This year’s stamp booklet invites you to a seasonal stroll along the Esplanade in Mariehamn, the lime tree avenue that has earned the town the epithet “town of the thousand lime trees”. The date of issue is 4 September.
FOUNDED in 1861, the Mariehamn town plan included both a north-south and an east-west esplanade. The latter runs from the Western Harbour to the town square in the centre and is today the dominant of the two. Mariehamn Church is located at the intersection of the northern and western esplanades.
ORIGINALLY FILLED with alder, birch and pine, the Esplanade is today lined with some 320 common limes (Tilia x europaea). The first lime trees were planted in the early 1900s, a decision that was heatedly debated between those who favoured fine hardwood in straight lines on perfectly manicured lawns and those who advocated the avenue remain a natural meadow. The oldest trees are over 100 years old and stand in the eastern end of the Esplanade, whereas the lime trees closer to the Western Harbour are around 35-40 years old.
From the church to the Western Harbour, you also find a row of Norway maples. The trees are now in poor condition, many of them having passed their life expectancy. Additionally, pruning in the 1960s has caused problems, the tough trimming has contributed to wood rot, especially in the crowns. Steps are being taken to ensure revivification.
STROLLING along the Esplanade, you will see magnificent old shipowners’ villas and several works of art. The most recent is a 2018 memorial by Juha Pykäläinen to Gunnar and Ellen Eklund, co-founders of shipping company Viking Line. Adorning the first day cancel you see the 1991 stone sculpture erected next to the church. Ukri Merikanto’s sculpture ‘Anadyomene’ illus trates the theme islands of peace.
Source: Boken om Mariehamn, by Folke Wickström/ Jerker Örjans 2011
FDC FOUR SEASONS
PRICE: € 7.20 CODE: 416-000405
On 4 September, a stamp focuses on the Åland police. Law enforcement is one area that falls within the competence of the Åland autonomy. Still, the Åland police largely resembles the police force in Finland, but uses its own insignia depicting the Åland coat of arms on uniforms and vehicles.
THE POLICE is regulated by the Government of Åland, and the Åland police more or less performs the same tasks as the local police in Finland. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Finnish Security Intelligence Service are administrated by the Åland team of NBI, and the Åland governor represents the national police administration.
THE LATEST data on reported offences in Åland show that crimes against property, i.e. various types of larceny, fraud and embezzling, were most common in 2018, followed by traffic offences. 72 % of crimes against property and 98 % of traffic offences were cleared up.
DAILY REPORTS of the Åland Police provide some insight into their workday: 8 March 2020 06.44 hrs
12 October 2019 17.35 hrs
During the day, police officers took part in a running race, supervised deer hunting in the countryside, performed breathalyzer tests; a peace disturbing person arrested; assisted on two minor road accidents etc.
9 August 2019 06.28 hrs
Police patrols encountered no mischief. Person woken up by a patrol a little worse for wear and with staggering legs. Was brought home and tucked in bed.
The police received a phone call to remem ber this morning. Caller reported having seen a white kangaroo hopping along the Hammarland main road, also swore that he was sober. A police patrol went to the location and can verify that the caller was of sound mind. So, if anyone is missing a kangaroo or knows the owner, please get in touch with the police.
Sources: Statistics and Reseach Åland, www.polisen. ax (Police press releases modified for lack of space)
FDC ÅLAND POLICE
PRICE: € 2.30 CODE: 416-000406
Kjell Söderlund has photographed Åland from all angles, from tiny ridged potato chips to awesome sceneries. Acquaint yourself with one of Åland Post’s most trusted photographers who took the photos for two of this year’s stamp issues.
Söderlund has worked as a professional photographer for over 20 years and is fre quently commissioned to take pictures for product and company presentations.
