Monday, 4 February 2019

Happy Chinese New Year 新年快乐


Monday, 24 December 2018

Wednesday, 8 August 2018

Wednesday, 18 October 2017

Happy Deepavali!

Happy Deepavali!
தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்!
屠妖节快乐!

Friday, 13 January 2017

Pos Malaysia pays homage to Chinese painting of a ‘serama’

Pos Malaysia pays homage to Chinese painting of a ‘serama’



Stamp of approval: Dr Wong showing the first-day cover issued by Pos Malaysia which features his painting.

For the first time ever, Chinese painting will grace the first-day cover issued by Pos Malaysia in celebration of the Chinese New Year.

The picture of an ayam serama, a local breed of ornamental cockerel, perching proudly atop a rocky cliff is the masterpiece of Dr Wong Kum Peng.

With its chest puffing out and feathered tail perking up, the bird holds its head high, crowing to usher in the Year of the Rooster.

“It is different from the type of fowl that Chinese artists normally paint. This miniature type, which is unique to Malaysia, struts in a ramrod-straight posture for people to admire,” Dr Wong, 64, said.

The invitation from Pos Malaysia to produce a Chinese painting came six months after Dr Wong’s Chinese calligraphy was featured alongside a khat (Islamic calligraphy) artwork and a Tamil script for philatelic products themed nilai murni (noble values) in June.

Dr Wong, the past president of the Calligraphy Society of Malaysia, insisted that his artwork must appear in its entirety without any alteration.

It is simply because a piece of Chinese painting is the result of the deliberate placement of various elements, including the painting (subject), the calligraphy (title and date) and the seal (name of artist). Even the blank space is part of the composition.

Pos Malaysia agreed, and did not crop anything out of the frame, much to the delight of Dr Wong.

This painting has been designed into a folder, miniature sheets and octagon-shaped stamps. They are set to be released today together with other ayam serama stamps.

The cockerel painted by Dr Wong is light brown, with hints of shiny gold – an auspicious colour associated with success and wealth.

The Chinese calligraphy presented in vertical lines reads: “Golden rooster announces triumphant news. When it crows, the world brightens up.”

It leaves room for people to ponder over the message.

“A rooster’s crow is a wake-up call. With the arrival of a new year, it is time to draw up new resolutions instead of continuing to wallow in despondency and low spirits,” Dr Wong said.

This is not only an honour for the retired veterinarian to produce an artwork for the national postal organisation, but also a recognition of the Chinese culture, which is an essential part of Malaysia’s multi-ethnic society.

“Chinese painting is an elegant art form that epitomises the Oriental culture of subdued expressions. It showcases the techniques of the artist and reflects his inner world, values and outlook on life.

“Precise brush strokes and the alluring use of ink are combined to produce a graceful effect,” he said.

Dr Wong was pleased with the open-mindedness and inclusivity of Pos Malaysia in featuring the country’s diverse culture.

“Without communication and exchanges, a common understanding cannot be achieved.

“The different cultures in our country have to prosper together. I hope there will be more of such platforms to celebrate all forms of art,” he added.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Sunday, 7 August 2016

Stamp set to mark 50 years of Singapore's National Day Parade

SingPost to issue stamp set to mark 50 years of Singapore's National Day Parade



A set of stamps to commemorate 50 years of Singapore's National Day Parade (NDP) will be launched on Monday (Aug 8), SingPost said in a press release on Friday.

The set will comprise seven stamps, each featuring NDP highlights over the years.

These highlights include the 1970 NDP featuring Singapore's first flypast of the state flag, the 1976 NDP which was held for the first time at the newly completed National Stadium, the 2007 NDP at the Float@ Marina Bay, the first time a new venue was chosen and, lastly, the 2016 NDP which marks the first of the next 50 years of Singapore's growth and development, as well as the first National Day celebration back at the rebuilt National Stadium.

Each set of stamps comes in six denominations: 1st local, 2nd local, 60 cents, 70 cents, 90 cents and $1.30.

There is also a pre-cancelled first day cover at $5.20 that comes affixed with the complete set of stamps.

"While every stamp creation and dedication is special, these ones are extra special. We are excited to dedicate these classic stamps, and what better occasion to do it than at this year's National Day celebration," said Mr Woo Keng Leong, Chief Executive Officer, Postal Services, SingPost.

