SINGAPORE - The first stamps ever issued in Singapore, dating back to 1867, will be on display at a new exhibition that opens on Friday (Sept 1).

The Singapore Philatelic Museum (SPM) and Association of Singapore Philatelists have organised an exhibition which commemorates the 150th anniversary of the first postage stamps issued by the Singapore post office.

The highlight of the exhibition is an envelope cover that used provisional stamps on their first day of release - Sept 1, 1867.

While Singapore previously used Indian stamps while under British Indian rule, it became a Crown colony in April 1867 and thus took charge of its own postal affairs.

As a result, the post office issued new stamps that bore values denoted in Straits currency instead of Indian currency.

Aside from the envelope bearing the oldest Singapore stamps, more than 2,000 artefacts are featured, including postal stationery, revenue stamps, and postcards.

Ms Tresnawati Prihadi, general manager of SPM said: "This exhibition offers an important insight into Singapore's postal history.

"We hope that visitors will gain useful insights into how the postal system supported the growth and development of Singapore's economic and social life in the 19th century."

As part of the celebration, SingPost has also launched a new limited edition commemorative stamp issue on the same theme - including an image of Queen Victoria - which is now sold at post offices or online at shop.singpost.com.

The exhibition is held at the Singapore Philatelic Museum and is open daily during the exhibition period, from 10am to 7pm. Admission is free for Singaporeans and permanent residents.