HIS CAREER as a stamp photographer began in 2002 with an image of the artwork Radar by Stefan Lindfors for the Nordic theme Contemporary art. Since the series of scenery stamps in 2005, he has been a more or less permanent contributor. So far, he has shot images for 28 stamps and 2 series of postal stationery cards for Åland Post. Stamp commissions have var ied from sea cliffs and lighthouses to toys and champagne, but Kjell has enjoyed the challenges, he reveals:
“All commissions have been interesting in each their own way, being so different. Shooting for the series of Åland scenery was stimulating; having to sum up each municipality in one photo made the search for a typical setting fun. Trying to illustrate Björn Ulvaeus’ feelings for Kökar was also great fun. Adding the time pressure, it was all extremely exciting. And the fact that we ended up having the most magical weather made it all the better.”
WHAT MUST BE considered when photographing for a stamp? Above all, the construction of the image calls for reflection, Kjell explains:
“In a larger image, there is room for more details. As you know, stamps are tiny, so,
Kjell finds it difficult to choose one stamp he is particularly satisfied with. Still, some favourites are the Champagne stamp (2011), Alie Lindberg’s grand piano (Europa 2014), My Åland - Björn Ulvaeus (2016) and Optinova’s tubing (2020).
you must simplify the composition and con struct the image using the large elements. It is important to reduce the image to stamp size every so often to check if it works.”
THIS YEAR’S photo commissions stand in stark contrast with each other. Kjell describes his approaches to the minimal plastic tubing and the four seasons:
“Shooting the four seasons was challeng ing, seeing that the Esplanade is big and holds much detail. I found many interesting photo angles but, to clearly illustrate the change of the seasons and recognize the Esplanade, I shot four photos from the same angle as the year passed. For product photos such as the tubing of Optinova, I can build up the appearance in any way
I like. In this case, I tried to play with forms and colours to create a picture with a light sentiment.”
THE THEME , of course, highly influ ences the possibilities and preconditions for creating the best stamp photos, Kjell points out:
“Photos of nature are challenging since you capture whatever the weather and light present to you at a particular moment in time whereas, in a studio, I’m in complete control of the motif and lighting. The image of the Optinova tubing was easy to photo graph, seeing that I could keep on working until I got the desired result. Nature doesn’t comply quite as easily with the wishes of the photographer!”
Kjell behind the camera, shooting photos for the 2019 annual report of Åland Post.
Photo: Johanna Finne
Artist and skipper Allan Palmer has created several remarkable Åland stamps. Take this chance to own a unique collection.
Delight in stamp art from the hands of popular Allan Palmer. With this thematic pack you acquire all the sailing ship stamps, i.e. Albanus, Ingrid and Pamir from 1988, as well as the 12 vessels issued 2015-2020. Also included are the attractive 1992 lighthouse booklet and the 1995 booklet featuring cargo vessels from the archipelago. Allan’s scope as an artist is also manifest in the memorable 1989 orchid stamps featuring elder-flowered orchid, narrow-leaved helleborine and lady’s slipper and in the enjoyable Åland folk costume stamps from 1993. Order today; the thematic pack holds 31 stamps issued between 1988 and 2020.
Available to order already now is also another delightful motif pack based on the various types of transport by land and air perpetuated on Åland stamps over the years. Of course, the pack includes the 1999 and 2007 airplane stamps, the 2005 vintage car booklet, the bus stamps from 2012 as well as classical vehicles such as fire-truck (1987), postal vehicle (2013), lorry (2017) and police van (2020). In the motif pack you will also find other means of transport represented such as horse and wagon (2006), kick sledge (2004), bicycle (1991) and scooter (1998). Delivered after 4 September, you will acquire a total of 24 stamps inserted in a practical pocket.
