Join us for the new stamp year, which begins with watercolour art by Bo Lundwall, who tenderly illustrated treasures of the sea such as jellyfish and blue mussels. We also release classic boathouse motifs by Kjell Söderlund and the imaginary creation Magic island by Amanda Chanfreau. Stamp debutante Ksenija Chezhegova’s moped car adds speed, spirit and neon to the program.
In June 2025, the PostEurop Philatelic Forum will be held in Mariehamn, gathering postal administrations and industry players from all over Europe. Planning is in full swing, and we look forward to welcoming all participants to Åland.
Wishing you an inspiring and interesting stamp year 2025!
Johanna Finne Communications & design manager
Åland Post Stamps
Summer highlights
In June, Åland Post Stamps hosted the Nordic stamp managers’ annual meeting on the Klobben island in the Åland archipelago, providing an opportunity to exchange news, experience and knowledge.
The stamp exhibition at the Åland Museum of Cultural History attracted many interested visitors during the summer.
The 2024 Sepac conference was held in Liechtenstein, where Åland and other small postal services in Europe decided on future themes for the Sepac stamps.
The sea is omnipresent on Åland, and beneath the surface hides a fascinating world of life. Swedish artist Bo Lundwall has captured four organisms that live in the Åland waters on the 2025 franking labels, released on 3 February.
Life below the surface
Thriving in the Åland sea and coastal areas are some of the key species of the Baltic Sea, such as bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) and blue mussel (Mytilus edulis). On the 2025 franking labels they are joined by the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and common jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)
Artist Bo Lundwall approached the task with his usual attention to detail, giving the species a vivid and lifelike appearance.
“All four species were new to me, and it was a particular challenge to portray them in their underwater habitat. I received valuable help to study jellyfish, mussels and sticklebacks at the Tjärnö Marine Laboratory outside Strömstad and the Baltic Sea
Science Center in Stockholm. Observing the species in their environment and talking to the biologists about their characteristics is always rewarding. For the maximum card, I chose to paint the three-spined stickleback, the bladderwrack and the common jellyfish together to create an exciting environmental description with three species in the picture at the same time,” Bo says.
He harvested the bladderwrack on the east coast himself and studied it in his studio.
“The bladderwrack was a bit complicated to paint with its forked shape and shifting colours from light green to dark brown,” Bo recalls.
Bladderwrack is the largest algae of the Baltic Sea and thrives off the western and northern parts of Åland. Thanks to its air bladders, it stands upright in the water. During still nights of full moon, it releases millions of eggs and sperm which are fertilized and sink to the bottom where they attach to a clean surface. The fronds of bladderwrack grow on rocks, stones and even on larger mussel shells at depths from 2 to 10 meters if the water is clear. Bladderwrack belts are sometimes referred to as the ”forest of the Baltic Sea”, offering shelter and food to many other species.
The blue mussel competes with bladderwrack for places to attach. The mussel beds also play a significant role in the ecosystem of the Baltic Sea, and their presence is a good indicator of the health of the marine environment. The blue mussel has a triangular shell, the colour of which shifts from dark blue to black. The mussels that live in the Baltic Sea are a cross between two marine species and grow to only 1–4 cm long due to the low salinity. The small mussels feed on phytoplankton from which they filter water, thus acting as natural water purifiers.
When Bo first saw the jellyfish at Skansen Aquarium they were incredibly small, but already on his second visit two months later they had grown to 7–10 cm. This Finland’s only species of jellyfish is a fascinating creature. Scientists know surprisingly little about this pale pink, translucent jellyfish that is almost 100% water, even though it is a native species of the Baltic Sea. The thin, threadlike tentacles lining the bell margin are equipped with stinging cells (nematocysts) that help the jellyfish capture zooplankton. The circular gonads seen through the top of the bell are reproductive glands. The distribution of jellyfish varies greatly from year to year, but they are at their most numerous in late summer and autumn.
In the case of the three-spined stickleback, Bo depicted a female and a male in his red mating costume, acquired during the June breeding season. The male stickleback builds a nest on the seabed and takes care of the eggs until they hatch. The fish live in shoals outside the breeding season. This small fish grows to 4–10 cm in length and can be recognized by the three sharp spines on its back in front of the dorsal fin and the three spines on its ventral side. The body is covered in bony plates instead of scales. The stickleback population is found in the western coastal areas of Åland and has increased sharply in the Baltic Sea, potentially threatening pike and perch, the fry and eggs of which it likes to eat.
