“Collecting Åland stamps feels like gathering stories from a small, soulful corner of the world.”
“Thank you for all the beautiful editions that let us discover more of the history and nature of Åland.”
Two of many comments in the spring customer survey. Your warm words invigorate us. This edition offers new stories and glimpses from our island world: from forest bathing and boathouse life to a beloved hibernating landmark and fintech visions reaching far beyond the borders of Åland.
Thank you for your words of encouragement – we’ll carry them with us into the new year.
Gunilla Häggblom Communication & PR Åland Post Stamps
Summer highlights
On 3–4 June, Åland Post hosted the PostEurop Philatelic Forum in Mariehamn. Over 60 participants representing 22 postal administrations, printers, manufacturers and philatelic experts gathered to discuss stamps.
On 25 August, artists Bo Söderlund and Juta Policja signed their editions at the Åland Parliament.
The Sepac group held its annual conference on Åland in June. An evening excursion by boat to the island of Rödhamn outside Mariehamn concluded a full day of stamp discussions.
Come along into the forest
4 February sees the release of a new series of franking labels. Åland stamp debutante Marie Laaksonen has illustrated four of the most common tree species on Åland: pine, spruce, birch and oak.
Illustrator Marie Laaksonen’s first assignment for Åland Post took her on an exploratory trip into the forest.
“The assignment was both exciting and challenging. I went on many walks in the woods, wanting to create a story in which the motifs formed a whole. I decided that our four seasons could be a core part of the project with each tree symbolizing a season. Often associated with winter and Christmas, the spruce was given a warmer hue, while the birch, with its light, sheer leaves, represents the early summer in clear, bright shades.
I was also inspired by the Tree of Knowledge symbolism, how a seed is sown, grows, takes shape, and branches. That each branch can be seen as an acquired knowledge or skill. I therefore chose to work in watercolour, which gave me the
feeling and tone that I was striving for to convey the changing of the seasons, the depth of the symbolism and the entirety of the story,” Marie explains.
The forest is an obvious part of the Åland landscape and identity. Nearly 60% of the land area is woodland. Not only do trees provide timber and raw materials for various products, they are also important for biodiversity and the climate, while offering tranquil environments for recreation, outdoor life and well-being.
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is the dominant tree species in Åland. Thriving on almost any type of soil, the straight mast-like trunks grow up to 30 m tall. Come spring, it spreads its sulfur-yellow pollen over great distances. Pine is an
Gran Picea abies
Marie Laaksonen
Tall Pinus sylvestris
Marie Laaksonen
Glasbjörk Betula pubescens
important resource, producing fine timber and tar, turpentine and pine oil from the resin and the vitamin C-rich needles.
European spruce (Picea abies) makes up about 14% of the forest. Thriving in shady places, it can easily crowd out more lightdemanding trees such as pine and oak. But the spruce is more fragile, its shallow root system making it more sensitive to windfall and drought, favouring vermin such as the spruce bark beetle, which also causes problems on Åland.
Birch is the most common type of deciduous tree. The white birch (Betula pubescens) illustrated on the postage label is recognizable by its white, smooth bark and oval, soft and single-toothed leaves. The birch is strongly associated with festive celebrations such as end of school and Midsummer. Many sauna brooms are tied from the young, fresh birch twigs in early summer.
Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) is a majestic hardwood tree and a symbol of strength and endurance. It is extremely hardy and can live up to 1,000 years. On Åland, wild-growing oaks with a girth of over 170 cm are protected. The trees spread their acorns in autumn. The oak is also an important ecosystem, housing over 900 different species, from insects to lichens. Historically, oak timber was sought after for shipbuilding, which may explain why there are no larger oak forests in Åland today.
Sources: Fakta och funderingar om vårdträd och trädkultur på Åland, Jens Harberg 2019 Nyckeltal – landsbygdsnäringarna på Åland 2025, and others
Franking labels, trees
Date of issue: 4 February 2026
Artist: Marie Laaksonen
Design: Johanna Finne
Denomination of series: 4 × Inrikes
Label size: 56 × 25 mm
Strip size: 60 × 127 mm
Paper: 40 gms thermal paper
Process: 4-colour offset
Printer: Royal Joh. Enschedé
Marie Laaksonen lives in Finström, Åland, after several years in Munich, Germany, studying and working as a graphic designer. She draws inspiration from nature and travel and illustrates everything from animals and plants to the sea and mountains.
@ lukido_official
The first day cover (left) shows various tree leaves which reappear in the special cancel. The first day cancel shows a pinecone. The maximum card at the top shows the seeds and fruits of the trees.
