Cover from Belgium

Received a cover from Holger at http://www.myphilately.com/ from Belgium with four stamps on lighthouses on a fantastic lighthouse cover envelope.

2008 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix

First Day Cover affixed with stamps

Sheet of 10 stamps (S$2.00)

Singapore will host the world's first Formula 1 night race on 28 September 2008. The inaugural 2008 F1 Singapore Grand Prix will roar into town on a street circuit of public roads around the Marina Bay area - right at the heart of Singapore. Set against the backdrop of downtown Singapore, spectators will get a view of the garden city as the circuit winds past historic landmarks such as City Hall and modern buildings along the Marina Bay, such as the Esplanade.

The proposed 5.067km long circuit offers multiple overtaking opportunities, fast and challenging turns and gruelling sections that will test the capabilities of the F1 drivers. The Race is most unique in a way that it enjoys so many firsts - it is the first ever Formula 1 night race. Asia's first Formula 1 street race and Singapore's first Formula 1 race. In addition, it is one of three circuits in the 2008 Formula 1 calendar that turns anti-clockwise. This set of stamps commemorates this significant milestone in Singapore's sporting history.

Date of issue: 26 September 2008
Denominations: Se-tenant strip of two stamps, $2 x 2 designs
Stamp Size: 48mm x 30mm
Perforation: 13
Paper: Unwatermarked
Printing Process: Offset-Lithography
Printer: Secura Singapore Pte Ltd
Sheet Content: 10 stamps per sheet
Designer: Alynn Teo

First day cover affixed with stamps: S$4.90
Sheet of 10 stamps: S$20.00

Its amazing how popular the Formula 1 event is in Singapore that the tickets were sold out and less than half the day, the first day cover is almost gone. Thank goodness I got the stamps before it went racing away... =)

Beijing Olympics 2008 (India)

Received the FDC from Arun from http://www.myphilately.com

Date of issue: 8 August 2008
Denominations: 500p, 500p, 1500p, 1500p
Stamps Printed: 0.8 Million each
Printing Process: Photogravure
Printer: Indian Security Press, Nasik
Designer: Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation: Alka Sharma

Envelope Cover from Belgium

Received a cover from Holger at http://www.myphilately.com/ from Belgium with two of the stamps of the current Beijing Olympics 2008.

Beijing Olympics 2008

Olympic Games conference site hall

Stamp size (mm): 60mm x30mm
Perforation: 12x11.5
Printing process: Gravure

Olympic Games conference site hall

Sheet size (mm): 140mm x 85mm
Stamp size (mm): Length of side 40mm
Perforation: 13
Printing process: Gravure

The webpage below shows the postage stamps of New Zealand, Vietnam, USA, Indonesia, Korea, Peru, Vanuatu, Ghana and Malta in commemoration of the 29th Olympics in Beijing 2008. A couple of stamps in the web, I could not make out of them.

http://tech-fall.com/OlympicsBeijing/OlympicStamps.html

Greeting Stamps

In 1997, a set of five self-adhesive stamps valued at 80 Yen featuring the popular doreamon was issued.

Old Maps of Singapore

Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with stamps

Mint Se-tenant block of 4 stamps (15¢)

Mint 50¢ and $1 stamp

The island of Singapore was featured in early South-East Asia maps even before its founding as a modern commercial entreport port in the 19th Century. Sketches by Chinese and Portuguese traders from the 16th Century showed the island located strategically at the tip of Malay archipelago, and fronting the stretch of sheltered waterways known today as the Keppel Harbour.

With the establishment of Singapore as East India Company's trading port in 1819 by Stamford Raffles, maps began to be made of the island in greater detail. In the first few years, marine charts were produced for navigation purposes. Subsequent maps of the 1820s were topographical surveys made for revenue purposes. Of greater significance in the course of the next few decades were the extensive surveys on the interiors of the island as well as the sectional maps of the town area, incorporating proposed plan for administrative projects, building of roads and allocation of land for ethnic groupings.

Maps and charts with initially done on a part-time basis by military engineers as part of their surveys of the island and its surrounding waters. In 1827, G D Coleman was employed as the first official Revenue Surveyor, with duties to prepare land titles for the Singapore Town. Other prominent government surveyors in the 19th Century included Lt Jackson, Thomson, J B Tasin, J C Woods, C E McCallum and D Quinton.

