ÅLAND STAMPSPOST No. 1 2022Special centenariancelebratesissuep. 8 Stamp breathes life into creaturemythologicalp.14
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2 • ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN
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“To me, it was important to highlight the breadth of today’s Åland art life, of course,
runs Gallery Skarpans, the oldest year-round gallery in Åland.
Åland Post breaks new ground with this year’s stamp booklet. This is the first time that we publish a booklet with seven stamp motifs in different formats. The theme, how to select a few works to represent contem porary art in Åland, was also a challenge. Åland Post chose to collaborate with two people who keep track of the Åland art scene: Susanne Procopé-Ilmonen, super intendent at the Åland Art Museum, and Leila Cromwell-Morgan Lönnroth who
ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN • 3
Discover the artistic Åland
On 9 June, we issue this year’s stamp booklet Åland Contemporary featuring works of seven present-day Åland artists. To find the best selection of artwork, Åland Post was assisted by Susanne Procopé-Ilmonen of the Åland Art Museum and Leila Cromwell-Morgan Lönnroth of Gallery Skarpans.
The term contemporary is used for all present-day or modern art, but, for reasons of clarity, the group decided to include only works from the last 20 years in the selec tion. Leila and Susanne share their thoughts on the selection process.
also in terms of gender and age. And to produce an appealing booklet in which the works function individually and as a whole. I’ve learned that not all works are suitable for the small format,” Leila says. Susanne adds:“It was also important to present different techniques such as sculpture, photography, painting, graphics, and textile art. It was rewarding to be part of the working group, and we had interesting discussions about what is currently happening in the Åland art scene and how we could convey this in our selection.”
Date of issue: 9 June 2022
Design: Johanna Finne/Åland Post Edition: 25 000
Denomination: 7 × €3.20
Stamp sizes: 31 × 28.5 mm, 31 × 40.5 mm, 62 × 41 mm
Paper: 110 g/m²
Perforation: 13 per 2 cm
FDC Åland Contemporary Price: €23.40 Code: 416-000428
Process: 5-colour offset
4 • ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN
Size folded booklet: 62 × 84 mm
“We have an interesting art scene of younger and older artists with varying expressions. Nature motifs are popular but they also depict sensitive and controversial topics, and Åland art thereby participates in the contemporary debate,” Susanne says.
Artists: Barbro Eriksson, Erica Signell, Gunnar Sjöblom, Johan Karlsson, Kurt Simons, Minna Öberg & Tiina Tahvanainen
428
Printer: Cartor Security Printing
Leila is looking forward to the issue:
Åland contemporary
“I find it very positive that Åland Post has invested in this theme right now. Åland has a thriving art life with surprisingly many art ists in a small population.”
The booklet cover is adorned by Erica Signell’s artwork All over the place. Scrap artist Johan Karlsson’s Rooster boasts on the first day cover, while Kurt Simon’s geometric abstraction Augur I can be seen in the first day cancel. You will find all the artists on the back of the first day cover.
Kurt Simons is active in both Sweden and Åland since the 1950s and has a variety of exhibitions behind him, and always new ones cooking. The artwork Augur I alludes to the Roman augur who read the liver of sacrificial animals. Parallels can be drawn to today’s academic art historians who interpret our contemporary@kurt_simonsart.
@ericasignellart
ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN • 5
Tiina Tahvanainen is a freelance photographer based in Åland. The photograph was included in an exhibi tion in 2008 featuring 6 Åland originals, one of whom was Borghill Lindholm. The work hangs in Marie hamn City Library. Tiina has several photo projects underway, including Women Seas, which explores the problems surrounding women’s bodies, and a joint exhibition with ceramicist Judy Kuitunen to be shown in the summer of @photographertiina2022.
Johan Karlsson has been sculpting scrap for almost 15 years. He finds inspiration mainly in the animal kingdom. Having made smaller roosters of cutlery, the artwork Rooster was an attempt to create a large stately rooster completely covered in scrap metal. In recent times, Johan has created several animal heads, including a goat’s head.
Minna Öberg is a visual artist. She likes to reuse materials in her art, and experiments with new and recycled materials. The artwork #sniffingaround3 was exhibited in 2009 and is part of a series of 8 illustrations showing reflections from life with a dog. Minna is currently working on decorating the public spaces in the new police station in Mariehamn.
Gunnar Sjöblom has pursued oil painting and graph ics for almost 40 years. Inspired by the Japanese flower Physalis Alkekengi, the artwork Japanese lantern is made in photopolymer engraving, i.e., etched in UV light and developed in water. Gunnar is currently working on a photo exhibition presenting Åland churches.