Sources: havet.nu, östersjön.fi
Bo Lundwall in his studio.
Franking labels, treasures of the sea
Date of issue: 3 February 2025
Artist: Bo Lundwall
Design: Johanna Finne
Denomination of series: 4 × €3.40
Size: 56 × 25 mm
Paper: 40 gms thermal paper
Process: 4-colour offset
Printer: Cartor Security Printers
The first day cancel shows a jellyfish while the special cancel illustrates a blue mussel.
Bo Lundwall is a Swedish illustrator focusing on animals and nature. His stamp design Parrot crossbill was voted the most beautiful Åland stamp in 2023.
@bolundwall
On 3 February, we launch the second part of the stamp series featuring Åland boathouse culture. Kjell Söderlund has photographed boathouses in a classic boathouse village in Eckerö and a new boathouse with personal style in Hammarland.
Boathouses with heritage and joy of carpentry
Käringsund is one of the oldest preserved fishing villages on Åland with origins stretching back to the 17th century. It is part of Storby in Eckerö and a reminder of a bygone era when herring fishing was the lifeblood for many villagers. Some thirty boathouses still stand around the lagoon-like bay by the Sea of Åland. These buildings also served as backdrops in several scenes in the Swedish TV series “Life on Seacrow Island” in the 1960s. Today, the fishing village is a popular destination. Among the boathouses we find gastropub Bodegan and - right next door –the Käringsund guest harbour. Perched on the hill above stands the Åland Hunting and Fishing Museum, completed in 1995 and constructed to imitate a row of boathouses.
One stamp shows two classic boathouses in the fishing village, characterized by their simple and functional architecture. Built on stone chests in the water with wooden boardwalks to land, they are large with tin roofs and windows and unpainted in the Åland way, having turned silver-grey over time.
In contrast to the boathouses in Eckerö, the second stamp shows a boathouse with an entirely different expression. In 2016–2017, owner Conny Häger built a boathouse in Bovik, Hammarland, that combines the joy of carpentry with traditional craftsmanship. Built of Åland pine, the boathouse measures 10 × 6 meters and has room for two boats.
He got the idea for the architecture of the boathouse from a friend who was into timber framing. Conny explains:
“It has a timber frame, and I was inspired by Norwegian log houses and churches. The construction entailed a lot of tinkering, and I had to use special tools to carve the ornate patterns in the wood.”
On the stamp and gutter of the sheet we also see a classic puttering fishing boat from the 1960s. Conny admits falling in love with the boat during a fishing trip in Sweden, buying it in 2018. To buy the boat, the boat owner demanded that he first get a boathouse.
Åland photographer Kjell Söderlund is one of Åland Post’s most commissioned photographers. His first stamp was issued in 2002, and, with this year’s boathouse motifs, he has now photographed over 30 stamp motifs.
462 & 463
Boathouses
Date of issue: 3 February 2025
Photographer: Kjell Söderlund
Design: Johanna Finne
Editions: 2 × 30 000
Denominations: Inrikes & €4.90
Stamp size: 35 × 35 mm
Sheet size: 199 × 296 mm
Stamps/sheet: 2 × 15 stamps
Paper: 110 g/m²
Perforation: 13 per 2 cm
Process: 4-colour offset
Printer: Cartor Security Printers
The first day cover and cancel both show a view of the boathouses in Käringsund.
Yearbook series ends
In October, we launched the 18th edition of the stamp book “A story through Åland stamps”, an edition that concludes our publication of yearbooks.
For 30 years, the yearbooks have been appreciated by collectors and friends of Åland alike for their unique combination of real stamps and in-depth stories. The 2024 yearbook is no exception and offers you new insights into life on Åland with highlights from the past year, with the stamps acting as portals to the history, nature, art and culture of these archipelago islands.
This year’s browser-friendly edition gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the craftsmanship behind the stamps
Archipelago and Jewellery art, created by artists Anette Gustafsson, Maria Karlström and Annika Åkerfelt. You can also discover the Åland boathouse culture and look back on four decades of Åland stamps.