The first maps of the Singapore island were hand drawn pieces, and many original manuscripts were mounted on canvas to preserve their usage. Subsequent prints made from these manuscripts survive the century. A range of the early maps of Singapore is preserved today mainly in the collections of the National Museum, and in the reference section of the National Library and Archives.

Featured on the 15¢ se-tenant block of four stamps is a pre-war Map of Singapore showing the Principal Residences and Places of Interests in the 1920s. By this period, the town had been laid out in its various principal uses, and there was a basic road infrastructure along which the modern business area of Singapore grew.

Depicted on the 50¢ stamp is a Map of the Island of Singapore and its Dependencies produced in the 1860s.

Featured on the $1 stamp is a very early Map of the British Settlement of Singapore in the 1820s, by Captain J Franklin and Lieutenant Jackson. It is one of the earliest maps to be produced on the outline of Singapore island.

Date of issue: 26 July 1989
Denominations: 15¢ (Se-tenant block of 4 designs), 50¢ and $1
Stamp Size: 15¢ (38.00mm x 33.34mm), 50¢ and $1 (38.10mm x 36.85mm)
Perforation: 14¼
Paper: Unwatermarked
Printing Process: Lithography
Printer: Harrison & Sons Ltd
Sheet Content: 15¢ (40 Stamps per sheet), 50¢ and $1 (50 Stamps per sheet)
Designer: Leo Teck Chong
Produced by Telecommunication Authority of Singapore

Local Delights

Sheet of 16 Stamps (65¢)

Sheet of 16 Stamps (1st Local)

Set of two Pre-cancelled Commemorative Covers affixed with Singapore and Macao stamps
Minature Sheet with two $2 stamps

Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with a miniature sheet having two $2 stamps: S$4.90

Singapore is a food paradise offering a myriad of delectable choices. It is also one of the attractions that entice tourists when they visit Singapore as its food relects the very best of this multicultural island.

In this joint stamp issue with Macao, a delightful array of local dishes from both Singapore and Macao is featured. Well known dishes from Singapore namely Chicken Rice, Laksa, Roti Prata and Satay, together with famous dishes from Macao Crispy Fried Chicken, Yangzhou Fried Rice, Meat Stew "Alentejana" style, and Grilled Codfish Slices - are shown in this delicious set of stamps. In addition, the famous "Chilli Crab" and Macao's popular "Claypot Rice" are featured in the minature sheet.

Date of issue: 4 July 2008
Denominations: 1st Local and 65¢ (each value in se-tenant block of 4 designs)
Stamp Size: 40mm x 30mm (1st Local & 65¢)
Minature Sheet with two $2 stamps: 140mm x 90mm
Perforation: 13¼ x 14
Paper: Unwatermarked
Printing Process: Fine Screen Offset-Lithography with Spot UV
Printer: Joh Enschede Security Printers
Sheet Content: 16
Designers: Thomas Au Man Hou and Carlos Goncalves
Photographer (Singapore Food): Aun Koh

Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with stamps: S$4.55
Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with a miniature sheet having two $2 stamps: S$4.90
Set of two Pre-cancelled Commemorative Covers affixed with Singapore and Macao stamps: S$9.00

Year of the Rat 2008

50 gummed-back stamps sheet (1st Local) 10 Self-adhesive stamps (1st Local)Collector's Sheet Offset Lithography with high reflective index transparent Hologram with morphing effect ($5 , $10 value)First Day Cover affixed with stamps

The highly intelligent, charming and enterprising Rat starts off a new cycle on the Chinese zodiac calendar. Three graphic ullustrations of this lively Rat ushering in the new Lunar Year 2008 are shown in this set of stamps.

There are a total of 12 animal signs in the Chinese calendar based on five ccles of 12 years each, with each cycle tempered by one of the five Chinese elements of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. According to Chinese astrology and belief, the traits of these zodiac animals not only shape the personalities of perople born under the respective sign but also their lives and the events of the year.

The year 2008, being the year of the Earth Rat, those born in this year are said to have an added sense if stability and desire to secure a good future for themselves and their families.
Apart from the Rat, the other Chinese zodiac animals are: The ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

Famous personalities born in the year of the Rat include William Shakespeare, Mozart, George Washington and Truman Capote.