Marie Laaksonen ÅLAND 2026 robur Ek Quercus
Inrikes FR1SV
The third and final part of the stamp series featuring Åland boathouse culture is released on 4 February. Kjell Söderlund photographed two charming boathouses, where boat storage meets fellowship and creativity.
Boathouses – more than storage
Boathouses around Åland are primarily used to protect boats and equipment from the elements. For the owners of the two boathouses adorning the 2026 stamps, they are more than just a place to store boats – they are also a place to socialize and relax.
Barely 10 minutes from Mariehamn, in the neighbouring municipality of Jomala, lies Kalmarviken bay. On one side of the bay, in Kalmarnäs, stands an original boathouse, while a stately yellow boathouse looks out over the water from the other side of the bay, near the Lemström Canal.
The brown boathouse with red roof and blue details in Kalmarnäs was designed and built by the owner Göran Sundblom over six years in the early 2000s.
“I’m a building engineer and have always been interested in architecture, especially in unusual shapes and details. The curved roof is quite unusual and has drawn comments. As a hobby carpenter, I like to spend time on such things, and it’s fun to play with details. Boathouses don’t have to function and look like they always have,” Göran says.
With its 62 m², the boathouse not only accommodates two wooden boats that Göran built but also has a sauna area with a kitchenette and a roofed terrace.
A paved pier embraces the wooden jetty leading to the patio at the far end – a favourite spot in warm summer evenings.
On the other side of the bay stands Magnus Lundberg’s yellow boathouse, built in 2001, measuring approx. 100 m².
A boat hangs in the boathouse yearround, always ready for fishing trips. In the summer, it is joined by an Anytec sheet metal boat.
From early spring to late autumn, the obvious gathering place for friends and family is the boathouse and the jetty by the water. To make even more use of the space, a hoistable deck was built, which when fell down transforms the boathouse into a party venue for both pizza nights and crayfish parties.
“Even at Christmas we use the boathouse. Then we start the grill, drink mulled wine, and dress in warm overalls, since we’ve no heating in the boathouse,” Magnus says.
Åland photographer Kjell Söderlund has shot all six motifs in the boathouse series which started in 2024. His first stamp for Åland Post was released already in 2002.
Boathouses
Date of issue: 4 February 2026
Photographer: Kjell Söderlund
Design: Johanna Finne
Editions: 2 × 30 000
Denominations: €0.70 & €3.1 0
Stamp size: 35 × 35 mm
Sheet size: 199 × 296 mm
Stamps/sheet: 2 × 15 stamps
Paper: 110 g/m²
Perforation: 12 per 2 cm
Process: 4-colour offset
Printer: Gutenberg AG
The first day cancel is an illustration of the Kalmarnäs boathouse. On the first day cover, the stone-paved pier next to the boathouse can be seen in the autumn mist.
Next year, the small European postal administrations highlight iconic landmarks in their joint Sepac stamp series. As motif, Åland Post chose the museum ship Pommern in Mariehamn’s western harbour, a proud symbol of Åland’s maritime heritage. Photographer Moein Eshghi captured the vessel in hibernation. Release date is 18 March.
Maritime landmark in winter attire
Sailing ship Pommern is one of Åland’s best-known sights. It is unique in the world as the only preserved four-masted steel barque in its original condition. Built in Glasgow in 1906, she first sailed under German flag as Mneme. In 1923, Åland shipping magnate Gustaf Erikson bought the ship and, as S/S Pommern, she became one of the last sailing ships to carry wheat between Australia and Europe until 1939.
Pommern has been a museum ship since 1953, when she was donated to the city of Mariehamn by Gustaf Erikson’s children. Since 2019, the ship floats in a specially built dock below the Åland Maritime Museum, surrounded by a large wooden deck. The Pommern dock is unique in that it is built in the water instead of being dug into land.
From May to September, the Pommern is open to visitors. With an audio guide in your ears, you can follow the crew on a 100-day voyage to Australia and back, with both stormy seas and a line-crossing ceremony at the equator as part of the experience. Closed during the winter, the ship is far from dormant as important maintenance work is in progress. Craftsmen work year-
round to restore and preserve the ship for the future.
The stamp motif was shot by photographer Moein Eshghi, his first assignment for Åland Post.
“I took the photo on a calm and cold winter’s day on Åland. The snow had covered everything, and the soft morning light fell on the Pommern. The beautiful contrast between the white snow, the dark lines of the ship and the light blue sky caught my attention. The sense of stillness and serenity in the scene made me press the shutter at that very moment,” Moein says.
He describes his style as a mix of documentary and artistic.