As a special tribute to the last yearbook, you will also receive two exclusive cards with illustrations from the stamp issues Archipelago and Åland stamps 40 years, only available via the yearbook. The limited edition of books is 900, so, secure your copy today.
PS. Don’t miss the chance to complete your collection with previous editions of the stamp book. Check out the webshop at alandstamps.com
Åland Post’s “ Open Edition” series continues 19 March with a magically imaginative stamp edition by illustrator and tattoo artist Amanda Chanfreau with roots on Åland. She is the third artist to have had the opportunity to freely create an Åland motif.
The dream of the magical island
When choosing a motif for her stamp, Amanda Chanfreau decided on a recurring theme in her artistry.
“The sea fascinates me, and the relationship between above and below the surface is a theme I like to come back to. When I was given free rein to create a motif, this came spontaneously. I wanted to create something playful and inspiring, an image that arouses curiosity. In the motif, I’ve also included my parents’ house, my childhood home on Åland. I like to draw houses, too, and create small colonies of houses on the backs of animals and in other unexpected places. I hope people will enjoy it and think it’s a fun stamp,” Amanda says.
Amanda’s creative process for the stamp involved both digital and analogue techniques.
“I often start by digitally sketching on my iPad. Then I transfer the image to paper and continue with pencil to form shadows and details. In this case, I proceeded digitally to colour and add all the details. In this way, I retain a bit of the analogue feel in the image, as hand-drawn parts remain,
and you can sense the texture of the paper,” she explains.
This is not Amanda’s first time working with Åland Post. Her first commission was a series of postal stationery cards in 2011 on an Åland summer theme, and in 2013, she designed a stamp featuring Peacock butterfly. Reflecting on how her style has evolved over the years, she says:
“I’ve become more confident in my expression as an illustrator. Nowadays, I dare to be bold and don’t question myself as much anymore. I embrace my inner child and draw for her, and it seems to be well received by others as well.”
Amanda Chanfreau was born in Helsinki and grew up in Mariehamn on Åland. She travelled a lot for a few years and lived in Mexico, among other places. Today, she lives in Malmö, Sweden, and is part-owner of the Malört tattoo studio where she creates tattoos alongside her other assignments.
Her artistic education began with the art program at the Åland Folk High School, and she has also studied visual art, textile art and tattooing in Sweden. As an artist with many strings to her bow, she has devoted herself to painting, sculpture, photography, video, and performance, among many other things.
“Having studied art, I first worked as a freelance artist. Illustration assignments began to appear and became a natural part of my profession. About twelve years ago I also started tattooing. I found it was an exciting medium for creating artwork and an interesting craft to learn.”
As for her artistic style, movement and development are always present. She explains:
“I like going places, learning new things, and challenging myself. I often notice that the figures I draw are rarely still, they always have something going on. But, when I create, I want peace and quiet, and preferably a lot of time. I like to sketch big pictures that I can work on for a really long time.”
Recently, Amanda has focused on children’s book illustrations, a type of assignment that took off after the success of her debut book “Giraffe Island”, which she created together with her sister Sofia. The book was nominated for several awards and won the 2022 Finlandia Prize in Children’s and Youth literature. In March 2024, her second illustrated book was published, the chapter book “Let’s go see the dragon” by Susanna Martelin.
“I’m working on my third illustrated children’s book right now. It’s a picture book with text by Åland author Carina Karlsson,” Amanda says.
About Open Edition
First in the series was Finnish art photographer Christoffer Relander’s stamp Bark boat in a jar in 2023, followed by visual artist Carolina Sundelin’s stamp art On the islet. In July 2024, Bark boat in a jar was honoured with the Italian Academy of Philately and Postal History Award for Creativity at the 54th Asiago International Award for Philatelic Art as the most innovative stamp design of the year. The jury’s motivation read: “The prize is awarded to Åland Post for giving an artist full creative freedom and photographer Christoffer Relander for creating an evocative image that is both realistic and dreamlike.”
Amanda illustrated the Peacock butterfly for the 2013 Sepac series.