Date of issue: 18 January 2008
Denominations: 1st Local, 65¢, $1.10
Stamp Size: 40mm x 30mm (1st Local & 65¢); 35mm x 44.8mm ($1.10)
Perforation: 14 x 14 (1st Local & 65¢); 14.25 x 14.25 ($1.10)
Paper: Unwatermarked
Printing Process: Offset-Lithography (Stamps); Offset Lithography with high reflective index transparent Hologram with morphing effect (Collector's Sheet)
Printer: Southern Colour Print (Stamps); Cartor Security Printing (Collector's Sheet)
Sheet Content: 50 gummed-back stamps per sheet (1st Local, 65¢, $1.10); 10 Self-adhesive stamps per sheet (1st Local)
Designer: Leo Teck Chong

First Day Cover affixed with stamps: S$2.75
Collector's Sheet: S$16.80

Shores and Reefs

Exclusively produced by HSBC, the Care-For-Nature Shores and Reefs Stamp Series is a limited edition of four stamps, available in Collector's Cover and Limited Stamp Print Collections (4-in-1 and Set-of-4 stamp prints), both pre-cancelled with the first day of issue date stamp and corporate postmark.

One guards the other cleans. Their perfect harmony also means terrible vulnerability.
2007 Care-For-Nature Stamp Series features native inhabitants of our coral reefs: the Hawksbill Turle and Remora, the Sea Urchin and Razorfirsh, the Singapore Goby and Blind Shrimp, and the Sea Anemone and False Clown Anemonefish.

Coral reefs are home to some of the most unusal relationships on the planet: Diverse species living together, working together, and growing together in a state of utmost harmony and cooperation. Symbiosis helps them survive and thrive, but their interdependence also makes them vulnerable. If one is lost, the other follows suit. We too also depend on the coral reefs as they depend on each other. Their extraordinary biodiversity provides us with food and natural compounds for medicine, and regulates carbon dioxide levels in the seas. The reefs also protect the shoreline against strong waves and support adjacent ecosystems such as seagrass beds, rocky shores and mangroves.

In turn, the reefs rely on us for protection. Without our commitment to their conservation, this treasure trove of life - one of the oldest ecosystems on Earth will vanish, and with it, discovery, knowledge and splendour.

Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Remora (Echeneis naucrates)
As the Hawksbill turtle feeds among the corals, the remora using its specialized sucking disc, hitches a ride on its back and ets the food scraps left behind. in return, the remora cleans the Hawksbill, eating not only the algae on its shel, but molting skin and parasites from the trutle's head and fins.

Sea Anemone (Stichodactyla sp.) and False Clown Anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris)
The anemone, an animal with stinging tentacles, is home to the colourful False Clown anemonefish. Immune to the poisonous stings, the anemonefish defends the anemone from its predators, and regularly cleans its host of leftovers. The deadly anemone, in turn, protects the anemonefish from its enemies and eats food dropped by the fish.

Sea Urchin (Diadema sp.) and Razorfish (Aeoliscus strigatus)
The urchin lies still as the razorfish nips between its long spines, picking off parasites and remnants of food. At any sign of danger, the rather flat razorfish darts between the urchin's spines. There the razorfish stays safe from potential predators. Thus, while the razorfish receives protection and food, the urchin is kept clean and healthy.

Singapore Goby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus) and Blind Shrimp (Alpheus sp.)
In the sand, a shrimp digs and cleans a burrow. Near the doorway the goby stands guard. Using its antennae, the shrimp keeps in regular contact with the goby's fins and tail. At the first sign of trouble, the goby flicks the shrimp with its tail, and both the goby and shrimp dash into their shared home.

Date of Issue: 17 October 2007

Denominations: 1st Local and $1.10 (each value 2 designs)

Pre-cancelled Care-for-Nature Collector’s Cover: S$9.90

Special 4-in-1 Stamp Print Collection measures 24.5cm x 24.5 cm: S$88.00

Set-of-4 Stamp Print Collection; Each stamp print measures 24.5cm x 24.5 cm: S$198.00

Orders can be placed online at http://www.hsbc.com.sg/

Cultural Dances

Singapore's cultural dances offer a vibrant display of its multi-ethnic society. Behind each dance form - be it Chinese, Indian, Eurasian & Western or Malay - lies a wealth of history, culture, tradition and artistry. As seen in the four designs in this issue - for 1st Local, 2nd Local, $1.10 and $2 stamps- they provide a potpourri of cultural diversity and styles that is truly a feast for the senses.

