The Singapore Philatelic Museum is a museum about the postal history of Singapore and its stamps. The museum, located at 23-B Coleman Street in Singapore, was formerly part of the Anglo-Chinese School, completed in 1906. In the 1970s, the building became the Methodist Book Room until it was restored to become the present museum. Singapore Philatelic Museum opened on 19 August 1995 to promote interest in and the appreciation of Singapore’s history and heritage in philately. Besides the permanent galleries, the theme galleries offer a host of changing exhibitions throughout the year. These include displays from the private collections of renowned philatelists, travelling exhibitions from overseas and themed exhibitions to commemorate new stamp issues. The museum has a stamp shop, and is popular with stamp collectors. There are files where visitors can inspect all of the Republic of Singapore stamps issued. Also on exhibit is a German forgery of a British postage stamp printed during World War II which intentionally has a printing error which mocks King George VI.
Superhero Exhibit
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Chinese Medicine Exhibit
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Interactive Area
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Flanked by office buildings and a coca-cola vending machine, the Singapore Philatelic Museum has a distinct colonial flair and a unique way of preserving some of Singapore’s cultural and physical history. With five permanent exhibits and a variety of traveling and themed temporary galleries, the Museum boasts files of every Republic of Singapore stamp issued, all available for the perusal of visitors.
Their mission is to help promote the use of philately (the collection and study of stamps) for educational purposes, as stamp design is often a great historical indicator of how the public, government, and culture as a whole related to internal and external events of the given time period.
The Museum was opened on August 19, 1995, housed in a building that was once part of the Anglo Chinese school dating back to 1906. Designed by Tomlinson and Lermit Architects, the building was commissioned by the Trustees of the Anglo Chinese School as an addition to the 1897 Oldam Hall. It was then used as a Methodist Book Room from 1970 until its restoration as the Singapore Philatelic Museum in 1995. The Museum is currently a fully owned subsidiary of the National Heritage Board.
Not just for stamp buffs, the Museum offers a view into the traditions and cultures of a multi-ethnic Singapore as captured on stamps throughout the decades, as well as demonstrates the process of stamp production through guest-interactive activities and exhibits. The main collection is the Straits Settlements Collection, displaying stamps and other postal archival material as early as 1854. Other exhibits include the importance of stamp collecting, the secrets behind folded letters and stamp designs, 18th century philatelic rarities, and a Heritage Room providing insight into lifestyles past.
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