The stamp sets will go on sale from Aug 8 at all post offices and the Singapore Philatelic Museum. They may also be purchased online at www.stampdelight.com, or from the SingPost pop up store at HDB Hub Atrium on Aug 8 and 9, from 11am to 8pm.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Wednesday, 6 July 2016

Saturday, 30 April 2016

殖民、独立、领土纠纷……集邮看沙历史

殖民、独立、领土纠纷……集邮看沙历史

素有“风下之乡”美誉的沙巴,遭菲律宾组织入境掳人危机不断,近日更是闯入利吉丹岛(Pulau Ligitan)水域劫持船只,其历史渊源和国际关系,可以从集邮收藏窥知一二。



北婆罗洲1950年属于殖民地时期,邮票肖像为乔治六世。 (图:星洲日报)

邱宜伟:2岛曾引领土纠纷

炮台街马六甲邮票博物馆内的邱氏邮社业主邱宜伟接受《古城》社区报访问时表示,沙巴西巴丹岛及利吉丹岛水域曾经引起领土纠纷,惟最后海牙国际法庭裁决两岛主权归属大马。

他说,大马邮政公司更趁着配合“第二系列大马岛屿和度假海滩”首日封,在2003年6月28日以其胜诉官司的两大岛屿作为主题,地图绘画形式明确标出两岛在大马范围内的地理位置。

“沙巴在独立之前属于北婆罗洲殖民地,曾经使用不同图案的邮票,包括1894年各式风土文化及1950年的乔治六世肖像。其中纳闽在1892年以维多利亚女王为肖像的邮票,甚至包含英文、华文和爪夷文。”

邱宜伟指出,沙巴其后在1963年9月16日加入马来西亚联邦宣布独立,都有推出相关的首日封和邮票作为历史印记。先前通用的北婆罗洲邮票,也随之在1964年7月1日正式走入历史,被划除改为沙巴一词。

曾与新汶印泰发行首日封

此外,他表示,大马过去已经分别与新汶印泰联合发行首日封,展现国家之间的友好交情。

“东盟以外,大马邮政公司甚至曾经在2002年与中国联合发行珍稀花卉特种邮票纪念,并在2014年与香港邮政公司联合推出地道食品特别邮票。”

大马与东协6国联合发行的首日封和邮票

新加坡 2002年热带鸟类
汶莱 2007年独特海洋生物
印尼 2011年独立纪念碑、邮票、纸钞和山鸡
泰国 2015年海洋​​生物

(星洲日报‧古城)

Saturday, 9 January 2016

1971年10仙可卖1500元 稀有古币非一般价值

1971年10仙可卖1500元 稀有古币非一般价值



编号始于CR72的1令吉钞票可卖价达5000令吉。

你是否了解每日握在手上的钱币呢?除了钱币上显示的数目价值,它其实也可以有令人惊讶的价值,例如一枚1971年的10仙硬币,千万不要随手就丢掉!

“怡保钱币展”主办人周敬晃指出,我国在1971年面市的10仙硬币,目前在古玩界里可卖价达300至1500令吉!

他说,有关硬币叫价超高,因为它是我国历来数量最少的10仙硬币,估计少过3万枚。

他接受《南洋商报》专访时披露,我国拥有许多有价值的稀有马币,其有价值因素是出产量很少,少过0.01%,应验物以稀为贵的定律。

“例如拥有横纹(Milled edge)的50仙硬币,更可卖价1000至8000令吉,产量少至不详,它的最高记录是有一次在新加坡的拍卖会上卖得超过1万令吉。”

他补充,2000年在槟城国家银行出产,但未发行的1令吉纸钞,其未流通的品相(UNC)也可卖价5000令吉,由Ali Abusan签名,编号均始于CR72,少过5万张。他说,市民每日使用的钱币,有些可是非常有价值的,但当中也有伪造品,因此需要专业的鉴定和评估。

不愿嗜好沦为摇钱树

“只要懂得分辨,特别系列及古旧的钱币能让人了解过去到现在的历史,甚至能带来丰厚的回酬。”

无论如何,虽说旧钱币或可带来利润,但他不希望该健康嗜好变得太商业化,特别是在网上有人收购特定的钱币,使到很多人开始也收藏,但只单单为了赚钱。

“现在很多人开始会分辨哪些钱币是稀有且价值不菲的,但他们不了解背后的历史,即为何它会如此有价值及稀有,展览会的使命,正是要推广其意义,让更多人了解。”

