A rare joint issue

Not very often do we hear of joint stamp issues. When three countries get together and have a joint issue, it is indeed a rare happening. 

Yesterday, 14 August, saw three countries joining together and release three stamps to mark a significant event. The countries were Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. The occasion was to commemorate 50 years of bilateral relations between Australia and Singapore, and Singapore and New Zealand. It coincides with the 50th anniversary of Singapore and the World Stamp Exhibition 2015 being held in Singapore.

The three stamps depict the parliament houses of the three countries. All three countries have had their parliament buildings either built fresh or relocated. The theme has been selected to symbolise the political democracy through which all three countries are governed. 

Singapore gained independence from Britain in 1963, uniting with other former British territories in the region to become part of the Federation of Malaysia. Singapore became an independent nation in its own right on 9 August 1965.

Parliament House, Australia was opened on 9 May 1988 and is strategically located on Canberra’s Capital Hill. This is the third to accommodate the federal government. The building was designed by New York-based Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp, following an international design competition. 

It is built almost entirely from Australian materials.  Notable design elements include the forecourt mosaic, based on Aboriginal artist Michael Nelson Jagamara’s painting Possum and Wallaby Dreaming, and the 81-metre-high stainless-steel flag-mast that towers above the building. The flag-mast which stands out from a distance, can be prominently seen in the stamp.

The New Zealand Parliament marks the 150th anniversary of its relocation from Auckland to Wellington this year. The current Parliament House replaced the earlier one which was destroyed by a fire in 907. Only half of the planned building was built resulting in lack of space. The result was the ‘Beehive’ adjoining the earlier building, which was designed by British architect Basil Spence in 1964 and opened in 1979. 

The present Parliament House, Singapore was opened on 4 October 1999. It was built to accommodate the increasing number of members of parliament. The Public Works Department designed the new seat of government, which comprises three “blocks” integrated with a restored 19th-century building. Parliament House references the built heritage of the area, while its rooftop prism is a modern interpretation of a traditional dome and its extensive use of columns a nod to classical architecture and the authority this symbolises.

Designed by Sonia Young of the Australia Post Design Studio, the stamp issue comprises one domestic base-rate (70c) and two international rate ($1.85 and $1.95) stamps.

A mini-sheet, first day cover, joint issue first day cover, stamp pack, joint issue stamp pack and a set of three maxi-cards have been issued to mark the release.

Singapore 2015

One of the world’s most high profile philatelic events – the Singapore 2015 World Stamp Exhibition (Singapore 2015) is held every 10 years under the full support and patronage of the Federation lnternationale de Philatelie (FIP) and under the auspices of the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (FIAP). 

This year it is being held as part of the celebrations of Singapore’s 50th year of independence.

The exhibition is held from 14 to 19 August offering visitors a rare visual treat of over 2,000 frames of philately items from 450 exhibitors from 66 countries. 

Key highlights include a Court of Honour with award-winning collections from prominent local and international collectors, exhibits showing the development of Singapore’s postal history and stamps over more than 180 years.