Chinese cultural dances. Introduced to Singapore by the migant Chinese, these dances are rich and varied. They were originally steeped in folk tradition - performed at communities and celevrations. But with the flowering of arts and culture in the Han and Tang dynasties, more Chinese dance forms were created, especially for imperial court entertainment.

Indian cultural dances. In Indian culture, dance is a form of worship and an expression of human emotions. Divided into two categories - folk and classical - Indian cultural dances often include other art elements like Indian mythology, literature, music, poetry, mime and sculpture. Dancers usually enact stories through a series of facial expressions, elaborate body movements, hand symbols and postures.

Eurasian & Western cultural dances. Being a former British colony, Ballet and western dances like the Waltz and Tango are an integral part of Singapore's culture. The Eurasian community - with its fusion of western and Asian parentage - has also made a distinctive mark on the local dance map. Mostly portuguese in origin, with dance steps, music and costumes influenced by Portuguese folk dances, the repertoire includes dances like the Branyo. Uniquely Eurasian, they are often a mixture of Malay and Portuguese folk dances and were widely enjoyed by the earliest European settlers from Portugal.

Malay cultural dances. From folk to ethnic-tribe to court-classical, Malay cultural dances are graceful and rhythmic. Among them, the most popular are the Ronggeng and the Joget. The traditional folk dances were usually performed in villages for joyful occasions such as weddings and engagements, while the ethnic-tribe dances were related to rituals, such as the harvest festival.

Date of Issue: 16 May 2007
Denominations: 1st Local, 2nd, $1.10 and $2.00
Stamp Size: 50mm x 30mm
Perforation: 14 x 14
Paper: Unwatermarked
Printing Process: Offset-Lithography
Printer: Southern Colour Print
Sheet Content: 50 stamps per sheet
Designer: Tze Ngan

First Day Cover affixed with stamps: S$4.45

Washington World Philatelic Exhibition 2006

A special stamp sheetlet on the Washington 2006 World Philatelic Exhibition is issued to commemorate Hongkong Post's participation in this international event held in Washington DC, the United States, from 27 May to 3 June 2006. Hongkong Post is pleased to participate in Washington 2006 which provides an excellent opportunity to present quality Hong Kong stamps overseas and to promote philately as a universaly enjoyable hobby.

Under the patronage of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie, the exhibition explores the themes of "Role of the Post Office in Uniting the Country", "Children - They Are The Future" and "Moving the Mail in the 21st Century".

The three themes are combined in the stamp sheetlet. Childresn holding hands in their ethnic costumes, doves carrying letters in their beaks and shapes decorated with serrated edges allude to postal services which connect millions of people around the world. The Bauhinia and the American Beauty Rose, the floral emblems of Hong Kong and Washington DC, highlight the good rapport between the two cities. The children's motif recurs in the First Day Cover design together with the offical logo of the exhibition in the bottom corner.

Date of Issue: 27 May 2006
Denominations: HKD10
Stamp Size: 45mm x 28mm
Stamp Sheetlet Size: 130mm x 75mm
Perforation: 13.07 x 13.33 (one elliptical perforation on each vertical)
Paper: Paper with security fibres
Printing Process: Lithography
Printer: Cartor Security Printing, France
Designer: Benny Lau

First Day Cover affixed with stamps: HKD11

Vanishing Trades

Since independence, Singapore has made tremendous progress in terms of economic development. With rapid urbanisation and modernisation come change, and many of the trades that were once a common sight in Singapore are now canishing. Some of these trades have vanished, replaced by modern machinery. Some are still thriving, given a new "facelift" while others are being phased out.

This set of ten stamps (5 x 1st Local stamps and 5 X $0.80 stamps) features some of these vanishing trades. The clog maker, wooden bucket maker, spice grinder, snake charmer and the satay man were featured in the set of five 1st Local stamps. The mama store, the roti man, the back-lane barber, the Chinese medicinal teashop and the tin bucket maker appeared in the set of five $0.80 stamps.

Beautifully illustrated, the stamps captured an important slice of Singapore's heritage, preserving parts of its multi-cultural lifestyles.

