Singapore, 9 October 2023 - Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) today issued a set of stamps to commemorate the 165 years of postal services in Singapore - Singapore Postal Services Over The Years. This stamp issue showcases how Singapore’s postal services has transformed over the course of its history, from the colonial days to nationhood, and a globally connected city today.
Illustrated by designer Mr Wong Wui Kong, the set of five stamps depict the transformation of Singapore’s postal services through a different lens, from a playful, isometric perspective. These miniature artworks present a bird’s eye view of a three-dimensional world featuring key developments of the postal service over the years.
Ms Neo Su Yin, CEO Singapore, SingPost, said: “This stamp release celebrates the remarkable strides the postal services had made over the past 165 years. From humble beginnings, postal services have evolved into a global network that connects Singapore to people and businesses across the globe. Today, SingPost is embracing change and innovating for the future to continue playing a vital role in our society, delivering relevant essential services for the nation.”
60c – The Colonial Heritage
In the early 19th century, mail was predominantly administered by the military when the British first arrived. As the colonial outpost prospered, demand for mail services surged. In 1858, an independent postal department was formally established to manage an ever-increasing mail volume. By the turn of the 20th century, Singapore had already flourished into a thriving gateway to the Far East. Mail and cable communication were transiting through the port city to reach major cities of the world.
80c – The First Airmail Arrives
In 1919, the first airmail landed in Singapore. The Vickers-Vimy biplane made a pit stop on the island while enroute from England to Australia. Letters that flew with it even had their covers hand stamped with a local cancellation. Surprisingly, it was a decade later in 1928 that the first official airmail flew direct from the city to London. After World War II ended, regular flight services resumed and a new airport in Paya Lebar was opened in 1955 to cater to burgeoning air traffic. A booming economic environment further fuelled the growth of airmail and courier services.
90c – Making Every Delivery Count
The first postal codes were introduced in 1950, with the island being demarcated into twenty-eight districts. Rapid development in the succeeding decades tripled the number of sectors to eighty-one. With this, postal codes that used to be in two-digit codes were adjusted to four-digit codes in 1979, and subsequently to a six-digit system in the mid-90s. In 1992, the postal administration was fully corporatised into Singapore Post, a singular commercial entity created to service a gradually maturing economy.
$1.15 – Integrating New Technologies
The dawn of the new millennium paved the way for a new Mail Processing Centre in Eunos, which boasts an automated, state-of-the-art mail and parcel sorting facility. Changing lifestyles and the evolving business landscape also heralded a new generation of post offices, equipped with 24-hour self-service kiosks for the public to tap on essential services at any time of day. A self-help smart locker station, known as POPStation, was launched in 2013 to meet the increasing demands of a growing segment of eCommerce customers.
$1.50 – A Smarter and A More Sustainable Future
SingPost embraced technology to stay ahead and build a smarter, highly connected, and more sustainable future through innovation. On the sustainability front, post offices and retail stores have long since ceased offering polythene bags to customers to stamp out the reliance on plastic usage. SingPost is also targeting to fully convert its fleet of internal combustion engine vehicles to electric scooters and vans by 2026, as part of its goals to reduce its carbon footprint. As we forge ahead into the future, our postal services will continue to evolve as new innovations and technologies reshape the way we live and communicate.
Special date stamp cancellation in Gold ink
In celebration of 165 years of postal services in Singapore, the Philatelic Stores will provide special date stamps using gold coloured ink. These would be available at Philatelic Store@GPO and Philatelic Store@Fullerton from 9-31 October 2023.
Sale of stamps
The stamps (valued between 60 cents and S$1.50), Pre-cancelled First Day Covers (S$6.60) and Presentation Packs (S$7.70) go on sale from today (9 October 2023) at all post offices, Philatelic Stores and online at shop.singpost.com, while stocks last.
About Singapore Post Limited
Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) is a leading postal and eCommerce logistics provider in Asia Pacific. The portfolio of businesses spans from national and international postal services to warehousing and fulfilment, international freight forwarding and last mile delivery, serving customers in more than 220 global destinations. Headquartered in Singapore, SingPost has over 4,900 employees, with offices in 13 markets worldwide. Since its inception in 1858, the Group has evolved and innovated to bring about best-in-class integrated logistics solutions and services, making every delivery count for people and planet. www.singpost.com
