On 7 July 2010, Singapore Post issued the Seashore – Starfish postage prepaid envelope. These envelopes can be purchased at post offices and use them to send letters of up to 20 g to local addresses. These prepaid envelopes can be purchased either in a bundle of 10 for S$3.50 or for 40 cents each, a la carte. Designed by Leo Teck Chong, these envelopes provide consumers with added convenience, especially by saving time on affixing a postage stamp.

This is a continuation of the Seashore theme, where a postage prepaid envelope from the same series on Seashells was issued previously. Some time ago, we also featured the Gardens of Singapore prepaid envelope (1994) which is available in two different sizes, DL and C6. It would definitely be great if postage prepaid envelopes were still sold in different dimensions to cater to different needs.

It’s the time of the year for the annual Singapore Food Festival held at Clarke Quay. Singapore Post will be setting up a booth there for the third year running. Although there is no stamp issue to commemorate the Festival, there are two different cachets offered, one for each weekend: 16 to 18 July and 23 to 25 July. A number of philatelic products will be sold there, including presentation packs and gifts.

The boring wavy lines that print themselves on envelopes will take a short break. From 19 July 2010 to 30 September 2010, both dates inclusive, Singapore Post will be replacing these wavy lines with Youth Olympic Games slogan messages. This would apply to CFC machines C1 to C3 and FC machine C4.

Sorting mail into these four machines would be a totally random process, so it would require lots of luck. To make it more challenging, machines C1 to C3 will have two different slogans each, intensifying the randomness, making it harder to obtain a complete collection.

As far as I am aware, a manual replacement of the slogan die is needed to switch between the two designs. So, here’s a tip: Drop your envelopes into the post box on different dates, in different locations, to maximise your chances.

That does not mean that there are seven designs in total. The only slogan design for C4 is the same as one of the designs for C1. With the implementation of the five-day week mail collection, you can safely drop your envelope into the post box from this evening!

The entire lyrics of the Singapore national anthem are printed on the back of the $1000 Portrait series banknote in microprint. For all other denominations, only the words Majulah Singapura is used.

‘Majulah Singapura’ is Singapore’s national anthem. Written in the official language of Malay, it is translated as ‘Onward Singapore’. The national anthem of Singapore was composed in 1958 by Zubir Said, initially as a theme song for official functions of the City Council of Singapore. Later in 1959, this song was selected as the island’s anthem upon attaining self-government.

Lyrics of the Singapore National Anthem

Mari kita rakyat Singapura
Sama-sama menuju bahagia
Cita-cita kita yang mulia
Berjaya Singapura

Marilah kita bersatu
Dengan semangat yang baru
Semua kita berseru
Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura

The Flora and Fauna definitive stamps were first issued in 2007, consisting of 14 denominations ranging from 5 cents to $10.

Last year, another two 1st Local stamps featuring the Pigeon Orchid and the Blue Pea Vine were introduced.Today, Singapore Post released two new stamps featuring the Simpoh Air and the Singapore Rhododendron. These flowers of these two plants typically last for only a day.

The Simpoh Air (Dillenia suffruticosa) is commonly found near forest edges, eroded soil and swampy areas. It is characterised by its large yellow flowers and big leaves. Birds are easily attracted to the thin layer of vibrant red flesh surrounding the seeds, allowing quick dispersion of the seeds.

The Singapore Rhododendron (Melastoma malabathricum) has beautiful flowers with five petals in pink to dark purple, opening after sunrise and closing later in the day. This plant is the home to caterpillars of butterfly species such as the Common Sailor (Neptis hylas) and the Grey Count (Tanaecia lepidea).

Graphics: Singapore Post
Designer: Wong Wui Kong

The Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) (top) has a distinctive black band across its eyes from the bill to the back of its head. Characterised by yellow-and-black feathers, this bird gives a loud call. Fruits and insects form its main diet.