Erica Signell had her first solo exhibition in 2005. Her main medium of expression is figurative paint ing. The artwork All over the place was part of an exhibition in 2018 that depicted everyday family life. Owned by the city of Mariehamn, the painting shows the little child discovering the world. It hangs in the secretariat of the education sector. Erica is currently working on an exhibition to be shown at the Åland Art Museum in the summer of 2022.
Barbro Eriksson’s first love is textile art, but she has also worked with painting, graphics, and mixed media. A surprise will be made public on the issue date and an exhibition at Gallery Skarpans is an upcoming project. The artwork Sacrificial cardigan is a comment on a political debate on free menstrual protection. The car digan is sewn from sanitary napkins and the pendant is crocheted with lace yarn. The work is part of the Åland Art Museum’s @barbro.erikssoncollections.
@minna_oberg
@lillgrillen
Sources: www.varumarke.ax, www.barkraft.ax.
If you wish to follow the festivities in Åland, you will find current events and functions connected to the celebration on this website: linktr.ee/aland100.
On last year’s stamp, which started the anniversary year, artist Jonas Wilén inter preted the background of Åland’s autonomy. During the year, a multitude of cultural events, exhibitions and seminars have been offered. Competitions have been arranged to find the Ålander, Åland dish and knitting pattern of the century. Many items still remain on the agenda before the year ends with a 3-day 100-year party from 9 to 12 June.
FDC Åland autonomy 100 years
Jonas Wilén describes the miniature sheet as “Åland in a nutshell”. He gives his version of today’s life in Åland, where old ways and modern life mix well, affirming its proud traditions but, at the same time, taking part in the modern high-tech world. The miniature sheet offers much to discover,
The celebration of Åland’s 100th anniversary culminates on 9 June. Åland Post’s second stamp issue for the anniversary highlights the festive anniversary year.
In 2014, the Åland Parliament unani mously decided that Åland society should be developed within the framework of sustainability by 2051. The vision for Åland is that everyone can flourish in a sustainable society on the islands of peace.
The miniature sheet by artist Jonas Wilén shows a cross-section of the Åland islands of today, a country within the country with its own identity.
some things that you probably already asso ciate with Åland, while others may surprise. In Åland, it is close to nature, jobs, school and experiences.
MayCongratulations!Ålandlivefor 100 years!
6 • ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN
Price: €6.00 Code: 416-000429
Edition:
Stamp size: 50 × 44.8 mm Sheet size: 120 × 95 mm Paper: 110 g/m² Perforation: 13 per 2 cm Process: 4-colour offset Printer: Cartor Security Printing
Artist:
Denomination:
Jonas Wilén is an Åland visual artist, illustrator and cartoonists. The miniature sheet is his thirteenth stamp edition for Åland Post. jonas_wilen
ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN • 7 M ARIEHA M N 9 6 202 2 • FÖRSTA DAGEN • M ARIEHA M N 9 6 202 2 • FÖRSTA DAGEN • M ARIEHA M N 9. 6 . 202 2 • FÖRSTA DAGEN • 429 Åland100autonomyyears
Date of issue: 9 June 2022 Jonas Wilén Johanna Finne/Åland Post 25 000 €5.00
Design:
The first day cover is adorned with cowslips, the provincial flower of Åland. The first day cancel shows a wind turbine and a drone.
8 • ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN
The miniature sheet is produced with foiling and embossing in a limited edition of 4500. The texts on the sheet are printed in glossy metal foil, while the embossing print makes the island seem to have risen slightly above sea level.
storage. The pack has information about the issue in English, German, Swedish and Finnish. In addition, this collector’s rarity is numbered by hand.
Celebrate centenarian with numbered special issue
Remember Åland’s 100th anniversary celebration with a jubilee pack holding a specially printed miniature sheet in limited edition.
Treat yourself to the finest anniversary memory. Make haste to place your order for the jubilee pack, which you will find on p. 11 of the order coupon. To secure your copy, you can also order the pack in the webshop, by e-mail or telephone.
Folded card: 150 × 150 mm
Price: €10.00 Code: 301-001429
Jubilee pack Åland autonomy 100 years
The jubilee pack is developed for the miniature sheet which is centrally placed in a foil pocket for best viewing and safe
Miniature sheet: 120 × 95 mm
To put a silver lining on the celebration of the Åland centenary, Åland Post releases a jubilee pack with a special version of the miniature sheet Åland autonomy 100 years on 9 June.
