Singapore 1959-1963 ( Self Government State )

In 1955 at the Legislative Assembly General Election, the Labour Front Party emerged as the most number of candidates elected. Its leader David Marshall became the First Chief Minister of Singapore. He led a delegation to London in 1956 to negotiate for independence of Singapore but failed. The reason was he was too soft with the communists. In 1954, the labour unrests led by the communists were so many that it was dubbed as ‘The Year of the Strikes’. The British government wanted him to deal with the communists first before granting independence for Singapore. He resigned upon returning to Singapore. Lim Yew Hock then the Minister for Labour and Welfare took over as Second Chief Minister. He began a series of suppression against the communists. The British government then had more confidence in granting independence. From 1956 to 1968, there were a series of ‘Merdeka Talks’ for Singapore. The British finally agreed to grant self-government to Singapore in 1959 under the New Constitution. The People’s Action Party had just won the 30 May election and Lee Kuan Yew became the Prime Minister. On 1 June 1959, the General Post Office issued this set of ‘The New Constitution’ stamps. Each stamp has the Golden Lion to represent the state of Singapore with government administrative buildings in the background. Queen Elizabeth II was still the sovereign head as defence and foreign affairs were still under her control. 

The Malayan Federation came into being in 1957 but Singapore remained a separate state. The stamps of the Malayan Federation were interchangeable with the current stamps of Singapore. Singapore became self governing as the State of Singapore on 3 June 1959 and commemorated the event with a special stamp issue. These were the first stamps where the Singapore Lion dominated the design. The Singapore Lion did of course appear as part of the state crest on the $5 value definitive issued in 1955. With this New Constitution issue, the stamps of Singapore no longer bore the word "Malaya".

Stamps were issued to commemorate the new constitution that saw Singapore turning from a British colony to that of a state. Design showing Singapore Lion and Administrative Centre.

1/6/1959

Internal Self-Government : New Constitution

Singapore celebrated its first national day as a self-governing state on 3rd June 1960. The occasion was commemorated aptly with two stamps featuring the new state flag.

The words ‘State of’ were in cursive and SINGAPORE was in bold. June 3 1960 were printed on the left of the landscape format of the stamp. In this issue there were only two stamps – the 4 cent denomination and the 10 cent denomination. At that time 4 cent postage was used for posting an unsealed standard envelope, whereas a 10 cent postage was used for a sealed standard envelope. 

3/6/1960

Singapore National Day 1960

3/6/1961

Singapore National Day 1961

31/3/1962

Definitives Series #1

3/6/1962

Singapore National Day 1962

3/6/1963

Singapore National Day 1963

8/8/1963

South-East Asia Cultural Festival

Traditional Dances II

se-tenant strip for SODA 

Date of Issue : 3 February 2016

Stamp Value: 60sen x 5 designs

Stamp Size: 25mm x 60mm

Perforation: 14

Sheet Content: 20 pieces

Paper: SPM Watermarked, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process: Litography

Printer: Percetakan Keselamatan Nasional Sdn Bhd

Stamp Designer: Hazel Design Sdn Bhd

Israel 2014 National Heritage – Landmarks

 

The bond between the People of Israel and Eretz Israel has remained strong for thousands of years. Previous generations left behind a myriad of sites that tell us how the inhabitants of Eretz Israel lived during different periods. These sites attest to the cultural and historical heritage of the Jewish people in their homeland.

 

In 2010 the Israeli government initiated the Empowerment of National Heritage Infrastructure Project, whose goal is to rehabilitate and empower this infrastructure by investing in the preservation, restoration, development, study, publicity, advertising and marketing of historical assets and cultural treasures in order to strengthen Israel's identity, cultural wealth and unifying strength. The Heritage Project includes hundreds of cultural assets, five of which are featured on the stamps in this series.

 

 

City of David, Jerusalem 

King David chose the Jebusite city that he captured and called the City of David to serve as the capital of his united kingdom. This small town was the nucleus from which Jerusalem grew into the city that served as the setting for many of the events described in the Bible. Within the framework of the Heritage Project, a nighttime display presenting the site's story will be developed for the general public. 

The stamp bears a bulla featuring the seal of Gemaryahu ben Shaphan (who is mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah) against the background of an aerial photo of the City of David. 

The stamp tab features the Shiloach Inscription found inside Hezekiah's Tunnel.

