Singapore 2014 - Vanishing Trades (Collector's Sheet)

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: 26 November 2014
Denominations: 40c, 60c, 70c, 90c
Stamp Size: 32mm x 28mm
Perforation: 13 x 13
Paper: Unwatermarked
Printing Process: Offset lithography
Printer: Southern Colour Print
Sheet Content: 50 stamps per sheet
Designed by: Lim An-Ling

Vanishing trades form part of our nation's rich cultural heritage and bear testimonies to the growing and building of yesteryear Singapore. Early immigrants who came to Singapore started small businesses, with many of them as peddlers at the streets and along the five-foot-ways of the shophouses.

Dairy Men
Dairy men migrated from Tamil Nadu in South India and Uttar Pradesh in North India to Malaya at the beginning of the 20th century. They catered mainly to the growing Indian community around Serangoon Road. As part of the delivery routine, they would bring along their goats or cows and travel on foot from house to house offering truly fresh milk. Some of them would also deliver cans of milk by bicycle.

Kachang Puteh Sellers
Kachang puteh sellers were primarily Indians selling nuts, beans or peas (collectively known as "kachang' in Malay) that were either steamed, fried, roasted or dipped in sugar. The early kachang puteh sellers were roving vendors who plied their goods which were usually displayed on a rack or tray.

Songkok Makers
Songkok makers were predominantly from Sumatra or of Sumatran descent. They catered to the Malay/ Muslim communities in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, who often wore this traditional head gear when attending prayers at the mosque, other religious events, as well as festive celebrations such as Hari Raya Haji and Puasa.

Beaded Slippers Makers
Beaded slippers makers were traditionally Peranakan women who had to learn bead work prior to marriage as part of a Peranakan custom. Using beads, these makers had to stitch patterns onto a piece of needlepoint fabric stretched upon a wooden frame. Once the beading work had been completed, the beaded cloth would be sent to the cobbler to be made into slippers.

Lantern Makers
Lantern makers were once a popular trade during the early days of Singapore. The lantern makers painted over oiled paper stretched over interwoven ribs of delicate bamboo. The painted lanterns often depict famous figures from legend and/or Chinese characters for good luck and longevity.

Cage Makers
Cage makers require patience and skills in filling and smoothening the wood, shaping and assembling the cage and carving intricate patterns on the base of the cage. Even application of the lacquer glaze would need skilful handwork by the cage makers. The cage is a piece of art, and well-made cages require both quality wood and skilful ccraftsmanship.

Goldsmiths
Goldsmiths arrived in Singapore from Sri Lanka in the late 19th century and from South India and Gujarat in the mid-20th century. They would sit on floor mats or work over small benches while hand crafting pieces of jewellery. Their tools of the trade include screws, files, hammers, acid, sandpaper, water and a lamp.

Knife Sharpeners
Knife sharpeners were predominantly Cantonese Chinese and Malay, and many of them could be found along five-foot-ways in Singapore or travelled from one housing estate to another with their tools of trade. The tools of trade for a knife sharpener would typically include a pail of water, a grindstone and sheets of sandpaper.

Ice-Ball Sellers
Ice-ball sellers were primarily Indian vendors who sold drinks and ice-balls at the same time. Ice-ball sellers typically operate pushcarts laden with bottles of soft drinks, ingredients and a wooden ice-shaver. The Ice-balls could either be drenched in colourful syrup and/or milk, and sometimes include fillings such as cooked red beans or "attap-chees".

Parrot Astrologers
Parrot astrologers arrived in Singapore during the late 19th century from India. They often used parakeets to pick up tarot cards so that they could interpret the cards to foretell a person's future. The tools of their trade would include a small table or rug, a set of 27 fortune cards, astrology charts, a notebook and a parakeet.

Cobblers
Cobblers offer shoe-repair services such as the replacement of worn out soles and heels as well as the polishing of shoes. During the early days, the trade was dominated by Chinese males and many cobblers could be found along "five-foot-ways", at the corners of pavements along busy roads, and on sidewalks within the vicinity of bus-stops.

Garland Makers
Garland maker is a popular trade among the Indians, and it takes many years for a garland maker to learn how to skilfully weave the loose flowers in a garland. Traditionally flower garlands were part of offerings and prayers in the Indian community. The most common flowers used to make them are the marigold, rose, and jasmine.

Kite Makers
Kite makers first decide on the length and width of the kite to be made. This frame was made out of the bamboo, in which the bamboo was then cut into the right thickness for the frame, wing and tail sections. After the skeleton was completed it was tied with raffia and filled in with paper of different types and colours to create various designs.

Chinese Calligraphers
Chinese calligraphers are commonly found in the old Chinatown area. Many of them took on the role as letter writers as well. The letter writers wrote letters for the illiterate for a fee during the early days of Singapore. In this way, many Chinese early immigrants were able to stay in touch with their families back home in China.