THEMATIC PACK: ALLAN PALMER
PRICE: € 38.00 CODE: 328-202035
THEMATIC PACK: TRANSPORT BY AIR AND LAND
PRICE: € 27.00 CODE: 328-202036
311-202001/ 352-202001
ISSUED e
Franking labels, Wildflowers, series of 4/ Postcard (1 motif, brown knapweed) 3.2. 2020 6.80
301-000398 Sailing ships, Mozart 3.2. 2020 1.30
301-000399 Sailing ships, Viking 3.2. 2020 1.80
301-000400 Sepac - Artwork in national collection 5.3. 2020 1.40
301-000401 My Stamps - DunderDans, mini-sheet (8 x Europa) 8.5. 2020 14.40
301-000402 Europa - Ancient postal routes (Världen) 8.5. 2020 2.00
301-000403 Medical and industrial tubing (Inrikes) 5.6. 2020 1.70
301-000404 Nordic - Mammals (bat) 5.6. 2020 1.00
301-000405 Four seasons, booklet (8 x Lokalpost) 4.9. 2020 12.80
301-000406 Åland police 4.9. 2020 1.50
301-000407 Oxen, miniature sheet (2 x €1) 23.10. 2020 2.00
301-000408 Christmas 2020 (Julpost) 23.10. 2020 1.00
301-00409 Christmas 2020 (Världen) 23.10. 2020 2.00
POSTCARD AMOUNT
416-000405 FDC Four seasons 4.9. 2020 7.20
416-000406 FDC Åland police 4.9. 2020 2.30
416-000407 FDC Oxen 23.10. 2020 2.80
416-000408 Christmas 2020 23.10. 2020 3.80
445-202019 Maximum card no. 128, Ox 23.10. 2020 2.80
445-202020 Maximum card no. 129, Ox 23.10. 2020 2.80
328-202035 Thematic pack: Allan Palmer 1988-2020 38.00 328-202036 Thematic pack: Transport by air & land 27.00
CODE STAMPS
ISSUED e AMOUNT
610-112384 Posti art award 2019, 2 motifs 11.9.2019 3.20
610-112386 Forest hike, 2 motifs 11.9.2019 3.20 610-112389 Kalle Päätalo 100 years 11.9.2019 1.60 610-112390 Calla 11.9.2019 1.60 610-112534 Christmas sauna 6.11.2019 1.10
610-112535 Christmas concert 6.11.2019 1.60 610-112536 Christmas concert, booklet 6.11.2019 8.00 610-112537 Winter wonders 6.11.2019 1.70 610-112538 Snowflakes 6.11.2019 1.60 610-112630 Colours of Friendship, booklet 22.1.2020 9.60 610-112631 #OURSEA, booklet 22.1.2020 9.60 610-112632
Mannerheim League for Child Welfare 100 years, 2 motifs 22.1.2020 3.20 610-112650 Chirp Chirp, 2 motifs 12.3.2020 3.20 610-112652 Birds from a Spring Poem, miniature sheet 12.3.2020 6.40 610-112653 Two Hearts 12.3.2020 1.60
Enchanted Forest, 2 motifs 6.5.2020 3.20 Blue Reflection 6.5.2020 1.60
Europa - Ancient postal routes 6.5.2020 1.70
CODE PRODUCTS
ISSUED e NUMBER AMOUNT 627-112531 Year pack 2019 109,00 TOTAL
On 23 October, we set out towards the Year of the Oxen. Martin Mörck’s lovely miniature sheet is the seventh issue in the stamp series illustrating Chinese horoscope animals with an Åland twist.
OXEN were the first draft animals to be used in farming and, once upon a time, so even by Åland farmers. Larger homesteads kept oxen in addition to horses since they could push through wet soil more easily.
OXEN dominated in the 1800s, but some were still working for Åland farmers in the 1930s. As models for this year’s miniature sheet, artist Martin Mörck used photos from the 1920s of farmer Lennart Karlsson’s working oxen. He farmed the Jonesas homestead in Önningeby, Jomala, the old-fashioned way. During the second world war, when horses were scarce, oxen saved the farmers once again, but the last oxen in Åland apparently went to the butchers in the early 1950s. Still, the chief draught animal used in Åland agriculture has been the horse, that was ousted by the tractor in the early 1960s.
