2008 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix

First Day Cover affixed with stamps

Sheet of 10 stamps (S$2.00)

Singapore will host the world's first Formula 1 night race on 28 September 2008. The inaugural 2008 F1 Singapore Grand Prix will roar into town on a street circuit of public roads around the Marina Bay area - right at the heart of Singapore. Set against the backdrop of downtown Singapore, spectators will get a view of the garden city as the circuit winds past historic landmarks such as City Hall and modern buildings along the Marina Bay, such as the Esplanade.

The proposed 5.067km long circuit offers multiple overtaking opportunities, fast and challenging turns and gruelling sections that will test the capabilities of the F1 drivers. The Race is most unique in a way that it enjoys so many firsts - it is the first ever Formula 1 night race. Asia's first Formula 1 street race and Singapore's first Formula 1 race. In addition, it is one of three circuits in the 2008 Formula 1 calendar that turns anti-clockwise. This set of stamps commemorates this significant milestone in Singapore's sporting history.

Date of issue: 26 September 2008
Denominations: Se-tenant strip of two stamps, $2 x 2 designs
Stamp Size: 48mm x 30mm
Perforation: 13
Paper: Unwatermarked
Printing Process: Offset-Lithography
Printer: Secura Singapore Pte Ltd
Sheet Content: 10 stamps per sheet
Designer: Alynn Teo

First day cover affixed with stamps: S$4.90
Sheet of 10 stamps: S$20.00

Its amazing how popular the Formula 1 event is in Singapore that the tickets were sold out and less than half the day, the first day cover is almost gone. Thank goodness I got the stamps before it went racing away... =)

Beijing Olympics 2008 (India)

Received the FDC from Arun from http://www.myphilately.com

Date of issue: 8 August 2008
Denominations: 500p, 500p, 1500p, 1500p
Stamps Printed: 0.8 Million each
Printing Process: Photogravure
Printer: Indian Security Press, Nasik
Designer: Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation: Alka Sharma

Envelope Cover from Belgium

Received a cover from Holger at http://www.myphilately.com/ from Belgium with two of the stamps of the current Beijing Olympics 2008.

Beijing Olympics 2008

Olympic Games conference site hall

Stamp size (mm): 60mm x30mm
Perforation: 12x11.5
Printing process: Gravure

Olympic Games conference site hall

Sheet size (mm): 140mm x 85mm
Stamp size (mm): Length of side 40mm
Perforation: 13
Printing process: Gravure

The webpage below shows the postage stamps of New Zealand, Vietnam, USA, Indonesia, Korea, Peru, Vanuatu, Ghana and Malta in commemoration of the 29th Olympics in Beijing 2008. A couple of stamps in the web, I could not make out of them.

http://tech-fall.com/OlympicsBeijing/OlympicStamps.html

Local Delights

Sheet of 16 Stamps (65¢)

Sheet of 16 Stamps (1st Local)

Set of two Pre-cancelled Commemorative Covers affixed with Singapore and Macao stamps
Minature Sheet with two $2 stamps

Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with a miniature sheet having two $2 stamps: S$4.90

Singapore is a food paradise offering a myriad of delectable choices. It is also one of the attractions that entice tourists when they visit Singapore as its food relects the very best of this multicultural island.

In this joint stamp issue with Macao, a delightful array of local dishes from both Singapore and Macao is featured. Well known dishes from Singapore namely Chicken Rice, Laksa, Roti Prata and Satay, together with famous dishes from Macao Crispy Fried Chicken, Yangzhou Fried Rice, Meat Stew "Alentejana" style, and Grilled Codfish Slices - are shown in this delicious set of stamps. In addition, the famous "Chilli Crab" and Macao's popular "Claypot Rice" are featured in the minature sheet.

Date of issue: 4 July 2008
Denominations: 1st Local and 65¢ (each value in se-tenant block of 4 designs)
Stamp Size: 40mm x 30mm (1st Local & 65¢)
Minature Sheet with two $2 stamps: 140mm x 90mm
Perforation: 13¼ x 14
Paper: Unwatermarked
Printing Process: Fine Screen Offset-Lithography with Spot UV
Printer: Joh Enschede Security Printers
Sheet Content: 16
Designers: Thomas Au Man Hou and Carlos Goncalves
Photographer (Singapore Food): Aun Koh

Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with stamps: S$4.55
Pre-cancelled First Day Cover affixed with a miniature sheet having two $2 stamps: S$4.90
Set of two Pre-cancelled Commemorative Covers affixed with Singapore and Macao stamps: S$9.00

Year of the Rat 2008

50 gummed-back stamps sheet (1st Local) 10 Self-adhesive stamps (1st Local)Collector's Sheet Offset Lithography with high reflective index transparent Hologram with morphing effect ($5 , $10 value)First Day Cover affixed with stamps

The highly intelligent, charming and enterprising Rat starts off a new cycle on the Chinese zodiac calendar. Three graphic ullustrations of this lively Rat ushering in the new Lunar Year 2008 are shown in this set of stamps.

There are a total of 12 animal signs in the Chinese calendar based on five ccles of 12 years each, with each cycle tempered by one of the five Chinese elements of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. According to Chinese astrology and belief, the traits of these zodiac animals not only shape the personalities of perople born under the respective sign but also their lives and the events of the year.

The year 2008, being the year of the Earth Rat, those born in this year are said to have an added sense if stability and desire to secure a good future for themselves and their families.
Apart from the Rat, the other Chinese zodiac animals are: The ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

Famous personalities born in the year of the Rat include William Shakespeare, Mozart, George Washington and Truman Capote.

Date of issue: 18 January 2008
Denominations: 1st Local, 65¢, $1.10
Stamp Size: 40mm x 30mm (1st Local & 65¢); 35mm x 44.8mm ($1.10)
Perforation: 14 x 14 (1st Local & 65¢); 14.25 x 14.25 ($1.10)
Paper: Unwatermarked
Printing Process: Offset-Lithography (Stamps); Offset Lithography with high reflective index transparent Hologram with morphing effect (Collector's Sheet)
Printer: Southern Colour Print (Stamps); Cartor Security Printing (Collector's Sheet)
Sheet Content: 50 gummed-back stamps per sheet (1st Local, 65¢, $1.10); 10 Self-adhesive stamps per sheet (1st Local)
Designer: Leo Teck Chong

First Day Cover affixed with stamps: S$2.75
Collector's Sheet: S$16.80