 

 

Ein Keshatot, Golan 

In the late 19th century, the remains of a Jewish village dating back to the time of the Mishnah and the Talmud were discovered in the southern Golan. A 5th century synagogue was uncovered in the center of the village, one of the most beautiful ever unearthed in Eretz Israel. The site, known today as Ein Keshatot, was destroyed in the 8th century by an earthquake. As part of the Heritage Project, the synagogue is being restored and the overall site is being developed. 

The stamp features the restored synagogue and the dais for the Holy Ark. 

The stamp tab depicts the menorah engraved on the capital of one of the columns in the synagogue.

 

  

Synagogue, Peki'in 

In the early 20th century, Yitzhak Ben-Zvi came to the Galilean village of Peki'in, where he met members of the Musta'arabi community, Jews who according to tradition never left Eretz Israel and continued to work the land. The Jews of Peki'in epitomized the preservation of the connection to the land of Eretz Israel. The synagogue located at the center of the village was renovated in the 19th century and two ancient stone tablets were incorporated into its walls. A menorah is engraved on one of the tablets, and a Holy Ark on the other. The Heritage Project is focused on documenting the history of the Peki'in community and on preserving the ancient synagogue. 

The stamp features the Peki'in synagogue as well as the engraved menorah. 

The stamp tab depicts a relief of the Holy Ark.

 

Detention Camp, Atlit 

The restrictions imposed by British Mandate authorities on the entry of Jews into Eretz Israel forced Yishuv leaders and various immigration movements to act illegally and bring the Jewish immigrants in on dilapidated ships and under harsh conditions. The British did everything they could to capture the immigrant ships and transfer their passengers to detention camps which were constructed first in Atlit and later in Cyprus. The Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites, which maintains the camp, purchased and renovated a ship similar to those that served to bring the Jewish immigrants and built an exhibit inside, reflecting the immigrants' living conditions. The site is being developed within the framework of the Heritage Project, including the renovation of the main buildings and the design of exhibits inside them. 

The stamp features a ship similar to those used to bring immigrants against the background of barracks at the Atlit detention camp. 

The stamp tab shows passengers disembarking from the "Umot Me'uchadot" (united nations) immigrant ship onto the shore in Nahariya.

 

 Independence Hall, Tel-Aviv 

The "two-thousand-year-old hope to be a free people in our land" was realized on May 14, 1948 with the declaration of the establishment of the State of Israel. The declaration ceremony was conducted in the home of Meir Dizengoff, one of the first homes built in Ahuzat Bayit, Tel-Aviv's first neighborhood. The building was later turned into an art museum. David Ben Gurion read the Declaration of Independence, which was signed at the bottom by members of the Provisional State Council. As part of the Heritage Project, the declaration hall was renovated and an Independence Museum is to be established there. 

The stamp features the Declaration of Independence against the background of Independence Hall. 

The stamp tab shows David Ben Gurion reading the Declaration of Independence as he announces the establishment of the State of Israel.

MALAYSIA 2014 World Youth Stamp Exhibition & Asian International Stamp Exhibition, 29th

A series of special stamps (miniature sheets) was issued in conjunction with the Malaysia World Youth Stamp Exhibition 2014 (KLwyse). The event will be held from December 1st to 6th 2014 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).

The special miniature sheets are:

December 1, 2014  - Heritage Building

December 2, 2014 –160th Year of Postage Stamp Usage in Malaysia

December 3, 2014 –Flora

December 4, 2014 –Fauna

December 5, 2014 –Cultural Dance

December 6, 2014 –Malay Folk Stories 

 RM5 : Heritage Building

This miniature sheet features the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, one of the most historic, iconic and recognisable landmarks in Kuala Lumpur. Heavily influenced by Moorish architecture and colonial aesthetics, the legendary building with its 40-metre clock tower provides an irresistible old world charm while standing majestically against the robust and ever-changing Kuala Lumpur skyline.

RM1, RM2 & RM3 : 160th Year of Postage Stamp Usage in Malaysia

This collection commemorates the 160th anniversary of the postage stamp usage in Malaysia. It features a letter, dated 19 December 1854 showing the earliest known usage of Four Annas (four denominations) – Half Annas, One Anna, Two Annas and Four Annas stamps within the Straits Settlements, cancelled using the ‘Diamond of Dots’ postmark which was the first standard

postmark used to cancel stamps throughout the East India Company postal region.