“I want my photos to both show reality and convey the feeling and story behind the moment. I often take inspiration from nature, the light, the changing seasons, and everyday life on Åland. I always try to capture details that may not be visible at first glance.”
Source: www.pommern.ax
Sepac – iconic landmarks, Pommern
Date of issue: 18 March 2026
Photographer: Moein Eshghi
Design: Johanna Finne
Edition: 30 000
Denomination: €4.30
Stamp size: 40 × 30 mm
Sheet size: 185 × 264 mm
Stamps/sheet: 2 × 12 stamps
Paper: 110 g/m²
Perforation: 12 per 2 cm
Process: 4-colour offset
Printer: Gutenberg AG
The stamp sheet, first day cancel and special cancel show the silhouette of the sailing ship and its handwritten name. The ship’s stern and dock can be seen in the winter morning mist on the first day cover
Moein Eshghi works as a photographer and videographer in Mariehamn, Åland. He has roots in Iran.
mephoto.studio
The maximum card shows the ship from the front, frozen at the dock, while the surrounding landscape rests under a blanket of snow. The postage-paid symbol on the address side of the card shows the S/S Pommern in its glory days.
On 18 March, Åland Post launches a stamp highlighting the financial services sector on Åland.
Illustrator Elin Eriksson has interpreted the theme, inspired by the Åland company Enfuce, which has grown into an international player in digital payments in just a few years.
Fintech pioneer from Åland
Behind many of our everyday payments – such as shopping online – are advanced systems that most of us never think about. One of the companies developing these systems is Enfuce, which has become a forerunner in the financial technology industry. The company offers cloud-based card and payment services and helps companies issue payment cards, manage transactions and oversee digital payments, among other things.
The company was founded on Åland in 2016 by five industrious entrepreneurs with a vision to change the payments industry.
Two of the founders, Denise Johansson and Monika Liikamaa, still lead the company as a CEO duo.
In less than ten years, the company has taken the leap from Åland to Europe through innovative technology solutions and global collaborations. Today, the company has offices in Mariehamn, Espoo, Stockholm, and London, and over 150 employees working to develop smart payment solutions. In 2024, the company was named fintech company of the year at the Europe Fintech Awards.
Åland illustrator Elin Eriksson took on the challenge of illustrating the edition.
“I started by familiarizing myself with the operations of Enfuce and the financial world. It was inspiring and challenging to translate something so abstract into an image that feels understandable, aesthetic, and interesting – and that works in the small postage stamp format,” Elin says.
She describes how she experimented with shapes and perspectives to convey the feeling of ease and flow, while also wanting to capture the Åland origins of Enfuce.
“I tested different compositions to find an expression that reflected the identity of Enfuce, but where I could also weave my own surrealist style into the design. I wanted to avoid getting stuck in technicalities and convey an image that felt alive. The result was a motif based on a stylized map of Åland that shows the Åland roots. The layers of red granite, sea, payment card, and the cloud symbolize the way out into the world,” Elin explains.
Elin Eriksson is an Åland illustrator and graphic designer who runs her own studio in Åland and works as design director at the design agency Hello Studio in Stockholm. In 2023, she created the mini-sheet Sustainability for Åland Post.
@elin.maria.eriksson
479
Financial services
Date of issue: 18 March 2026
Artist: Elin Eriksson
Design: Elin Eriksson & Johanna Finne
Edition: 30 000
Denomination: Världen
Stamp size: 30 × 40 mm
Sheet size: 264 × 185 mm
Stamps/sheet: 2 × 12 stamps
Paper: 110 g/m²
Perforation: 12 per 2 cm
Process: 4-colour offset
Printer: Gutenberg AG
The first day cover and first day cancel show a card in a cloud, symbolizing cloud services. On the stamp and the gutter of the sheet you see a ladder, a visual metaphor for the levels of happiness in life where smart payment solutions simplify everyday life.
On 18 March, Åland Post presents a new issue in the Open edition stamp series, giving an artist free rein to create an Åland stamp. Visual artist Lin Simons captures the Åland late summer with a shimmering emerald damselfly (Lestes sponsa).
Shimmering aviator of summer
When Åland Post invited Lin Simons to create an Åland postage stamp, she did not hesitate for a second.
“I was overjoyed. It felt both honouring and exciting. The design process started in my head right away, and I quickly had an idea for the motif ready,” Lin says.
The Summer shimmer stamp shows a dragonfly on a blade of grass against a stylized background of rolling grass, the sea and an evening sun partially hidden behind clouds. The motif is based on a recurring experience at her summer cottage in northern Åland.