不同年代 象征不同史迹

周敬晃指出,大马经历过不同的时代,有海峡、英殖民、日据,才到现今的马来西亚,而当中每个年代都有各别的钱币,象征着那个年代的历史、事迹及文化。

“身处在历史如此丰富的国家,我认为,我有这个责任,将就钱币当中的奥妙,推广给大众,特别是年轻一代,让他们知道以前的人经历过多少辛酸,明白现在的他们是多么幸福。”他说,时下年轻人多数喜欢上网、吃喝玩乐,希望该旧钱币文化能介绍给他们,让他们懂得更多,认识更多朋友,且都是有学识的朋友,因旧钱币需要去研究。

拥200年前钱币

从小就对旧物情有独钟的周敬晃说,他一开始收集的是旧邮票,因比较容易接触到,无需花钱也能得到,也喜欢古董如黑胶唱片、旧文件、瓷器等。

“后来看上公公爷爷留下来的纸币、银币,便开始去研究及收集资料,拥有历史最悠久的是200年前的钱币。”

筹组公会聚集爱好者

以往的怡保旧钱币爱好者圈子有限,但如今已改变局面,面子书功不可没!

周氏披露,早前怡保有一群热爱旧钱币的人,但大家都是各自收藏各自的珍藏,没有平台给他们交流、研究,亦缺乏可为他们的收藏品进行鉴定和评估的管道。

他补充,他们只能通过参考书或与古董店店主、老前辈交流而得到关于钱币的相关知识,该圈子是极小,因网络还未发达,无法将旧钱币文化推广给大众。

“直到2011年,我们在面子书创立了一个群组,聚集全马各地热爱旧钱币的人,在那里互相分享相关资料,教导如何分辨旧钱币的品相、品相的等级等。”他说,1970年代,全马的旧钱币玩家人数不到1000人,发展至今已超过5万人。

“目前,我们也正在筹备霹雳州的钱币公会,以便在不久的将来,以该公会继续在霹州推广旧钱币,聚集全霹州喜欢旧钱币的民众,再教育他们,让他们了解更多。

怡保钱币展今登场

阔别20年,怡保钱币展再现,从明日起至9日一连三天,早上10时至晚上10时,在怡保Angsana Ipoh Mall举办。

届时将有来自槟城、吉隆坡、马六甲、彭亨及怡保的收藏品,除了供民众欣赏,也提供免费评估及鉴定旧钱币,亦有收购有价值的钱币。

展览会上也有售卖旧钱币、有历史价值的邮票以及古董等,欢迎民众踊跃出席,欲知详情也可拨电013-5000163。

~以上新闻转自南洋商报~

Monday, 4 January 2016

Friday, 25 December 2015

Monday, 9 November 2015

Sunday, 25 October 2015

“狮城土生胡姬花系列” 昨推出最后一套纪念币

“狮城土生胡姬花系列” 昨推出最后一套纪念币



“狮城土生胡姬花系列”纪念硬币以胡姬花品种狮子石斛(左)和牙刷石斛为题材。(新加坡造币厂提供) 为欢庆我国丰富的植物遗产,新加坡金融管理局昨天推出第五套,也是最后一套的“狮城土生胡姬花系列”纪念硬币。

这套彩色纪念硬币由新加坡造币厂铸造,将于11月13日正式发行。

今年推出的这套彩色纪念币由两枚银币组成,分别以两种土生土长的胡姬花品种,即狮子石斛(Dendrobium leonis)与牙刷石斛(Dendrobium secundum)为设计。狮子石斛的花瓣是米黄色带点红,牙刷石斛的花卉则是粉紫色中有橘色花瓣。

《联合晚报》

Sunday, 23 August 2015

SG50纪念钞网上高价兜售!

SG50纪念钞网上高价兜售!



有卖家称只要以1039元购买手机,就可“免费”获得一套纪念钞。(购物平台截图)

SG50纪念钞引起公众排长龙兑换,如今更有国人上网高价兜售,一套价值100元的纪念钞竟炒到588元,还有人以1000余元卖手机送纪念钞。受访公众炮轰,不应趁机牟利,抹杀背后意义。


金融管理局为纪念我国独立50周年,推出一套六款纪念钞票,周四发售就吸引大批公众赶在银行开门前就去排队。


每套纪念钞包括一款50元面额和五款10元面额的钞票,公众可到本地九家主要银行以等值面额换取纪念钞,换言之每套价值100元。


《新明日报》