Tools of the Trade: Letterpress Printing in Singapore
Letterpress printing may be obsolete today but the tools involved continue to be objects of fascination.
Kaboom! Early Malay Comic Books Make an Impact
The 1950s was the heyday for Malay comic books published in Singapore.
The Early History of Printing in Singapore
Printing in Singapore dates back 200 years with the establishment of a press by Christian missionaries. Their efforts to spread the gospel also helped bring the technology here.
Collection Focus: A Comic Book Version of Operation Jaywick
The story of Operation Jaywick, a daring attack on Japanese ships at Keppel Harbour in September 1943, is retold in a comic aimed at boys published in London in 1965.
Printed on Rubber Latex Paper
An innovation patented in 1920 produced paper that was more durable, had greater tensile strength and was resistant to folding, as Alex Teoh tells us.
Early Printing in Myanmar and Thailand
In the second of two essays on the history of printing in mainland Southeast Asia, Gracie Lee recounts how Christian missionaries brought printing technology to Myanmar and Thailand.
Malay Seals from Singapore
Malay seals of the 19th century hold important information, says Annabel Teh Gallop.
History Through Postcards
One postcard may not say much, but a collection of postcards can speak volumes. Stephanie Pee tells us what _Postcard Impressions of Early 20th-century Singapore_ has to say.
The News Gallery: Beyond Headlines
There is more to news than meets the eye. Mazelan Anuar and Faridah Ibrahim give us the scoop on the National Library’s latest exhibition.
From Lat Pau to Zaobao: A History of Chinese Newspapers
Chinese newspapers have been published in Singapore since the 19th century. Lee Meiyu looks at how they have evolved and examines their impact on the Chinese community here.
Early Printing In Indochina
In the first of two essays on the history of printing in mainland Southeast Asia, Gracie Lee examines the impact of the printing press in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
On Paper: Singapore Before 1867
Paintings by John Turnbull Thomson, poems in Jawi script, an early 19th-century map of Asia and a Russian traveller’s tale of Singapore are some of the paper artefacts featured in the National Library’s latest exhibition, “On Paper: Singapore Before 1867”.
On Writers and Their Manuscripts
No great work of literature is completed in just one draft. In an age where writers have gone paperless, novelist Meira Chand ponders over the value of manuscripts, and what they might reveal about a writer’s thought process.
Making History
A treaty that sealed Singapore’s fate, a contract for the sale of child brides, and a drawing of an iconic theatre are among the items showcased in a new book, 50 Records from History, published by the National Archives of Singapore.
The Modern Malayan Home
Along with the introduction of running water and electricity at the turn of the 20th century were advertisements featuring modern home appliances. Georgina Wong has the story.
Singapore’s Chin Kang Heritage
To mark its centenary, a Chinese clan association recently donated its archives of heritage documents to the National Library. Jessie Yak shares highlights from the collection.
When There Were Farms
To mark its centenary, a Chinese clan association recently donated its archives of heritage documents to the National Library. Jessie Yak shares highlights from the collection.
Papers from the Past: The Lee Family Archives
The personal papers of a noted Peranakan family provide a window into the lives of the Straits Chinese community during the colonial era, as Ong Eng Chuan reveals.
சிங்கைப் பத்திரிகைகளில் 1920–1960 வரை வெளிவந்த விளம்பரங்கள்- ஒரு பார்வை
Sundari Balasubramaniam examines Tamil print advertisements published between the 1920s and 1960s, and discovers fascinating insights of life during this period.
Wheels of Change: 1896–1970
Advertisements targeting aspiring car owners have come a long way since the first automobile was launched in Singapore in 1896, as Mazelan Anuar tells us.
Japan in Southeast Asia: The Lim Shao Bin Collection
More than 800 items documenting early Japanese interactions in Singapore and the region have been donated to the National Library. Gracie Lee explains the significance of this repository.
Sporting Glory
Sharen Chua shares highlights of commemorative sports publications from the National Library’s Legal Deposit Collection.
The Stuff of Dreams: Singapore’s Early Print Ads
Before the advent of the internet, print advertisements reigned supreme. These primary documents provide important clues to the social history of the period as Chung Sang Hong tells us.