All prices listed exclusive of VAT. Prices and availability subject to change.
Chose quicker and/or traceable delivery of your order below: Priority mail + €3.00 Registered mail + €11.00
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Alternatively, place your order by: phone + 358-18-636641 e-mail stamps@alandpost.com webshop webshop.alandpost.com/en/
Standard delivery for Åland, Finland, Nordic countries and Europe: Economy. Rest of the world: Priority mail.
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IBRS/CCRI 22100/300N°: NE PAS AFFRANCHIR NO STAMP REQUIRED FOLD HERE AND TAPE UP (DO NOT USE GLUE OR STAPLING-MACHINE) Customer number New customer ❏ Change of address ÅLAND POST AB REPLY PAID / RÉPONSE PAYÉE FINLAND / FINLANDE AX-22103STAMPS MARIEHAMN ÅLAND, Finland
Full name Full E-mailTelephoneCountryaddressno. Yes, please. To stay up-to-date with new products and special offers, I wish to receive Åland Post’s newsletter to my e-mail address. I can unsubscribe at any time. Date of birth day month year Order informationOrder coupon
CODE STAMPS
POSTCARD AMOUNT
10 • ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN 1,30 €
301-000423 Veteran tractors, Ford, 1940s 20221.2. 3.50
The Tall Ships Races 2021 (Världen) 202123.7. 2.40
301-000422 Tiger cat, miniature sheet 20.10.2021 3.00
sheet
416-000428 FDC Åland Contemporary 20229.6.
301-000429 Åland autonomy
301-000417 Åland 100 years (Lokalpost) 20219.6. 1.90
301-000412 Sepac, historical maps 25.3.2021 4.00
booklet
Franking labels, A century of willfulness, series of 4 20221.2. 8.00
301-000425 ÅSS
301-000416
301-000415 Europa, endangered wildlife (Europa) 20217.5. 2.20
301-000418/352-202122
301-000420/000421
CODE 3.30 23.40 6.00
Premiers in Åland, booklet (8 × €2.00) 20219.6. 16.00
TOTAL
301-000419 The Tall Ships Races 2021, miniature sheet 202123.7. 5.00
FDC (stamp price + cover €1.00) ISSUED e 4-BL. AMOUNT 416-000427 FDC Europa, stories & myths 20229.5.
301-000428 Åland
PRICE
301-000413 Satellite meteorology (Världen) 25.3.2021 2.40
myths
301-000426 Disc
ISSUED e
Great Northern War 300 years (Inrikes) 20217.5. 2.00
416-000429 FDC Åland autonomy 100 years 20229.6.
301-000414
301-000427 stories & (Europa) 20229.5. 2.30 contemporary, (7 × €3.20) 20229.6. 22.40 100 years, miniature 20229.6. 5.00
Europa,
€1.30
301-000424 Veteran tractors, Valmet 20, 1956 (Lokalpost) 20221.2. 1.90 pavilion 25.3.2022 2.10 golf (Världen) 25.3.2022 2.40
q Christmas 2021 (Julpost) q Christmas 2021 (Världen) 20.10.2021 2.401.10
311-2022201
Jubilee pack, special edition Åland autonomy 100 years 20219.6. 10.00 850-008502 Postal Boat Race, commemorative card (order by 10 June, also see p.20) 202218.6. 4.00
CODE PRODUCTS
445-202218 Maximum card no. 137, Stories & myths 20229.5. 3.00 301-001429
Lotta Svärd Foundation 100 years, 2 motifs 28.4.2021 3.70 610-112974 Europa 2021 - Endangered wildlife III, 3 motifs 28.4.2021 5.55 610-112976 Postcard 150 years, booklet of 6 motifs 28.4.2021 11.10 610-112977 Day of celebration 28.4.2021 1.85 610-113009 Posti’s Art Award 2021, Alma Jantunen, 2 motifs 8.9.2021 3.70 610-113011 Glimmer of Fall, miniature sheet 8.9.2021 9.25 610-113012 Everyday green acts, booklet 8.9.2021 11.10 610-113013 Finnish art classics, stamp rolls, 8 motifs 8.9.2021 14.80 610-113306 Spruce 3.11.2021 1.85 610-113307 Northern Lights 3.11.2021 1.95 610-113308 First Snow 3.11.2021 3.70 610-113678 Friendship stories, 5 motifs 19.1.2022 9.25 610-113680 Joy of Spring! 2 motifs 19.1.2022 3.70 610-113682 Fazer Blue 100 years 19.1.2022 1.85
ISSUED e NUMBER AMOUNT 627-112790 Year pack 2020 110.00 627-113322 Year pack 2021 105.00 TOTAL
PRICE
ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN • 11
SYMBOLS USED
Finnish stamps
ISSUED e AMOUNT
Stamps Mint Cancelled Gutter pairs Postcard
CODE STAMPS
ISSUED e NUMBER AMOUNT
CODE PHILATELIC PRODUCTS
610-112972
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12 • ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN
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ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN • 13
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FDC Europa – Stories & myths Price: €3.30 Code: 416-000427
A ‘rå’ is a keeper of a specific area. Along with many other spirits and deities of nature, the myth of the sjörå is based on older common beliefs, mixed with Christian values. Passed on over generations, the stories used to be taken very seriously.
