Pieces of the past: A visitor looking at the displays in the Penang Philatelic Society’s exhibition titled ‘The Two World Wars Remembered’ at Berjaya Penang Hotel. (Below) A rare 1937 Straits Settlements first-day cover with the postmark of the now-partly demolished Runnymede Hotel. — JEREMY TAN/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Long before smartphones and instant photography documented every moment, stamps served as quiet witnesses to history.
The tiny pieces of paper – some bearing elaborate motifs, others just plain and utilitarian – reflected the realities, trends and social currents of their era.
This is evident in the Penang Philatelic Society’s year end stamp exhibition and fair titled “The Two World Wars Remembered” held at Berjaya Penang Hotel in Pulau Tikus here.
On display are a treasure trove of rarely seen wartime stamps, postcards, postal orders, covers, censored mail and other related artefacts.
Compelling focal points include pieces from the Japanese occupation during the Second World War, which reveal key happenings and the lived experiences of civilians.
Others trace connections between Malaya, India, Burma and other areas of conflict. Every piece comes with detailed captions highlighting their origins and historical significance.
Society president Ng Wee Theng said it gives visitors a glimpse into life during times of conflict – and underscores why preserving peace and unity is paramount.
This is timely, as 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
“Through philately, we’re connected to the past in tangible and intimate ways. Because in every stamp, lies a story of a nation’s hopes and struggles.
“History is not just found in textbooks but also these small pieces of paper. I hope every visitor old or young leaves with a deeper understanding of how history shaped our societies,” Ng said in his opening address yesterday.
He later took state tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai on a tour of the exhibits.
Many of the items come from the private collections of Ng and society adviser Dr Chua Hock Khoon, as well as Goh Kok Thye, Lim Keng Beng and international historian Apratim Bhattacharya.
Addressing the crowd, Wong said the exhibition proved that philately is not merely a hobby but one of the most accessible forms of historical documentation.
“Penang was the first British territory in South-East Asia to be bombed by the Japanese in 1941. Their subsequent occupation left a profound impact on our people, from hardships faced by civilians to the cultural changes that followed. Their sacrifices built the foundations of peace we enjoy today.
“Exhibitions like this ensure their stories are not erased by time,” Wong shared.
The two-day event ends today and is open from 9am to 6pm. It is held in the Cassia Hall on the 6th floor of the hotel.
There will also be talks, an auction and sales of stamps. Admission is free.