AGRICULTURE in Åland developed slowly as the sea was more alluring. Worsening conditions in the 1880s in creased interest in agriculture, stock-raising and dairy industry above all. Back then, rye was the domineering crop, and potatoes were primarily cultivated for subsistence.
IN CHINESE culture, the ox is a valued animal symbolizing hard work, determina tion and honesty, among others. In this year’s miniature sheet, artist Martin Mörck’s fifth design in the stamp series, he has integrated a few Chinese elements. The flower garlands worn by the oxen illustrate just how valuable and loved they are, and on the potato sacks you will find the Chinese character for potato.
Source: Det åländska samhället, Kurt Lindh 1998
FDC OXEN
PRICE: € 2.80 CODE: 416-000407
Tastefully designed by illustrator Alexander Lindén, this year’s Christmas stamps indulge in some of the treats that are traditional elements of Åland Christmas. Date of issue is 23 October.
THE WORD GLOGG, known since 1609, means to warm up. Glogg has been a Christmas tradition since the 1900s, but hot mulled wine has its roots as far back as the classical era. The most common spices in glogg are cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and bitter orange, and it is tradition ally enjoyed with raisins and almonds. In former times, raisins provided sweetness and flavour to the drink, but the introduction of almonds into the glogg glass is shrouded in mystery.
ALMOND is, however, a taste associated with Christmas. It is added to ‘knäck’ toffee, a type of Christmas treat that has tagged along for many years along with other treats such as ice-chocolate, crackers, gingerbread and star-shaped pastries. Here is some inspiration for this year’s Christmas baking:
2 dl heavy cream, 2 dl sugar, 2 dl syrup Mix and simmer in a saucepan until a few drops of the mix hardens in cold water at approx. 125 C. Add 1 dl chopped almonds. Pour mixture in waxed paper cups or greased baking tin. Leave to cool.
2 eggs, 400 g sugar, 3 dl syrup, 3 dl heavy cream and 3 dl melted butter
2 tsp each of cardamum, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and bitter orange
3 tsp baking soda
750 g wheat flour (coarse)
500 g wheat flour (special)
Prepare dough the day prior to baking. Mix all ingredients well in the order mentioned before adding flour. Roll out thin, use cutters and bake in 200 C. The cookies burn easily.
FDC CHRISTMAS 2020
PRICE: € 3.80 CODE: 416-000408
Airmail was introduced between Turku and Stockholm via Mariehamn in July 1929. Two stamps on the theme postal airplanes were issued on 1 March 2007.
During the 1900s, postal services developed significantly, partly through the introduction of new technology, and the Åland province assumed responsibility of the postal administration.
IN THE YEARS following the first world war, steamboat traffic grew steadily between Stockholm and Turku via Mariehamn and the Åland archipelago. As of 1948, Åland had more or less daily postal connections. Departing from Stockholm/Turku in the evening, the vessels arrived at night, and the mail was winched ashore in large wire nets that were emtied into an open lorry on the quay. Car ferries were not employed on the Mariehamn-Turku route until 1964, and then only when the so-called night ships did not call at Mariehamn. The night ship traffic ceased in the late 1960s. The mail to Åland from Sweden was then sent by plane while mail in the opposite direction was conveyed by ferry.
POSTAL transports by plane on the route Turku-Mariehamn-Stockholm began already
in 1929, but only in the summer. As of 1938, air transports functioned regularly all year round.
LOCALLY , private buses were employed for the transport of mail in the 1930s, but the Post also deployed its own postal coach, the service of which ceased in 1989. For the mail to be delivered at least by after noon, most of the mail was soon distributed by the post’s own vehicles. Letter boxes for private households became standard in the 1960s except for Jurmo and Sottunga that joined in 1991.
