Why Singapore? Because I have received this beautiful cover from Francis :)
I discovered many interesting things such as that Non Denominated stamps were issued to ensure that some types of Postage stamps retained their Postal Value even if the rates were increased. In many countries it is now known as No Value Indicator (NVI ) postage. The first Singapore NVIs were issued in 1995; almost every issue had a "For Local Addresses Only" stamp. Later, in 2004, a new NVI denomination was released: "2nd Local". Since then almost all issues have "1st Local" stamps, and some have "2nd Local" stamps, rather than the previous "For Local Addresses Only". 1st Local stamps are valid for standard letters within Singapore up to 20 g, and 2nd Local stamps are valid for standard letters within Singapore up to 40 g.
In this issue we can see two beautiful flowers:
Domestic 1st Class - Frangipani (Plumeria rubra) : native to Mexico, Central America and Venezuela, produces flowers ranging from yellow to pink depending on species or cultivator. It is related to the Oleander and both possess poisonous, milky sap. Contact with the sap may irritate eyes and skin. They are most fragrant at night.
Domestic 2nd Class - Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) : is believed native to Sulawesi and Jawa, Indonesia. The plant is now grown in many tropical locations both for the extravagant 'flowers' and for food. In Malaysia, it is called kantan. The peduncles (stems) of the inflorescence are chopped and added to laksa pots (various curries or soups made with rice noodles).
Here come the bird stamps (only minimal information) :
5 c Crimson sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja) - this bird is only 10cm long, but the male´s bright red plumage and electric blue markings make it instantly noticeable, no matter how small it may be. Sunbirds are similar to hummingbirdsin that they feed on insects and nectar, and their small size and impressive speed can turn them into a colorful blur.
20 c Yellow-rumped flycatcher (Ficedula zanthopygia) is a species of flycatcher found in Asia, about 13cm long. It breeds in eastern Asia including parts of Mongolia, Transbaikal, southern China, Korea and western Japan. They winter in parts of the Malay Peninsula and South Asia.
30 c Blue-throated bee-eater (Merops viridis) Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. It is recognisable by its bright blue throat, chestnut head and upper back, black eye stripe and bluish tail feathers. Measures about 30cm in length, including the tail. In flight, its wings form a distinctive triangular shape. Bee-eaters are primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects, including bees, ants, moths and dragonflies.45 c Yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava) is a small graceful yellow and green bird, with a medium-length tail, and slender black legs. It spends much time walking or running on the ground. As its name implies, it wags its tail from time to time.
50 c Stork-billed kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis) are the largest Kingfishers found in Singapore. But they are rarely sighted because they are shy and less noisy than other Kingfishers. They eat mainly fishes, using their large heavy bills to good effect to catch and kill their prey. From their perch, usually about 2-4 m above the water, they will plunge into the water. They also eat crabs, insects, frogs, mice, lizards, birds and their eggs.
55 c Blue-crowned hanging parrot (Loriculus galgulus) are found in Southern Thailand, Western Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, and Borneo. They inhabit forests, forest edges, secondary growth, marshland, bamboo thickets, mangroves, coconut groves, gardens, and orchards. They mainly eat fruits, nectar, buds, flowers, seeds, and occasionally small insects.
55 c Blue-crowned hanging parrot (Loriculus galgulus) are found in Southern Thailand, Western Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, and Borneo. They inhabit forests, forest edges, secondary growth, marshland, bamboo thickets, mangroves, coconut groves, gardens, and orchards. They mainly eat fruits, nectar, buds, flowers, seeds, and occasionally small insects.
65 c Common goldenback (Dinopium javanese) is a species of bird in the Picidae (woodpeaker) family. It is commonly found in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines. It is a strikingly colourful bird with brown wings (as you can see from the picture on below). The woodpecker has a crest of either red or black, depending on the sex.
80 c Jamnu fruit dove (Ptilinopus jambu) It is a resident breeding species in southern Asia. The Jambu Fruit-dove inhabits mangrove swamps and lowland rainforests up to 1,500 m and is also found in second growth woodland. The male holds a breeding territory, advertised by raising its wings, bobbing its body and cooing. It will defend its territory with a quick peck if the territorial display fails. The female builds a flimsy nest of twigs, roots and grasses, which are collected by her mate, in a tree and lays one or sometimes two white eggs which are incubated for about 20 days to hatching, with a further 12 or more days to fledging.
And now the high value stamps:
1.10 $ Large indian civet (Viverra zibetha) they are nocturnal and solitary beings. In essence, they are terrestrial, yet they could climb as well. One marks his own place via the gland secretions, and this is not just for "territorial purposes", but as a simple means of identification of the place. It produces a substance called 'civet', which is used commercially in perfumes.
2.00 $ Banded leaf monkey (Prebytis femoralis) Arboreal and gregarious, travelling in troops, usually move in an extended line. Each monkey follows the same route through the tree tops. It can leap very well. It is an endangered species. Eats fruits and fresh leaves.
5.00 $ Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica) Most pangolins are less than one metre long. The Giant pangolin is about one and a half metres long. A pangolin's back and tail are covered with large, overlapping, horny scales. Its belly and chest are covered with soft hair. It has small eyes and hidden ears. Some kinds of pangolin have a tail that is longer than the body.
10.00 $ Cream-coloured giant squirrel (Ratufa affinis) is considered by some to be the most attractive of all the larger squirrels in Southeast Asia. With a head-body length of up to 38 cm, and a tail reaching 44 cm it is only eclipsed in size by the Black Giant Squirrel.
Since definitive stamps are stamps produced to meet normal postal demand, therefore after a period of time, depending on number of stamps issued and customers' demand, the reprint marking will be revised to 2007B (1st reprint), 2007C (2nd reprint), 2007D (3rd reprint), etc. The reprint marking is clearly indicated on the stamp and the stamp sheet.
Some links that I find interesting to share:
Interesting website with sounds and short movies http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/
Birds from Singapore http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/birds/birds.htm
Wildlife SIngapore http://www.wildsingapore.per.sg/
Birds on postage stamps http://www.bird-stamps.org/
Title: FLORA & FAUNA
Date of Issue: 6 June 2007
Country: Singapore
Denominations: 1st Local, 2nd Local, 5,20,30,45,50,55,65,80 cents, $1.10, $2, $5 and $10
