Stamp Issue at 02/01/2007: Dazzling Peonies in a Green Summer Setting (02/21/2007)
By Horse and Sleigh to the Christmas Service (09/26/2006)
The 2006 Christmas stamp is reminiscent of the Åland Christmas
traditions of past times, when people used to ride by horse and sleigh to the
early service on Christmas Day below the sparkling starry sky.
The stamp is designed by the Finnish artist Päivi Mansikka-aho. It shows a
family returning home by horse and sleigh from the early Christmas service at
the church of Finström. The church was also a stamp motif in 1989.
The sky on the stamp is covered with glittering hologram stars. The denomination
is 'Christmas Postage 06', and this is the first Åland stamp of this
denomination. 'Christmas Postage 06' implies that the stamp may be used as
postage for Christmas greetings within Åland and to Finland and Sweden (equivalent
to €0.50) during a limited period in November and December.
In connection with the issue of this beautiful Christmas stamp, we also issue a
first day cover decorated by a lantern, and a collector's sheet featuring a
young stable girl. |
More Information at the
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Date of issue 9 October 2006
Artist Päivi Mansikka-aho
Denomination Christmas Postage 06
Issue 450 000
Price FDC (not signed) €1.00
Price collector's sheet €5.10 |
Size of stamp 26 x 35.40 mm
Size of sheet 2 x 20 stamps
Perforation 13 per 2 cm
Paper 110 g/m²
Printing method 4-colour offset
Printing house Cartor Security Printing |
Tattoos – Traditional Body Art (09/26/2006)
The art of tattooing is one of the oldest forms of art in human
history. The tradition of decorating your body with tattoos has been practised
in Åland for a long time. In September, we issue a stamp booklet featuring three
different types of tattoos, presented in an Åland archipelago setting.
The photographer Lasse Kärkkäinen has photographed these works of body art. He
alsotook the photos for last year's popular stamp booklet showing Åland vintage
cars. The booklet holds nine stamps featuring three completely different types
of tattoos. In the middle of the 19th century, Åland seamen started to sail to
Europe, and it was probably during this period that the so-called seaman's
tattoos became more and more common. The seaman's tattoo featured on the stamp
can be seen on the seaman Mikael Sandholm’s right forearm. It shows a ship, the
flag of Åland and the text 'Sailor's grave'.
On the second stamp, we see the tribal tattoo on Thomas Dahlgren's upper left
arm. The tattoo was designed by Thomas himself, encircling the mark of Thomas's
family homestead 'Jippa' in Karlby, Kökar. The third stamp shows Linda Åberg's
tattoo. She had it made in memory of the tsunami catastrophe in Thailand in
December 2004, which she survived. A beautiful flower design winds along-side
her body and the text reads 'forever in my memory' in Thai. |
  
More Information at the
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Date of issue 7 September 2006
Photographer Lasse Kärkkäinen
Issue 200 000 booklets
Denomination 9 x €0.65
Price booklet €5.85
Price FDC €2.45
Price collector’s sheet €6.55 |
Size of stamps 23.83 x 52 mm
Size of booklet 87 x 52 mm; 3 x 3 stamps
Perforation 14 per 2 cm
Paper stamps 102 g/m²; cover 200 g/m²
Printing method 4-colour offset
Printing house Österreichische Staatsdruckerei |
Director Åke Lindman's Åland (07/14/2006)
The series of 'celebrity stamps' from the Åland
Post, 'My Åland', continues this year with an issue by the Finland-Swedish
director and actor Åke Lindman.
Lindman, who was born in 1928, is known as an actor as well as a director. So
far, he has directed 24 films and had 77 film roles. He even used to be a
prominent football player and was on the Finnish national team 1947–1955,
playing a total of 26 international matches. Actually, his first visit to Åland
was in connection with a football match. Helsinki IFK then met IFK Mariehamn in
a friendly match.
However, Åke became more known to the Ålanders when he directed the television
series 'Maja from Stormskär' in the middle of the 1970s. The novels about 'Maja
from Stormskär' were written by the Åland author Anni Blomqvist.
More Information at the
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Date of issue 4 August 2006
Design Åke Lindman/ Cecilia Mattsson
Photographer Matti Penttilä
Issue 300 000
Denomination € 0.75
Price FDC € 1.25
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Price collector's sheet € 5.35
Size of stamp 31.75 x 36.51 mm
Size of sheet 2 x 15 stamps
Perforation 13 per 2 cm
Paper 110 g/m²
Printing method 4-colour offset
Printing house Cartor Security Printing |
Åland Scenery in Lemland and Sottunga (07/14/2006)
Two new stamps will be issued in the 'Åland scenery' series even
this year. One of the stamps features the municipality of Lemland, the other
motif was found in Sottunga, the smallest municipality of Finland. Lemland is
the southernmost municipality on main Åland and is completely surrounded by the
sea. To the northwest, Lemland borders on the municipality of Jomala by the
beautiful Lemström canal, and to the east, Lemland borders on Lumparland by the
sound of Lumparsund.
