Early maps offer a fascinating window into Singapore’s history. Some of these provide material evidence of Singapore’s existence as an important navigational landmark and place of trade in the maritime crossroads of East and West, long before the arrival of the British in 1819. They also preserve on record the various indigenous names of ancient Singapore. These indigenous names, such as Temasek (“sea town”) and Pulau Panjang (“long island”) are part of our heritage that live on today. This stamp issue features rare maps from the prized collection of the National Library of Singapore.