“In the summer, the yellow-brown grass grows on the slope in front of our cottage, and dragonflies are swarming about in the air. I wanted to combine these two impressions: the shimmering dragonflies and the swaying grass in evening light,” Lin explains.
Flora and fauna as well as everyday objects in her surroundings are a constant source of inspiration for Lin.
“I’m inspired by the diversity of nature. My style is often realistic, and I’m most excited when working with the shades and hues of colours, combining them in different ways. My images are often sensory memories of nature – sensations, sounds, and smells that are associated with my childhood summers on Åland.”
Lin likes to experiment with the collage technique, which she has also used for the stamp in combination with watercolour.
“I’ve worked with the collage technique for many years. I create motifs from small pieces of coloured paper that I cut out of various interior design magazines and the like. The pieces of paper are hardly ever completely solid in colour, but shimmer with different patterns and shades of colour – this way the surfaces come alive. The challenge is to find the right colour shades and group them into different hues before I mount them with decoupage glue.”
Continued on p. 14
Summer shimmer
Date of issue: 18 March 2026
Artist: Lin Simons
Design: Johanna Finne
Edition: 30 000
Denomination: Lokalpost
Stamp size: 30 × 40 mm
Sheet size: 264 × 185 mm
Stamps/sheet: 2 × 12 stamps
Paper: 110 g/m²
Perforation: 12 per 2 cm
Process: 4-colour offset & glitter varnish
Printer: Gutenberg AG
Two dragonflies on a flower adorn the first day cover. The first day cancel also shows a stylized dragonfly.
Lin Simons (1968) is an Åland artist and art teacher at the Adult Education Centre in Mariehamn. She has a master’s degree in art pedagogy.
@linlouisesimons
She also describes watercolour as an interesting medium:
“With water I can create different colour effects. Combined with the collage technique, a nice contrast is created,” Lin explains.
Alongside her own artistic work, Lin has worked as a teacher in Åland for over 20 years. For 15 years now, she has been the art teacher responsible for course planning at the Adult Education Centre in Mariehamn, where she teaches a number of different art classes – a job she enjoys while also spurring her own creativity.
As motif for her stamp, Lin chose one of our most common species of dragonflies: emerald damselfly (Lestes sponsa). It flies in large swarms from July to September. The male has a greenish-blue metallic body with black markings on the abdomen. The female is more emerald-green and yellowish beige, but the females of this
species can even resemble the male in colour and markings. Its wingspan is about 40 mm and the abdomen is 25–33 mm long. Unlike other damselflies, the emerald damselfly often perches with its wings half-opened rather than folded in along its body. It favours well vegetated, shallow and still water environments such as ponds, lakes and certain wetlands.
About Open edition
The Open edition stamp series gives selected artists free rein to create a personal stamp motif from Åland. Since its inception in 2023, a stamp has been released every year. First up was art photographer Christoffer Relander’s preserved childhood memory Bark boat in a jar, followed by visual artist Carolina Sundelin’s archipelago greenery stamp On the islet. Illustrator Amanda Chanfreau’s imaginative Magical island stamp was released in March 2025.
Source: Wikipedia and others.
treasures of the sea, series of 4 (last day of sale 3 Feb. 2026)
labels, trees, series of 4 (Inrikes)
We reserve the right for price & postage changes as well as information errors. All prices listed exclusive of VAT. See delivery conditions & fees at alandstamps.com/en/policies/terms-of-service.
2026 issues
4 February Trees Franking labels, 4 motifs, 1 maximum card 4 February Boathouses
18 March Sepac: Iconic landmarks
18 March Open edition: Summer shimmer 1 stamp 18 March Financial services 1 stamp
8 May Europa: 70 years of Europa stamps 2 stamps
8 May Island weather Booklet of 8 stamps, 4 motifs
9 June Art classics 4 postal stationery cards
9 June Åland Photography Museum 25 years Miniature sheet of 1 motif, 1 maximum card
21 September Micro-algae
Sauli Niinistö
23 October Winter dreams 2 stamps, a self-adhesive mini-sheet of 6 stamps of 1 motif, 1 maximum card
23 October Christmas seals Sheet of 20 self-adhesive seals, 4 motifs
Read more about the 2026 stamp year at alandstamps.com/en.
2026 special cancellations
Current information can be found at www.alandstamps.com/en, where updated images of the cancels will be posted. If you wish to have a special cancel on your own pre-franked and self-addressed covers, please send them to us well in advance of the relevant date. Changes are possible.
Åland Post Ab Stamps PO Box 1100 AX-22111 Mariehamn ÅLAND, Finland
