Singapore Philatelic Museum

Singapore Philatelic Museum

The Singapore Philatelic Museum is located on Coleman Street and opened in 1995. It is a museum that introduces the postal history and stamps of Singapore, and is the first modern philatelic museum in Southeast Asia. The building housing the museum is a century-old two-story colonial structure that was once part of the Anglo-Chinese School.

In front of the entrance to the Singapore Philatelic Museum stands a red postbox, a remnant from the colonial era, which serves as the museum’s iconic symbol. Inside, the museum houses millions of stamps and hundreds of philatelic items dating from 1980 to the present, making it a treasure trove of culture, art, and technology. On the first floor, visitors can first learn about the development of Singapore’s stamps, as well as the evolution of mailboxes through different periods. The second floor showcases stamps, tracing the historical progression of Singapore’s philately through collections from various eras.

The museum features five permanent exhibition rooms: the Orange Room, which houses the world’s first postage stamp; the Purple Room, which introduces stamp production; the Green Room, which features profiles of world-renowned stamp collectors; the Rare Room, which collects rare stamps; and the Heritage Room, which tells the stories of the diverse cultural festivals, attire, and musical instruments of Singapore’s immigrant communities.

In addition to the permanent exhibitions, various themed exhibitions are held throughout the year. There is also a philatelic shop, a favorite spot among stamp enthusiasts, where one can find desired stamps.

Singapore Philatelic Museum

Must-visit reason: The most modern philatelic museum in Southeast Asia