First Issues: Publications from the Past
Launch issues can make or break a new publication. Barbara Quek shares highlights of first issues from NLB’s Legal Deposit Collection.
Textbooks We Remember
Shereen Tay pores through the National Library’s collection of old primary school English textbooks, and uncovers some classics in the process.
Kelly & Walsh: Purveyor, Publisher and Printer
Established in the 1880s, Kelly & Walsh was an iconic name in the Singapore book trade until its closure in 1956. Gracie Lee traces its history as bookseller, publisher and printer.
Stamping History
Postage stamps are more than little squares of paper to be stuck on envelopes. Justin Zhuang discovers how stamps have helped forge Singapore’s identity over the past five decades.
The Stories They Could Tell
Old photographs and documents can reveal new things about our history, as Yu-Mei Balasingamchow discovered when she sieved through the National Archives’ war collections.
Manuscripts from Our Global Past
An exhibition of old Southeast Asian writings showcases the region as a major centre of learning. Farish A. Noor explains why we should reclaim our heritage.
Early Malay Printing in Singapore
Mazelan Anuar tracks the rise and decline of Malay printing and publishing in 19th-century Singapore, and profiles two of the most prolific printers of that period.
The Way We Were: Fashion Through the Decades
Singapore has emerged as a leading Asian fashion capital in recent years. Zoe Yeo tracks its evolution through fashion publications from the Legal Deposit Collection.
从馆藏文献资料认识中医药在新加坡 的历史与发展 (Traditional Chinese Medicine in Singapore)
Traditional Chinese medicine in Singapore has a history that goes back to more than a century. Vicky Gao traces its development through the National Library’s collection.
Mr Song’s European Escapade
Ong Eng Chuan pores through the faded colonial-era postcards of Peranakan luminary Song Ong Siang to piece together highlights of his 10-month European sojourn.
Nyonya Needlework and the Printed Page
Cheah Hwei-Fe’n examines the impact of print media on the time-honoured craft of Peranakan embroidery and beadwork.
Heaven, Earth and Brotherhood
Secret societies arrived on the back of mass migrations of Chinese to Asia in the colonial era. Makeswary Periasamy highlights the National Library’s collection of early books on Chinese triads.
Party Time at the Raffles
The National Library’s collection of menu cards from Raffles Hotel provides an inkling of lavish parties and fine dining from bygone days. Francis Dorai and Jessie Yak take a peek.
Claudius Henry Thomsen: A Pioneer in Malay Printing
Danish missionary Claudius Henry Thomsen produced some of the earliest Malay-language publications in Singapore and the Malay Peninsula. Bonny Tan sheds light on this pioneer printer.
Best Non-Fiction Book of the Year
Spinal Guide: The Anatomy of a Book
The Bastin Collection on Raffles
The National Library recently acquired a treasured collection of letters and books of Sir Stamford Raffles. J. B. Stanley describes some of the highlights.
The George Hicks Collection
This valuable collection at the National Library is significant for a number of reasons. Eunice Low explains why.
Cover to Cover
Barbara Quek and Zoe Yeo highlight entertainment magazine covers of yesteryear from the collections of the National Library.
Aw Boon Haw and His Tiger Balm Newspaper Advertisements 1916–1954
邱菽园与晚清政府四位福建籍高官的交往
Professor Zhang Renfeng pieces together the lives of the Fujian people and the helping hand offered by the Overseas Chinese to their homeland through letters between poet Khoo Seok Wan and Chinese officials from Fujian, China.
邱菽园与康有为的友谊与交往 — 再读邱菽园后人王清建先生珍藏历史文献
Based on letters exchanged by Khoo Seok Wan and Kang You Wei, Professor Zhang Renfeng debunks myths about their friendship and provides insight into historical events during the late Qing Dynasty.
A Colonial Heritage: Collections of the Anglican Diocese of Singapore
Bonny Tan explores the rich collections of the Anglican Diocese of Singapore, which holds materials such as birth and death records, publications and other documents.
The Jiapu Chronicles: What’s in a Name?
Records of family lineage were important in traditional Chinese society. Lee Meiyu charts the history of these documents, or jiapu, which track not only family roots but also the social norms and cultural values of China at the time.
