Stamps not only prepay postal charges, they are also miniature pieces of art and history. The history of Singapore's postal services is as old as the country. For a while mail was posted without stamps. It was only in 1854 that stamps of the East India Company were first introduced in Singapore, then part of the Straits Settlements.

This stamp issue commemorates a significant milestone in Singapore's postal history as it marks the 150th anniversary of that first use of stamps in Singapore. Using a stamp-on-stamp design concept, all the stamps featured were carefully chosen for their significance in Singapore's stamp journey through the years and appropriately placed against scenes of post offices of the corresponding period.

The $2 stamp features the stamps during Queen Victoria's reign. This is followed by the $1 stamp, which traces the stamps issued during the reigns of King Edward VII, King George V and King George VI till just before World War II.

The 60¢ stamp in this issue depicts stamps of a traumatic time in Singapore's history - from the Japanese Occupation to the British Military Administration and finally the issue of the first Singapore stamps in 1948. The 1st Local stamp reflects the celebratory and confident mood of a promising young nation, with the Coronation stamp of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, our first National Day stamp and finally one of independent Singapore.

In tracing this stamp journey, we have also covered the history of Singapore over the last 150 years. As Singapore continues with its journey, facing the new challenges of the millennium, stamps will be released as markers of the journey.