MAIL TO the archipelago islands was shipped by motorboat until the 1960s, when the first car ferries appeared that could carry the mail. Degerby in Föglö was the only post office that received mail
directly from the Stockholm ferry until 1962. As late as the 1980s, archipelago mail would also be carried by pick-up trucks in periods of solid ice.
THE NEW Åland Autonomy Act came into force in 1993 and the Åland Govern ment took over the postal services, making Åland Post an independent postal administration. It was established that each municipality should have a postal outlet. In the course of time, the business developed with more postal flights to Turku and postal lorries that picked up and dropped off mail at Arlanda Airport. The series of articles on postal conveyance will be wrapped up in the November-edition of Åland Post Stamps.
Sources: Åland Post 350 years, by Jari Karhu/Torsten Wikstrand 1988; Det åländska samhället, Kurt Lindh 1998
The first postal coach in Åland was a Sisu that operated on the route MariehamnBomarsund-Geta-Mariehamn between 1947 and 1960. Two stamps featuring buses were issued on 19 September 2012.
To celebrate the new postal administration, a miniature sheet designed by Martin Mörck was issued on 1 March 1993.
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No. Åland Post abides by the customs regu lations and the value of the contents must appear on each shipment. Please note that deliveries from Åland are exempt of VAT, seeing that Åland stands outside the EU VAT zone. Thus, VAT and customs duties may be levied in the destination country. However, procedures differ between countries. Åland
Unfortunately, that is not possible. The handling of supplementary orders differs from that of standing order deliveries.
Åland Post’s cooperation with Posti Finland makes it easy for you to collect both Åland and Finnish stamps in mint as well as cancelled condition. You will find the most recent stamp issues from Finland on the order coupon on page 11 as well as in the web shop. Please note that all Finnish stamps are self-adhesive.
May I ask Åland Post to not state the value of contents of your shipments to me?
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SUBSCRIPTION €1.00 €1.50
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Handling fees as of 1 January 2020. Your order may be subject to taxes. We do not charge postage.
(NOTE! PRELIMINARY TIME OF DELIVERY)
DELIVERY
DEADLINE SUBS. CHANGES CONTENTS
October September Four seasons (booklet), Police (1), Christmas (2), Oxen (miniature sheet), 2 maximum cards
September August Sepac folder no. 11
The times of delivery are also listed at www.alandstamps.com.
A list of all exhibitions in which Åland Post takes part is available at www.alandstamps.com. We reserve the right to changes. Designed by artist Catharina Nygård, the 2020 exhibition products focus on Olympic sports.
NORDIA
FRIMÄRKSMÄSSAN Malmö, Sweden 4–6 September Helsinki, Finland 22–25 October
POSTCARD FESTIVAL
INT. BRIEFMARKEN-BÖRSE
Hämeenlinna, Finland 12 September Sindelfingen, Germany 29–31 October
Visit www.alandstamps.com to check the most recent list of cancellations. Illustrations are added subse quently. To obtain special cancellations on your own pre-franked and self-addressed mail items, please send them to us in good time prior to the actual cancellation date.
9.10 STAMP DAY 23.10 OXEN (MAXIMUM CARDS)
ÅLAND POST Ltd STAMPS PO Box 1100 AX-22111 MARIEHAMN ÅLAND, Finland
TELEPHONE Domestic: 018 636 641 International: +358 18 636 641 Telephone hours (GMT +2 h): Mon–Fri 9 am – 3 pm E-MAIL stamps@alandpost.com
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Domestic: 018 636 608 International: +358 18 636 608
VISITING ADDRESS
Flygfältsvägen 10, Sviby, Jomala
EDITORS Heidemarie Eriksson Gunilla Häggblom Outi Bergman
TEXT Gunilla Häggblom
TRANSLATION
Kristine Lybeck Sund
LAYOUT Outi Bergman PRODUCTION
April Kommunikation Grano
Prices and information in this publication are subject to change.