With its approx. 1 700 inhabitants, the municipality of Lemland is the fastest
growing municipality of Åland, much thanks to its proximity to Mariehamn. The
stamp shows an enchanting view of a grove at dawn on a windless November morning.
The photo was taken in Lemland Söderby by Erkki Santamala.
Sottunga is a small island community in the eastern archipelago of Åland. With
its 134 inhabitants, Sottunga is the smallest municipality of both Åland and
Finland. The ferry service from Sottunga to main Åland is good. A trip between
Sottunga and Långnäs in Lumparland takes about an hour. The stamp shows a flat
rock in Norra Essvik, photographed by Kjell Söderlund on a summer evening.
Date of issue 4 August 2006
Photographer Erkki Santamala (Lemland)
Kjell Söderlund (Sottunga)
Design Cecilia Mattsson
Issue 300 000
Denomination € 0.55; € 1.20
Price FDC € 1.05; € 1.70
Price collector's sheet € 5.15; € 5.80
Size of stamp 31.75 x 36.51 mm
Size of sheet 2 x 15 stampsMore Information at the
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My Stamps – Lasting Memories (05/23/2006)
Create your own stamps
Private persons, associations and commercial companies now have the possibility
of ordering their very own stamps with a motif of their own choice! As of 26
May, the Åland Post offers its customers the possibility to choose their own
stamp motifs.
The order must be placed on the Post’s web site on the Internet. My stamps are
delivered in booklets holding 8 self-adhesive stamps. A minimum order is three
booklets.
The Post will have its own motif for the 'My stamps' issue, a little girl
posting her letter in one of the Post's new letter boxes. This photo was taken
by Kjell Söderlund. All 'My stamps' will have an identical frame. The first
frame was designed by Cecilia Mattsson. The Post's booklet will be included in
the 2006 Year Set.
Date of issue 26 May 2006
Design, stamp Cecilia Mattsson
Photographer Kjell Söderlund
Design, frame Cecilia Mattsson
Denomination 8 x 1st class
Price FDC €1.15
Price collector's sheet €5.25More Information at the
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New Issue of Åland: Europa Stamp on Integration (04/07/2006)
The 2006 Europa stamp theme is 'Integration through the eyes of
children'. The Åland Europa stamp has been designed by Andreas Dienert.
Immigrating to a foreign country can be quite a bewildering experience for a
child. Children's perception
of the situation often differs from that of adults. With the Europa stamp issued
by the Åland Post, the artist Andreas Dienert presents his interpretation of the
joint theme.
He has chosen to paint a young boy, who proudly puts his staff down between the
rocks and cliffs in Åland and declares himself king of his new country. No
matter where you go or how young you may be, it is important to be able to feel
safe and secure.
Date of issue 4 May 2006
Artist Andreas Dienert
Edition 300 000
Denomination €1.30
Size of stamp 32 x 36.5 mm |
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New Issue: Åland Demilitarization Commemorated (03/28/2006)
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In 2006, 150 years have passed since Åland was demilitarized. The Post
focuses on the anniversary by issuing a beautiful stamp depicting the ruins of
the Bomarsund fortress.
Date of issue: 29 March 2006
Design: Cecilia Mattsson
Photographer: Robert Jansson
Edition: 300 000
Denomination: €1.50
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New Issue: The ‘Letesgubbe’ – A Mythical Being (03/28/2006)
The second part of the three-part Nordic series of miniature
sheets on the theme Nordic mythology features “mythical beings”. The Åland
miniature sheet shows a ‘letesgubbe’.
Letesgubbar were mythical beings who lived in the archipelago. By banging walls,
jangling and throwing objects to attract people's attention, they warned for
oncoming storms.
Date of issue: 29 March 2006
Artist: Juha Pykäläinen
Edition: 200 000 sheets
Denomination: € 0.85
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New Issue: Women's Suffrage in Finland 100 Years (02/24/2006)
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As the first country in the world, Finland introduced universal
suffrage and equal eligibility for women in 1906. The Åland Post now focuses on
this occasion by issuing a stamp on the theme "Women's suffrage 100 years" on 8
March, the international women's day.
