Categories of Singapore Stamps

Found some interesting information from a recent brochure that I got from Singapore Post.

There are mainly 4 categories of stamps in Singapore:

1. Definitive stamps. These are stamps printed to meet Singapore's normal postal demand. New definitive stamps are usually released every 3 to 5 years.

2. Commemorative Stamps. These are stamps that celebrate significant national and international events like YOG, APEC 2009, etc.

3. Special stamps. These stamps depict subjects of general interest such as flora, fauna, culture, history and architecture.

4. Greetings Stamps. These stamps can be used on special occasions to convey joyous messages. An example will be Christmas stamps or Chinese New Year stamps.

Singapore Postage Stamps Catalogue

For those that need a reference to a stamp catalogue that has details about Singapore stamps, I strongly recommend the Singapore Postage Stamps Catalogue that is published by CS Philatelic Agency. It is the only catalogue that I know about that deals solely with Singapore stamps.

The 2nd edition catalogue contains information about the Straits Settlements, Japanese Occupation, BMA and Issues till 2007. I am not sure whether the 3rd or 4th edition has been published. It retails for S$20 or US$24.

Good things about the Catalogue

The catalogue is very detailed and provides pictures of a comprehensive list of all Singapore stamps and even before Singapore gained its independence. It publishes the price of the various stamps and from it, you can find out lots of information like the number of stamps printed, the date of issue, number of stamps in a set, etc.

Bad Things about the Catalogue

The only misgivings I have about the catalogue is the haphazard arrangement of advertisements at both the front and back of the catalogue. Usually, advertisements should be kept to the back of the catalogue as I have to flip through various pages before I get to the front page of the catalogue.

Ruined Stamps by Poor Soaking Method

I ruined some stamps because I did not soak them properly.

The mistake I made was to use cool water instead of lukewarm water. Was too lazy and figured that cool water would work just as well. I waited and waited and realised that the stamps did not come off even after half and hour.

By then, a lot of the paper was starting to disintegrate and the stamps were still stuck to them!

What followed was me trying to use my fingers to "rub" away the paper that was still stuck to the back of the stamps. Some stamps were spoilt as they got torn as I was trying to do that.

Oh well. Guessed I learnt from my mistake. ALWAYS USE LUKEWARM OR WARM WATER TO SOAK STAMPS. Remember that my friends!