  

 RM2 & RM3 : Flora

The flora-themed miniature sheet highlights the Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) which is a symbol of national pride. It is officially chosen as the national flower in 1960 by Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s first Prime Minister. The Rafflesia (Rafflesia arnoldii), a rare flower that is native to Malaysian rainforests and known for its exotic and unique appearance also features in the sheet.

RM2 & RM3 : Fauna

Fauna collection features “A Jungle Warrior and The Man of The Forest” – The Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris) and Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus).

RM5 : Cultural Dance

Mak Yong, a traditional dance-drama which was declared a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO in 2005 is selected to feature in the cultural dance-themed miniature sheet. This enchanting piece of art originated centuries ago in Kelantan as court entertainment and combines acting, vocal and instrumental music, gestures and elaborate costumes with an evocative story telling.

RM5 : Malay Folk Stories

The Malay Folk Stories-themed miniature sheet depicts one of the most captivating tales of Malaysian folklore, the Princess of Gunung Ledang.

Technical Details

Miniature Sheet

Value: RM3.00 x 2 & RM5.00 x 5

Miniature Sheet size: 100mm x 80mm

Paper: SPM Watermarked, Phosphor Coated

Printing Process: Lithography

Stamp Designer:

1) Reign Associates Sdn Bhd

2 ) Hazel Design Sdn Bhd

Printer: Percetakan Keselamatan Nasional Sdn Bhd

Date of Issue:

 01-Dec-2014



Editions
2014 Nov 5 - World Youth Stamp Exhibition
2014 Dec 1 - World Youth Stamp Exhibition

Malaysia 2013 Baba & Nyonya Heritage ( MS Variant )

2013 Miniature Sheet

Malaysia issued stamps themed around Baba & Nyonya heritage on 29 November 2013 to coincide with the 26th Baba Nyonya International Convention.  The miniature sheet used a "die-cut" technique where parts of the paper were cut out to resemble the "Kerawang" (openwork) style of Nyonya embroidery.

On May 10, 2012, the Nyonya Kebaya was officially gazetted as a National Heritage Object by the Malaysian Department of National Heritage under the National Heritage Act 2005. This prestigious recognition coincided with the Nyonya Kebaya embroidery winning the UNESCO Award of Excellence for Handicraft that same year.  This legacy of prestige culminated in 2024, when the Kebaya was officially inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

2014 Gold-Plated Copper

The 2014 Gold Plated Miniature Sheet was a premium, surprise release by Pos Malaysia on December 1, 2014, specifically to commemorate the Kuala Lumpur World Youth Stamp Exhibition (KLWYSE). 

Although it utilizes the same iconic Nyonya Kebaya design from the 2013 Baba Nyonya heritage series, it is technically a 2014 issue and is highly distinct because it is an actual 22K gold-plated copper metal stamp rather than just gold foil or ink. This luxury item was limited to only 5,000 pieces, featuring a face value of RM 50.00, and was sold in a high-quality presentation folder that detailed the history of the Peranakan culture. Unlike many decorative philatelic items, this metal stamp was officially recognized as valid for postage, making it a unique "unusual" material issue that remains a centerpiece for many Malaysian stamp collections today.

2015 Embroidery

The 2015 Baba & Nyonya Heritage (Embroidery) miniature sheet was issued by Pos Malaysia in February 2015 as a premium follow-up to the popular 2013 Baba & Nyonya Heritage stamp series. With a face value of RM35, it was designed mainly as a collector’s item rather than for everyday postal use. What makes this issue especially distinctive is that it incorporates real embroidery stitches into the design, inspired by the traditional Nyonya kebaya, a finely embroidered blouse worn by Peranakan women. Unlike ordinary paper stamps, this miniature sheet combines conventional lithographic printing with textile embroidery techniques, giving it a textured, tactile surface that reflects the craftsmanship of Peranakan artisans.

The miniature sheet measures approximately 85 × 110 mm, with a large central stamp of about 50 × 60 mm, allowing the embroidery details to be clearly appreciated. It was designed by Reign Associates Sdn Bhd and printed by Cartor Security Printing, continuing the same design and production partnership used for earlier Baba & Nyonya issues. Around 10,000 sheets were produced, making it a limited-issue collectible. Although it is technically valid for postage, its high denomination and delicate embroidered surface mean that most collectors preserve it in mint condition