SPM Website

View some of the past exhibitions held at SPM.

Since ancient times, herbs and spices have been valued for their aromatic qualities and medicinal benefits. Once worth their weight in gold, some of the most highly-prized herbs and spices, like nutmeg, were grown only in Southeast Asia. Unravel the fascinating history of herbs and spices in Southeast Asia. Find out the important role Singapore played in the spice trade and which parts of the island used to be spice plantations.


	Find out how the ten ASEAN countries share similar cultures despite their ethnic differences. These include rice cultivation and consumption, betel-nut chewing, and strong Indian influences in architecture, religion, literature and art.

Spring Flowers and Autumn Moon explores the origin and practices of Chinese festivals, through local and international stamps. Posting couplets at doors, paper cuttings on windows, setting off firecrackers, eating bamboo leaf wrapped rice dumplings and viewing the Moon Goddess during mid autumn - most of these customs originated from historical narratives and others are influenced by the seasons which play a major role in determining the way of life of the highly agricultural society in early China.


	Singapore Philatelic Museum launches "An Nyeong Ha Seyo Korea!" exhibition for children to discover Korea through stamps. Featuring the museum’s collection of Korean stamps, authentic objects from Korea, hands- on exhibits, pictures, and narratives, the exhibition introduces the heritage and culture of Korea to children.


	The exhibition traced the origins of traditional Christmas favourites such as turkey and ham, Christmas pudding, and local Eurasian fare through a showcase of beautiful Christmas stamps.


	For the first time, artworks of commemorative stamps issued in Singapore on its National Days dating from 1960 to 2007 from self-governance to modern republic period, were on public display. The exhibition serves as a visual chronicle of the country's development; mirroring the pressing issues of nation building in the early years to Singapore's current position of affluence and harmony.


	"Yesterday Once More: A Postcard Exhibition" showcased 550 picture postcards of Singapore dating from from 1897 to 1941. The picture postcards featured the buildings and streets, social events and lifestyles in Singapore, which may no longer exist or have changed over time. The postcards were donated by avid philatelist Professor Cheah Jin Seng, to the Singapore Philatelic Museum.

Inspired from the "Undersea World" stamp issue released in March 2006, this exhibition presents information on four sea mammals, and suggests simple things humans can do to protect the mammals and their natural environment. Through the use of exhibition guides, parents can explain information, impart values to the children, and facilitate the acquisition of analysis and reasoning skills. The exhibition is targetted for five to eight year-olds.


	2006 is the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Dog. The exhibition brings together an international collection of stamps and philatelic materials to explore the origins of the dog from ancient civilisation to modern day working dogs, and how various breeds evolved over time. A special section of the exhibition focuses on the common characteristics of people born under the Dog zodiac sign.


	The exhibition marks the 60th Anniversary of the End of World War II in the Asia Pacific. Through interesting letters, covers (envelopes), stamps, audio-visual interviews and documentaries, the exhibition takes a peek into the emotions of the Prisoners-of-War and civilians, their lives and living conditions after the end of World War II.


	Find out about the origins of Christmas celebrations, legend of Santa Claus, and the tradition of sending Christmas cards and Christmas stamps. You will have a better understanding and appreciation of the true meaning of Christmas.


	Find out about the history, people, economy and culture of Vatican City through stamps.



	Discover Singapore's changing skyline over the years from colonial days till today through rare picture postcards and visuals of the Singapore Waterfront, Raffles Place, The Esplanade, shophouses, high-rise buildings.



	The Singapore Philatelic Museum presents The Fairy Tale World of Hans Christian Andersen exhibition, as part of Singapore's celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the renowned writer. From The Ugly Duckling to The Emperor's New Clothes, HC Andersen's stories have touched the lives of children and adults the world over. This exhibition will feature the life and literary works of the Danish writer through local and international stamps.



	Held in conjunction with the 117th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Singapore, this exhibition traces the beginnings of stamps in the history of the modern Olympics, and how Olympic stamps issued by countries all over the world have become instruments to spread and develop the Olympic spirit. A highlight of the exhibition is a collection of rare Olympic philatelic items on loan from the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.


	2005 is the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Rooster or Chicken. This exhibition brings together stamps from all around the world to explore the past and present roles of chickens in world history and culture.


	In the digital age, should letters continue to be written and sent via 'snail mail'? Is comunication all about convenience and speed? Visit the Gift of A Letter exhibition, as we revisit the romance of letter writing and explore the role of letters in out lives.


	Take a peak into the amazing world of coffee and tea; a unique genre that is synonymous with contemporary lifestyle. An elucidating collection of postage stamps and philatelic materials will get you psyched up to understand coffee and tea as a living culture that has influenced history, mythology, religion, ritual, medicine, trade, politics and social etiquette.


	To commemorate the fall of Singapore to Japanese power during World War II on 15 February 1942, the Singapore Philatelic Museum has put up an exhibition to showcase stamps, stationery, and other philatelic items pertaining to that significant event.


	This exhibition features artistamps inspired by the personal correspondence and experience of nine local artists, designers and illustrators: Elsie Koh, Eric Kong, Sandra Kong, Lee Huei Hoon, Connie Pamg, Tanya De Rozario, Sun Yu-Li, Sun I-Yu and Andy Yang.


	Discover the milestones of Singapore's development into an aviation hub. You will see early experimental flight covers, first flight covers from Europe to Singapore since the early 1900s, first internal flight covers in 1937, and first flight covers commemorating SIA's launch of new routes in this exhibition.


	This thematic stamp exhibition commemorates the Zodiac Year of the Monkey. On display are 230 stamps from around the world - the stamps depict different species of monkeys, monkeys featured in myths, movies and art, as well as famous people born under the monkey zodiac sign.


	For the first time, from 1 May to 30 November 2003, the life and contributions of Singapore's first elected president, Mr Ong Teng Cheong (1936-2002) will be showcased through his personal collection of philatelic material and other collateral at the Singapore Philatelic Museum.


	The opening of Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay is a momentous occasion in the history of the performing arts in Singapore. As a celebration of this landmark event, this exhibition reflects on some of the milestones of Singapore theatre through stamps, philatelic materials and artefacts.


	This exhibition features the museum's recent acquisition of Straits Settlements materials from the Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V and King George VI eras. Local philatelists' collections on Queen Elizabeth II Coronation stamps of Singapore and the Malayan states, and 19th - 20th century monarchies in Asia are also on display.


	22 cents is the postage cost for local mail. For 22 cents, you get a piece of paper that is coated with gum on one side and applied with colours, lines, symbols and icons on the other. The combination has been described by some as 'miniature pieces of art' and by others as 'ambassadors that communicate ideas'.


	In the Royal Mail of Siam exhibition, the Thai way of life and its people are reflected through a selection of contemporary stamps which also provides a platform for appreciating the critical role played by King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn.


	Buddhism on Stamps Exhibition was held at the Singapore Philatelic Museum from 16 July to 19 November 2000. The exhibition showcased Venerable Hai Yuen's philatelic collection and artefacts loaned from several collectors.


	This exhibition was organised in conjunction with the 'Heritage Festival 2002 - Colour me 60s' to commemorate those amazing 10 years. This exhibition combines visuals, prose and philatelic materials of prominent events and personalities of the 60s to capture events, trends and thoughts of the decade around the world, particularly in Singapore.


	Youth and school group entries from the Singapore National Stamp Exhibition 2002 (Singpex '02) were on display at the museum from 26 July to 1 September 2002. These entries combine prose with visuals and stamps to explore topics from Nature, History to Science, among others.