It’s Phil-a-telic Fun! at Deadpoet’s Cave

Say it with me: Phil-ah-telly. Or as it is spelt: Philately. What is it exactly? That’s what I discovered at the Singapore Philatelic Museum during their Open House last Saturday. It was held in conjunction with Explore Singapore!

Click on the photos, then ‘All Sizes’ if you need a close up view.

Obviously, I wasn’t the only one at the museum. =)

Strangely enough, there was reading material at this museum. I spotted this lady reading to her daughter (or niece - I wasn’t sure) at the exhibit about dogs, which coincides with the prevailing Zodiac. But this place was neither library nor zoo.

At an exhibit titled “The End… The Beginning”, I spotted these. Notice anything unusual? Click the photo and look at the red cards. These were in a room which covered the period of the Japanese Occupation, through to Self-Governance, Merger and finally Independence.

I learnt that Cinderella was not just a damsel who lost a glass slipper. In the philatelic world, a ‘Cinderella’ is purely decorative. But some of the exhibits, as you can see, aren’t merely decorative. You’ve got to open doors and windows to find out more.

Some of the exhibits even turn towards you and talk, as this young lady noticed.

I joined a short tour, led by museum docent, Mr Jimmy Yap. He asked whether there were any philatelists in the crowd. But of course!

Mr Yap lives, breathes and eats philately. (Okay, maybe he doesn’t eat philately. That would be strange.) He certainly knew how to hold a crowd captive. Children and adults responded enthusiastically to his questions. He regaled us with stories of old, and we found out interesting but little known facts such as the difference between ‘definitive’ and ‘commemorative’. We also discovered how they used to sell star fruit juice. Yup, it was served out of a wooden container just like the one he stood next to.

Just before I left, I saw some familiar sights. I’m old enough to remember the one in the middle from 1982, but not old enough to remember the yellow version.

I’m sure you’ve guessed what philately is all about by now.

As Jimmy said, “Every stamp tells a story.” And this is what the Singapore Philatelic Museum is to me: a place of stories told through the legacy of stamps!

Cross-posted at yesterday.sg.

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