On 9 May, you should beware the lures of the ‘sjörå’. You will find this mythological creature on the 2022 Europa stamp illustrating the theme ‘stories and myths’. Finnish illustrator Lasse Harkkala has interpreted the water spirit that rules the sea and the lakes.
The stamp motif is largely based on stories recorded in the 1890s in Åland. Stories about the water nymph, however, are told in all the Nordic countries. The sjörå, also known as mistress of the sea, is closely related to the mermaid. She – the sjörå is often a female creature – rules the sea and the lakes and also predict deaths and bad weather.
Main sources: Åländsk folktro, Lennart Torstensson Renvall, 1890, https://kulturminnet.wordpress.com
The water nymph has her own pots and pans of glittering copper that she scrubs by the lake shore, and she keeps her own livestock. Her manatees have different colours and distinctive names. They can be seen grazing among human livestock and even mating with them. A story from Finby in Sund tells of a bull that was motley like a perch and stronger than any other bull. And what is more, the sjörå keeps a pike as a pet, so, be careful if you catch a particularly large pike!
14 • ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN
awards he who joins her with good hunting and fishing luck, but he must not show his good fortune to strangers, or she will take it back quickly. She also punishes anyone who causes her anger.
The water spirit is happy to show herself to humans, who can see her in colourful clothes, sitting on the beach cliffs combing her long hair. Considered a beauty, her good looks, however, only extend to the front. From behind, she is a hollow rotten stump. She is particularly fond of young men and
The power and love of the ‘sjörå’
Offer a penny or give a gift to get her in good spirits and she will watch over your boat, as shown on the first day cover. The first day cancel shows her two sides – the beautiful front and the ugly back. On the sheet, you see her manatees. 427 Europa – Stories & myths Date of issue: 9 May 2022 Artist: Lasse Harkkala Design: Johanna Finne/Åland Post Edition: 45 000 Denomination: €2.30 Stamp size: 35 × 35 mm Sheet size: 2 × 15 stamps Paper: 110 g/m² Perforation: 13 per 2 cm Process: 5-colour offset Printer: Cartor Security Printing Lasse Harkkala is a Finnish illustrator, painter and graphic designer living in Geta in northern Åland. This year’s Europa stamp is his first stamp design. @lasseharkkala Fotograf: Christoffer Relander
Sjörået
ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN • 15
Lasse usually sketches on large sheets of paper and selects details to elaborate. The illustrations often take a long time to com plete because of their richness of detail. He prefers to draw black and white drawings, which he then colours with watercolours.
“The stamp was was a fun assignment. I usually draw from the top of my head, and images arise in the flow, so, I first had doubts that I could make a stamp. But the
Lasse betweenillustrationsHarkkala’smovefairytale world and reality. The tales of the sjörå sparked his imagination and the images flowed from his pen. Acquaint yourself with this year’s stamp debutant.
Lasse’s enchanted world of images
stories about the sjörå were inspiring and appealing because the figure itself is quint essential and dreamlike. It’s unpredictable and uncontrollably primitive; you don’t know if it’ll contribute to fortunate events or cause sorrows, and that is both frightening and attractive to us humans. You could say that Vellamo in the Kalevala or the sirens in the Odyssey are the impulse for the sjörå itself,” Lasse explains.
“I also wanted to include many animals in the images, because I think it would be cool to be friends with nature’s wild animals, like the sjörå, and to be able to see the world from their perspective. The whooper swan has been close to extinction and thrives well on Åland, a lovely bird that was natural to include. The smooth snake also fit in nicely as snakes are both scary and
Lasse Harkkala has been working as a freelance illustrator since the early 1990s. Drawing and painting have always been important means of expression for him, but it was not until the age of 30 that painting became his main occupation. Having lived most of his life in Turku and Pargas, he moved to Åland 5 years ago.