In 2006, it has been 100 years since women in Finland were granted the right to
vote. Finland was thus the first country in Europe to introduce universal
suffrage, and the first country in the world to even have equal eligibility for
women, that is to say the right to stand for the Finnish parliament. As early as
1893, New Zealand introduced universal suffrage; however, women could still not
stand for election.
The stamp was designed by the artist Henrika Lax. She was born in 1971, and she
lives in Helsinki and Lemland in Åland. She explains her choice of stamp motif:
"The stamp shows a girl screaming out her joy of living. The little girl
symbolizes the past and the future. A child is the product of the tender care
and work of past generations. The girl carries with her the good inheritance for
which her female 'ancestors' have fought; however, the child also leads your
thoughts towards the future. As an adult, she can make her voice heard in the
fight for more equality in the world." |
Date of issue 8 March 2006
Artist Henrika Lax
Edition 300 000
Denomination € 0.85
Price FDC (unsigned) € 1.35
Price collector's sheet€ 5.45
Size of stamps 31.74 x 36.51 mm
Size of sheet 2 x 15 stamps
Perforation 13 per 2 cm
Paper 110 g/m²
Printing method 5-colour offset
Printing house Cartor Security Printing
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Delightful Postal Stationery 2006 (01/28/2006)
Our special occasions series next focuses on Valentine’s Day,
celebrated 14 February.
Valentine's Day is a tradition with roots in medieval England. This day was
instituted to commemorate Valentine, a Christian Roman bishop in the third
century. He was executed for marrying young couples – something which was
prohibited by the Emperor. Tradition has it that, before his execution, he
succeeded in smuggling out a card to the jailer's daughter with whom he was in
love. This was supposedly the first Valentine's Day card.
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| This year’s piece of postal stationery is a beautiful postcard,
which has been designed by the artist Talvikki Canin. The motif on the card is a
large heart and a beautiful rose, two very important symbols of love and
Valentine's Day. The post-paid symbol is a heart and so is the first day cancel,
the text following the lines forming the heart.
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Date of issue 8 February 2006
Artist Talvikki Canin
Edition 17 000
Price € 1.30
Size 148 x 105 mm
Paper Plainfield 200 gr
Printing method 4 + 1-colour offset
Printing house The Lowe Martin Group |
Åland Stamp Issuing Program 2006 (11/14/2005)
The stamp issuing program of the Åland Post for next year comprises
many interesting issues. A total of 15 new stamps will see the light of day
starting in January.
 The stamp year sets off on 2 January with the issue of the new postal
labels (FRAMA) depicting lilacs. These FRAMAs are the first part of a three
year series featuring old garden plants. The series of this year’s
definitive stamps will be issued on the same day, focusing on beetles. The
three definitive stamps will depict a metallic green chafer, a seven-spotted
ladybird and a Rhinoceros beetle.
On 8 February, the time has come for the issue of the 2006 piece of
postal stationery, this time a Valentine’s Day postcard.
In 2006, it will be 100 years since the inauguration/introduction of women’s
suffrage in Finland, and the Åland Post celebrates this anniversary on the
international women’s day
8 March with the issue of the stamp Women’s suffrage 100 years.
The Post will be focusing on another anniversary when we issue the stamp
Åland Demilitarization 150 Years on 29 March. The co-operation between the
postal administrations of the Nordic countries also continues on this day
with a new joint issue on the theme Nordic mythology, this time featuring
mythical beings. Åland will contribute with a miniature sheet.
In 2006, the theme of the EUROPA stamps will be integration through the eyes
of children. The Åland stamp will be out on 4 May and illustrates how
children accommodate to the new conditions of another country and become
“king of their new country”.
The biggest novelty of 2006, My stamps, will be launched on 26 May. This is
a great opportunity for private customers and companies to order stamps of
individual design through the Post’s web shop, thus acquiring personalized
stamps for letter and postcard postage. The Post’s own motif for the ‘My
stamps’ issue will be the Post’s new mail box. ‘My stamps’ will be issued as
self-adhesive booklets.
This year’s My Åland stamp will be issued on 4 August. The director and
actor Åke Lindman will offer his image of Åland. The stamp picture was taken
in connection with the shooting of the film ‘Stormkärs Maja’. On the same
day, two new stamps of the series Natural Åland Environments will be issued.
The 2006 motifs are from the municipalities of Lemland and Sottunga.
A booklet depicting tattoos will be issued on 7 September. It contains 9
stamps of 3 different tattoos.
The last issue of 2006 will be on 9 October when the 2006 Christmas stamp
will be presented.
For more information, please get in touch with Katja Rikberg of the
Philatelic Service at the Åland Post.
E-Mail
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