World Stamp Exhibition 2015 – 2nd issue of stamps by SINGAPORE

Details:

The Association of Singapore Philatelists (ASP), with effort to commemorate Singapore’s golden jubilee in 2015, successfully bidded for the hosting rights of World Stamp Exhibition in 2015, with support of the Federation Internationale de Philatelie (FIP – International Federation of Philately). With the theme “Stamps of all Ages”, 4 sets of past issues, with designs from the “1955: Queen Elizabeth II Definitives”, “1962-1966: Fishes, Orchids and Birds Definitives” (1st series), “1960: National Day” and “1970: Osaka Expo” are selected to revive the memories of collectors, as well as to showcase the developments that Singapore had achieved through the years.

This year Singapore post showcases the second series of the stamps. Two designs from the “1970: Osaka Expo” are chosen, featuring the guppy and the seashell.

The guppy (Poecilia reticulate) is a small colourful species of freshwater tropical fish which makes it popular as an aquarium fish. Guppies often display elaborated patterns on their tail fin, with the male being generally more brightly coloured; female guppies however are larger in size and have a shorter tail as compared to the males. The guppy is an omnivorous animal and eats a wide range of organic matter that is available in the water. Guppies primarily feed on algae and small invertebrates. They also feed on particles of food from the water that has been left behind by a larger fish. Guppies have a wide range of salinity and thus are able to survive in both salt and freshwater. They are usually found in large groups in the wild.

A seashell, also known as shell, is a hard, protective outer layer created by an animal that lives in the sea. The shells are empty because the animal has died and the soft parts have been eaten by another animal or have rotted out. The term seashell usually refers to the exoskeleton of an invertebrate; it can also be used to mean the shell of various marine invertebrates. Most shells that are found on beaches are the shells of marine mollusks, generally because these shells endure better than other seashells. Shells come in many shape and size and they are commonly collected by beachcombers. Apart from collection, seashells have been used by humans for many different purposes throughout history and pre-history. They have been used as a medium of exchange, tools, religious objects, musical instruments, jewelleries and for art and horticulture.