotmailSPM / #artonenvelopeSPM

The post You’ve Got Mail at Singapore Philatelic Museum! appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Make a guess, how many stamps and philatelic materials can be found in this All About Dogs exhibition at the Singapore Philatelic Museum? There are 300 stamps and philatelic materials (on dogs) from all around the world, making their presence here in Singapore. Beside the stamps and philatelic materials, there are multisensory interactive exhibits that the children can learn and enjoy when they visit All About Dogs exhibition with their family.

A short history on the relationship between human beings and dogs, it can be traced back over thousands of years ago. Originating from wolves, the early dogs ate the leftovers thrown away by the human beings. As time passes, the human beings and dogs developed a close relationship, a special bond of trust between them. Thereafter, dogs slowly and gradually became domesticated to the over 200 dog breeds that we have in the world today. Our dog breeds today can be divided into seven groups, namely working dogs, herding, hounds, toys, hunting, non-sporting and terriers.

Inside the All About Dogs exhibition, the children can play, enjoy and learn at the following interactive stations

• Role play as a dog groomer
• Test the sharpness of a human’s hearing as compared to a dog’s
• Identify scents
• See the colour of the world through dog’s eyes
• Piece together dog stamp jigsaws

My current family dog is a Japanese Spitz (fat, lazy, chubby, fluffy and cute), we used to own a silky terrier and a pomeranian (left us due to old age and illness). When I visited the All About Dogs exhibition, I tried searching for a stamp that shows a Japanese Spitz, however, I can’t find it! For the comic fans, keep a lookout for the iconic Snoopy, as well as Tintin’s loyal buddy Snowy!

All About Dogs exhibition is now ongoing till 1^st December 2018, it’s great for the children to visit and learn more about dogs, stamps and philatelic materials at the Singapore Philatelic Museum. Do plan a visit with your family and children!

Details of All About Dogs Exhibition 犬狗趣谈

Venue: Singapore Philatelic Museum

23-B Coleman Street, Singapore 179807

Date: 14^th February to 1^st December 2018

Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10:00am – 7:00pm

Admission charges: Free admission for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents

Admission charges for tourists: Adult $8

Child (3-12 years old) $6

Telephone: 6337 3888

Website: www.spm.org.sg

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SingaporePhilatelicMuseum/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilovespm/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ilovespm

Offical hashtags: #allaboutdogsSPM #singaporephilatelicmuseum

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