16 • ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN
In addition to illustrating , Lasse has worked as a graphic designer and set designer for several amateur and pro fessional theaters in Finland, such as the Swedish speaking theatre in Turku, Teaterboulage and Espoo City Theatre. He paints or draws every day and would like to illustrate a children’s book, but still lacks a story. In the autumn, he made two paintings based on the Sjörå figure with no connection to mythology. You can see one of these above. Here, the viewer gets to create his own story from the image’s attributes.
fascinating. I included a newt as a new acquaintance to me. I happened to see a few in some freshwater pools when I strolled in Geta,” Lasse says.
Lasse signs his paintings with Japanese characters. “I started signing in ancient Chinese, having learnt it from a friend from Okinawa I met in Ireland, and have since switched to Japanese”, Lasse explains. MAXIMUM CARD NO. 137, STORIES & PRICE:€3.00MYTHSCODE: 445-202218
ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN • 17
Gun-Britt Engström, an avid stamp collector and postcrosser, lives on Vårdö in the Åland archipelago. She shares her stamp collecting hobby with enthusiasm.infectious
On the kitchen table lies today’s mail, a letter with stamps from a collector in China with whom Gun-Britt got in touch through her involvement in postcrossing.
“It’s always exciting to go to the mailbox to pick up the mail; sometimes there are 10-11 letters and cards. It’s fun to receive thick envelopes and communicate with
people from around the world. Language can be a hurdle, but with Google translate you go a long way,“ Gun-Britt says.
18 • ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN
“It’s exciting to go to the everymailboxday”
Having worked as a postman, she retired a number of years ago. This was when she became an active postcrosser, but she became interested in stamps much earlier:
Gun-Britt recommends the website catawiki.de, which lists all the stamps in the world. She uses it to search for information about stamps she has received or is interested in.
Gun-Britt has a separate room for all her albums where she also has a table for writing her cards.
“My interest is entirely on stamps and, through postcrossing, I’ve received many new stamps from all over the world. I guess it’s just from Hawaii I do not have that many. From time to time I also buy or receive stamp lots from acquaintances
A new batch of stamps is waiting to be sorted. Nowadays, Gun-Britt instantly sees if she already has a certain stamp.
ÅLAND POST FRIMÄRKEN • 19
and other collectors. My sister Solbritt and I usually go through the bags together. It often turns into late nights because it’s so much fun,” Gun-Britt chuckles.
We delve into some of her over 150 albums of stamps from all over the world; the German ones alone are well over 7000.
The Japanese stamps are some of Gun-Britt’s favorites.
“I look for beautiful motifs and I swop the stamps I’m not interested in. It is a fun hobby and, if you are interested in stamps, postcrossing is an excellent way to get in touch with other like-minded people,” Gun-Britt suggests.
To learn more about postcrossing, you can visit the website www.postcrossing.com.
“It really started when Åland got its own stamps in 1984. Since then, I collect all stamps, first day covers and yearbooks, among others. In 2016, I read an article about Hannele Ögård who told about post crossing. It sounded interesting, so I con tacted her and she helped me get started. So far, I’ve sent over 1300 cards. Everyone is so happy and curious when they receive cards with Åland stamps.”
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9.5 & Myths (maximum card) Stamp Day (maximum card)
Stories
1.6 Ål. Workers’ Educational Ass. 40 years 20.10 Christmas 2022 (maximum card) 18.6 Postal Boat Race 12.11 Mariehamn Rotary Club 75 years
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27.5 Sund 700 years 20.10 Hare
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Order the commemorative Postal Boat Race card with this year’s special and “over-the-sea” cancellations using the order coupon on p. 11. Last day of ordering and submitting your pre-franked and self-addressed covers to obtain the special cancel is 10 June (subject to the Race being arranged).
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Text Gunilla
Gunilla
exhibitions during the autumn of 2022: Tavastex in Hämeenlinna, Finland, 9–10 September, and NorrPhil22 in Täby, Sweden, 4–6 November. Current information available at www.alandstamps.com, subject to change.
Translation Kristine
June 16 May Europa – Stories & Myths (1), Åland Contemporary (booklet), Åland autonomy 100 years (miniature sheet), 1 maximum card
Special cancellations 2022
Notices
Outi
Åland
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