Natural drama captured on stamp

9 May sees a new issue in the Sepac stamp series, the joint theme being Spectacular views. With the sea as next-door neighbour, Åland Post decided to feature the breathtaking scenery of waves breaking against the cliffs.

LOCATED some 9 kilometres west of Mariehamn, Hammarudda is a lovely spot in Åland to experience the transformation of the sea into foaming fountains as the waves beat against the cliffs. This is where, on a December afternoon, Niclas Nordlund shot the spectacular photo for the 2018 Sepac stamp. Niclas was also the photographer behind last year’s Europa stamp featuring the Kastelholm castle, a motif that won an honourable silver prize in the jury competition for the most beautiful 2017 Europa stamp.

NICLAS focuses on nature motifs with seabirds as his favourite choice of motif. He happily remains in the Mariehamn surroundings. Hammarudda is a favourite spot, Geta in northern Åland another, a location where the unremitting forces of the sea may also be experienced. Nature photography demands a great deal of patience and careful planning of the area chosen, seeing that light and background play a major role for a top-notch photo.

THE ÅLAND LANDSCAPE diplays a great diversity ranging from barren skerries to forests and fertile cultivated land on the main island. With a patchwork archipelago of more than 6500 islands and skerries, water forms almost 90 % of the total area. Covering slightly more than 1500 km² today, the land area, however, increases by 4-5 mm every year due to the ongoing isostasy following the latest Ice Age some 10 000 years ago.

ALL THE 2018 Sepac stamps issued by the small European posts will be available in a practical and stylish pack this autumn.

SEPAC – SPECTACULAR VIEWS

DATE OF ISSUE: 9 May 2018 PHOTOGRAPHER: Niclas Nordlund

EDITION: 130 000

DENOMINATION: Världen (€1.50) PRICE FDC: €2.25

STAMP SIZE: 40 x 30 mm

SHEET SIZE: 2 x 12 stamps PAPER: 110 g/m² PERFORATION: 12 per 2 cm PRINTING METHOD: 4-colour offset

PRINTING HOUSE: Bpost

A rolling wave forms the first day cancel while we see waves flooding the red granite cliffs on the first day cover. The dramatic stamp motif reappears on a postcard, a lovely complement to your collection.