 Postage stamps were first introduced into Singapore in the year 1854. The stamps used were those of the east India Company and these remained in use until 1st September 1867, when Indian stamps overprinted with a crown and surcharged in cents were issued to concide with the Straits Settlements assuming her own postal affairs. The stamps in denominations of 1½, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 32 cents were overprinted in London by De La Rue.
Between 1854 and 1867, a total of over 75 Indian stamps were used in the Straits Settlements. This number includes stamps of the same denomination and design but from different printings or printed on different shades of paper or watermarked paper. The stamps were inscribed in annas and pies, and sold to the public in exchange for dollars at the exchange rate of 224 rupees, 8 annas, 6.4 pie per $100.
These same stamps were currently in use in India at the same time, and the philatelist distinguishes those used in India and those in the Straits Settlements by their postmarks. At times the distinction may be practically impossible, as some postmarks used were common to both the territories. In such instances, the stamps would have to remain intact on the correspondences in order to confirm their origin. The "diamond dots" cancellation is a postmark used for both territories.
Other postmarks used which are distinguishable are the octagonal B107, B147 and B172 cancellations, for Malacca, Penang and Singapore respectively. There are two types of the B172 cancellations distinguishable by the configuration of the figure "1". These cancellations remained in use well after the issue of the Straits Settlements stamps. Between 1858 and 1866, two other types of cancellations were used. These are circular date-stamps inscribed "SINGAPORE", one with and the other without the date in the centre.
 The first post office premises began modestly in a room at the front of John Argyle Maxwell's house (core of the present parliament House) sharing with the master Attendant's Marine Office and the Clerk to the Registrar of Imports and Exports. By 1854, with the rapid expansion of trade and consequently the postal services, a proper post office was established near the Town Hall by the riverside.
Stamps of India used in the Straits Settlements are rare, particularly when the stamps are on their original cover. Those used in Malacca are comparatively scarcer compared to those used in Penang or Singapore. Stamps on cover fetch many times the value of stamps off cover. Condition of the cover and clarity of the postmarks can affect the price of the cover considerably.
These stamps, particularly on cover, are seldom offered for sale. However, collectors do come across them occasionally at international auction sales or at specialised stamp dealer's shops in London. In Singapore and Malaysia, it is very rare that one comes across such stamps or covers, even in very old stamp collections.
*Singpex 71 National Stamp Exhibition was the third stamp exhibition, the first was held in 1969, and a joint effort by the Postal Services Department, the Singapore Stamp Club and the Singapore Philatelic Society.
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