Date of Issue: 24 May 2006
Denominations: 1st Local and 80¢ (each value 5 designs)
Stamp Size: 34mm x 23mm
Perforation: 13
Paper: Unwatermarked
Printing Process: Offset-Lithography
Printer: Beijing Stamp Printing House
Sheet Content: 10 stamps
Designer: Tze Ngan

First Day Cover affixed with stamps: S$5.85

The Singapore Story

The four commemorative stamps tracing the Singapore story are released to mark the launch of the National Education Exhibition, a mammoth exhibition organised by the Ministry of Information and the Arts from 7 to 31 July 1998. The aim of the exhibition is to educate the young and promote public awareness of the nation's history. The stamps depict some of the defining moments of Singapore history from 1955 to 1965, when it was declared an independent nation. The photographs used on the stamps are reproduced with the kind permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Information and the Arts.

1955-1959: Turbulent Years
The stamp design shows a montage of images: the foreground depicts the student and labour unrest; the background depicts rallies organised by the various political parties before the 1955 and 1959 elections. The Malay word "Merdeka" which means "freedom", is overprinted on the stamp.

1961-1965: Towards Merger and Independence
Singapore and Malaysia signed the Agreement in 1963, which led to the merger. However, the merger was not successful and Singapore was asked to leave Malaysia on 9 August 1965. Words like "Referendum", "Merdeka", "Konfrontasi", "Malaysian Malaysia" are used on the stamps to remind people of the various incidents. The Malay words "Majulah Malaysia" are overprinted on the stamp.

1959-1963: Self-Government
The stamp design captures the triumphant moment of the people and the housing and industrialisation programme started by the newly elected government. It also features members of the first Cabinet from the People's Action Party. The Malay words "Majulah Singapura" which means "Onward Singapore" are overprinted on the stamp.

1965..... A Nation is Born
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew declared Singapore an independent nation on 9 August 1965. Singapore was also admitted into the United Nations (UN) in the same year. The stamp design depicts the joyous mood of the people with the Singapore and UN flags in the background. The words "one People, One Nation" are overprinted on the stamp.

Date of Issue: 7 July 1998
Denominations: One stamp with No value indicator (valued at the prevailing postage up to the basic weight-step for local mail). Three other stamps comprising 60¢, $1, $2
Stamp Size: 50mm x 33mm
Perforation: 12¾ x 13¼
Paper: Unwatermarked
Printing Process: Offset-Lithography
Printer: Joh Enschede Security Printers
Designer: Chua Ban Har / Design Business (S) Pte Ltd

First Day Cover affixed with stamps: S$4.40

Fragile Forest

The above set of stamps was launched on the 5th June 1998 inconjunction with the launch of the Fragile Forest and the 25th Anniversary of the Singapore Zoological Gardens. The Fragile Forest is a new ecological display in the Singapore Zoological Gardens, based on the various rainforest ecosystems. The display is primarily on invetebrates but will also include small mammals, birds, fish and reptiles. The 10 animals featured on the stamps are: Rhino Beetle, Surinam Horned Frog, Atlas Moth, Green Iguana, Giant Scorpion, Hissing Cockroach, Two-toed Sloth, Archer Fish, Cobalt Blue Tarantula and Greater Mousedeer.

Date of Issue: 5 June 1998
Denominations: No value indicator x 10 designs (valued at the prevailing postage up to the basic weight-step for local mail)
Stamp Size: 30mm x 25mm

Stamp Booklet Size: 70mm x 90mm
Perforation: 11
Paper: Unwatermarked
Printing Process: Photogravure
Printer: Joh Enschede Security Printers
Designer: Design Business (S) Pte Ltd

First Day Cover affixed with stamps: S$2.70

100 Years of FIFA

On 21 May 1904, the Fédération Internationale de Football Assocation (FIFA) was founded with the objective of organising championshop matches between professional teams of different nations. As FIFA turns 100 in 2004, the unique set of stamps commemorates this special event with designs featuring familar sports images such as the football field, the soccer ball, the jersey and the world map to symbolise a world bound by the universal game of football.

Date of Issue: 21 May 2004

Denominations: 30¢, 60¢, $1, $2

Stamp Size: 35.19mm x 38mm

Perforation: 13

Paper: Unwatermarked

Printing Process: Offset Lithography with Embossed Flockage

Printer: Cartor Security Printing

Sheet Content: 10 stamps

Designer Wong Wui Kong

Quantity Printed (FDC): 35,000

First Day Cover affixed with stamps: S$4.55