150th Anniversary of the First Postage Stamps Issued in Singapore

A new exhibition has recently opened to the public at the Singapore Philatelic Museum (SPM) from 1st September 2017 to 1st January 2018, visitors to SPM are able to enjoy a very interesting and intriguing exhibition of stamps, some of the stamps have a very rich and old history, some of the rarest stamps, covers and other philatelic materials on display, showcasing the history and significance of Singapore from her Colonial days when she was an international port of call around the world.

On 31st August, I was at the official launch and opening of the exhibition – 150th Anniversary of the First Postage Stamps Issued in Singapore, attended and launched by Guest-of-Honour Mr Chan Yeng Kit (Chairman of Infocomm Media Development Authority), Mr Woo Keng Leong (CEO, Postal Services at SingPost), Mr Hong Tuck Kun (Chairman of the Stamp Advisory Committee), Mr Richard Tan (President of the ASP) and Professor Cheah Jin Seng (Chairman of SPM Board) at the SPM.

Thereafter, I went into the exhibition space to view the collection of stamps on display at this exhibition. When you entered into the exhibition space, it might look small in terms of floor size, however, there are a lot of stamps on display and some of the rarest stamps are there! Every stamp, cover and philatelic material tells a story of Singapore, her postal history and history as part of the Straits Settlements. It’s really amazing, mind blowing at times, it’s not just the history behind it, there are also stories behind some of the stamps on display there. This exhibition is excellent and very suitable for parents to bring their children there to learn more about Singapore’s history and culture.

Just to share a bit on the history of the Straits Settlements, in the year 1867, Singapore, Penang and Malacca were transferred from the jurisdiction of the East India Company in India to British rule in London as a Crown Colony. Singapore took control of the seat of the government of the Straits Settlements, along with its postal affairs. In order to commemorate the change of governance, a new set of stamps was issued on 1st September 1867, for the first time by the Singapore Post Office.

I didn’t get the chance to view and learn about every single stamp, cover and philatelic material on display because there are many stamps inside the exhibition. I have to plan a time and visit the exhibition at SPM again. For my next visit, I am going to slow down, view, observe and learn more about each stamp, their story and history.

When you visit 150th Anniversary of the First Postage Stamps Issued in Singapore at SPM, you can purchase a momento of this key postal milestone, the following items will available during the exhibition period:

  • A limited edition, 150th Anniversary of the First Postage Stamps Issued in Singapore. Price: $50
  • A series of 150th Anniversary of the First Postage Stamps Issued in Singapore exhibition picture postcards. Each month, a different set of 4 serialised picture postcards will be available. The pictures on the postcards are of the exhibits on display. Price: $10 for a strip of four postcards.
  • Special Exhibition Souvenir Covers: Bring home a special exhibition souvenir cover with 1st local stamp and the event date stamp (1st September 2017). Price: $3.

In conjunction with the SPM exhibition 150th Anniversary of the First Postage Stamps Issued in Singapore, SingPost has 1st local, 2nd local, 60cents, 70cents and $1.30 issued in Singapore stamps. Pre-cancelled First Day Covers affixed with the complete set of stamps are available at $4.25. There is also a Collection Pack, comprising of the 5 SingPost stamps and 3 Pos Malaysia stamps commemorating the first Straits Settlements will also be sold. You can buy them at the General Post Office, Philatelic Store which starts operations at the SingPost Centre, Jurong West Post Office and online at shop.singpost.com.

For more information , check out the URL links below-

Do visit the the exhibition – 150th Anniversary of the First Postage Stamps Issued in Singapore at SPM, if you are a parent, bring your children there, it would be a fun learning experience for them!

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