Amanda Chanfreau (b. 1983) is an Åland illustrator and tattoo artist living in Sweden. This is her second stamp for Åland Post. @amandachanfreau
Magical island
Date of issue: 19 March 2025
Artist: Amanda Chanfreau
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: 13 per 2 cm
Process: 4-colour offset
Printer: Cartor Security Printers
Moped cars, also known as quadricycles, are a familiar sight on the Åland roads, where an estimated one in three young people between the ages of 15 and 17 cruise around in these vehicles. On 19 March, Åland Post focuses on this symbol of youth with a stamp illustrated by local artist Ksenija Chezheghova.
Freedom on four wheels
The moped car, which is classified as a moped despite its car-like design, has become a popular means of transport among young people. With two seats and a top speed of 45 km/h, it may be driven from 15 years of age. Out of a total of 43,200 motor vehicles registered on Åland in 2023, more than 2,500 were mopeds and moped cars.
Ksenija Chezhegova makes her debut as a stamp artist with this issue and shares her thoughts on the assignment:
“I was very happy and felt a sense of pride and responsibility to be entrusted with the task. I haven’t drawn many vehicles before, so, I was looking forward to the challenge. I first thought of freedom and relationships. A moped car is more than its physical components. A big part of having a moped car is cruising with your friends. You often drive several cars one after another, playing loud music. The moped car symbolizes freedom and the social web of relationships formed between young people as they hang out. I wanted to capture that feeling of freedom.”
She decided on a simple composition with a clear focal point. She explains: “Since the stamp is so small, I didn’t want to clutter the image, so, I chose a simple composition with only the white car, a passenger and an Åland touch through the red granite road and blue sky in the background. To enhance the white car, I used a pastel colour scale. Youth is full of vibrant and emotional experiences, and I wanted the colour scheme to reinforce and support the story of the stamp.”
Ksenija recently graduated from Åland Lyceum. She plans to study animation and dreams of becoming a children’s book illustrator.
“Art has always been a big part of my life. I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil and, as a child, I was very inspired by Japanese manga and anime. In recent years, I have also delved into other art forms, such as crocheting and jewellery making. I classify my style as semi-realism, where I combine realism with artificial and stylistic improvisations and interpretations of the drawing object,” she explains.
465
Moped car
Date of issue: 19 March 2025
Artist: Ksenija Chezheghova
Design: Rebecka Lundén & Johanna Finne
Edition: 30 000
Denomination: €6
Stamp size: 35 × 35 mm
Sheet size: 199 × 296 mm
Stamps/sheet: 2 × 15 stamps
Paper: 110 g/m²
Perforation: 13 per 2 cm
Process: 5-colour offset
Printer: Cartor Security Printers
Ksenija Chezheghova lives in Mariehamn on Åland. She has created illustrations for a student guide for high school Åland Lyceum, among other things. ksenijachezhegova.wixsite.com/ksenija-
The first day cancel shows a key chain through which young people display their individuality.
We help you collect Finnish stamps
Did you know that Åland Post is an official dealer of Finnish stamps? In the webshop at alandstamps.com, you will find all Finnish stamps and year packs currently for sale, from 2017 onwards. Posti Finland sells the stamps by the sheet, but from us, you always have the option of buying the stamps by motif series. Please note that all Finnish stamps are self-adhesive.
Welcome to explore our assortment today!
We reserve the right for price and postage changes as well as information errors. All prices listed exclusive of VAT. See delivery conditions & fees at alandstamps.com.
SYMBOLS
2025 issues
3 February Treasures of the sea Franking labels, 4 motifs, 1 maximum card 3 February
9 May Sepac - architecture
9 May Europa - archaeological discovery
stamp
stamp 9 June Children’s Åland Booklet of 8 stamps, 4 motifs, 1 maximum card
9 June Flowers Postal stationery cards, series of 4 25 August Gustaf Erikson Shipping Company archives 1 stamp, 1 maximum card
23 October Horse Miniature sheet of 1 motif, 1 maximum card
2025 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.
23 October Christmas 2025 + Christmas seals 2 stamps, sheet of 20 self-adhesive seals alandstamps.com
Åland Post Ltd Stamps PO box 1100 AX-22111 Mariehamn ÅLAND, Finland
