Visitors to Singapore have never failed to be fascinated by the island's unique multi-cultural heritage. While the Tourism Series low value definitive stamps portray popular places of interest and activities, the high value stamps of this series reveal the cultural side of Singapore.

The distinctive colours of the culture of each race as seen through cultural costumes, is beautifully illustrated through the paper sculpture figure on each of the four stamps. The stamps feature a Chinese opera singer ($1), a Malay cultural dancer ($2), an Indian dancer ($5), and a Ballet dancer ($10). The figures were painstakingly moulded out of papier-mache, then painted and dressed up. Every detail was looked into from eyelashes to lace and headgear. The superior photogravure printing technique gives a rich colour to each figure on the stamp.

To complete the portrayal of our rich culture, the stamp designer, Lim Ching San, set each paper sculpture figure against building corresponding to each race viz Siong Lim Temple ($1), Sultan Mosque ($2), Sri Mariamman Temple ($5) and Victoria Memorial Hall ($10). These architectural masterpieces were interpreted into line drawings for printing by the par excellence technique, recess. This technique brings out superbly the architectural styles of each monumental masterpiece.

The theme of our rich cultural diversity is carried through to all the ancillary items for this stamp issue. The first day covers feature illustrations of cultural dancers and are printed in a total of seven special colours. The design and layout for both the first day covers and presentation packs have been specially worked out to give the products an exquisite look. Even the poster featuring a montage of our different cultural activities in fine illustrations, has a unique look.

The superior printing techniques for the stamps and the special colours and designs for the ancillary products should make this set of stamps highly valued.