World of Stamps: Island Communities: by Geir Sør-Reime

Iceland has an area of 39,770 square miles and a population of extended 1904. In 319,700, giving a low population density of 7.5 per square miles. 2004, a stamp and Several earlier World of Stamps articles a souvenir sheet have focused on different areas within Ice- commemorated the land, so this is the first article covering the centenary of the whole country and its postal history. 1904 autonomy. Iceland In 1918, Den- issued its mark recognized first stamps in 1873. At that time, Iceland was 2004 souvenir sheet for centenary of part of the 1873 4 skilling from internal self-government, showing poet/ Kingdom of 1st Icelandic issue politician Hans Hafstein, Sc. 1007a 1930 Millennium series, Denmark. (Sc. 2) Iceland as a sovereign state under the Danish here discovery of Iceland Danish king. A 1968 pair of stamps celebrated the by Raven-Floki (Sc. 153) stamps were available from two 50th anniversary of this recognition and portrayed Iceland’s post-offices on Ice- first prime minister, land 1870-73. Jón Magnusson. Iceland10: 1968 Iceland was During WWII, showing Prime settled in the Vi- Denmark was occu- Minister Jon Mag- king period, pri- pied by Germany, nusson, for 50th marily by Norwe- and Iceland was oc- anniversary of in- gian chieftains in cupied by U.S. and opposition to the British dependence within unification process forces. In the Danish realm in their homeland. 1944, the (Sc. 402) They developed a

2003 souvenir sheet also show- Top: 1994 for 50th anniversary ing discovery of of Republic and showing first Iceland by Ra- President, Sveinn Bjørnsson ven-Floki, Sc. (Sc. 788a). Bottom: 1994 for Iceland13: 1973 for centenary kind of republican 50th anniversary of Republic of Icelandic stamps (Sc. 449) rule, the so-called and showing President of Par- liament and citing unanimous Commonwealth, Icelandic decision of Allthing to change which lasted until parliament the constitution and become a 2005 souvenir sheet showing Viking artifacts 1262, when inter- declared the republic (Sc. 787) found on Iceland and on display at the Na- nal strife forced Republic of tional Museum in Reykjavik, Sc. 1036 the parliament to Iceland and became fully independent. ask for intervention The first stamps had a numeral design, from the Norwegian king, and Iceland was integrated into the Norwe- and were first issued with denominations in gian kingdom. Some artifacts from the Viking period were depicted shillings (skilding in Icelandic). on the 2005 souvenir sheet issued for the reopening of the National In 1973, a series of five stamps were 1998 for 125th an- Museum. issued to celebrate the centenary of Iceland’s niversary of Icelan- Iceland was kept as part of Norway when Norway was united first stamps. A single stamp was also issued in dic stamps (Sc. 865) with Denmark in the 14th century. After the 1814 Treaty of Kiel, when 1998 for the 125th anniversary. Denmark ceded Norway to Sweden, Denmark kept Iceland and the Already in 1875, Iceland changed to a decimal system with 100 two other Norwegian dependencies, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. aurar equaling 1 krona, and the numeral design stamps were re-issued In 1874, Iceland was granted a degree of autonomy which was Continued on page 16 December 24, 2010 Mekeel's & Stamps MAGAZINE 15 with the new currency from August 1876 on- wards. A single stamp was is- sued in 1976 to celebrate the 1925 Landing the Mail centenary of the (Sc. 144) 1930 Millennium of Allthing introduction of portrait of the new king, Christian (Icelandic parliament), show- 1876-82 decimal issue aurar stamps. X, issued. ing current Parliament build- (here #15 issued 1882) 1976 for centenary When Iceland’s first pictorial stamps ing in Reykjavik (Sc. 152) stamps portraying of stamps in decimal appeared in 1925 and showed scen- King Christian currency (Sc. 492) ery and important buildings (The National Museum and the National IX were issued Library, both in Reykjavik). A very large pictorial series was also in 1902, these old stamps were de- clared invalid, but the decision was quickly reversed, and these older issues were over- 1902 King Christian printed “I GILDE IX (Sc. 44B) ’02-‘03” to denote 1930 Millennium series, left, arrival of first settlers led 1902 “Valid 02-03” that they remained by Ingolf Arnarsson AD874 (Sc. 155); right, “land-run”, valid through- overprint on official taking possession of land by burning fires (Sc. 156) out 1903. King stamp (Sc. O25) Christian IX died issued 1930 to celebrate the millenary in January 1906, of Iceland’s parliament, the Allthing. and in June 1907, In 1931, the famous waterfall stamps with the Gullfoss was featured on definitive portrait of him and his succes- sor, Frederik VIII 1907 Kings Frederik were issued on VIII and Christian IX Iceland. Stamps 1931 Gullfoss (Golden (Sc. 71) with the por- 1912 King Frederik Falls) definitive (Sc. 170) trait of only King Frederik VIII (Sc. 93) VIII were is- 1933 semi-postal (Sc. B2) sued in 1912. In the meantime, stamps, and other landmarks were added the design used to this series in 1935. for these stamps Iceland’s first semi-postals were had been used issued in 1933, and the following year, a for a stamp se- pictorial air post 1911 Birth centenary of ries commemo- series was is- rating the birth sued. (Air post Jon Sigurdsson (Sc. 86) 1931 Zeppelin over- centenary of and zeppelin 1961 for 150th birth print, Sc. C9 Jón Sigurdsson post stamps had anniversary of Jon (1811-1879), a been produced prominent fig- Sigurdsson (Sc. 335) previously over- ure in Icelandic revival in the 19th century printing defini- and several times presiding over the Ice- tive stamps.) landic parliament, the Allthing. In fact, his In 1935, a Matthias Jochums- birthday, June 17, is celebrated as Iceland’s set of six stamps son, Sc. 195 national day. Stamps in the same design celebrated the were in fact issued in 1961, for the 150th centenary of the birth of the poet M. Jo- anniversary of his birth. chumsson, and in 1937, three stamps were 1920 King Christian King Frederik VIII died in May 1912, King Christian X, issued for the 25th anniversary of the X (89) but not until 1920 were stamps with the Sc. 199 accession of King Christian X. These 16 Mekeel's & Stamps MAGAZINE December 24, 2010 were also united The first issue in Iceland’s first of the Republic, souvenir sheet. made June 17, 1944, were the stamps cel- ebrating indepen- dence and portraying Jón Sigurdsson. The 20th anniversary of the Republic was cel- ebrated in 1964 with 1964 for 20th anni- a single stamp fea- 1984 for 40th an- versary of Republic turing Iceland’s coat- niversary of Re- Left, 1938 Leifr Eiricsson souvenir sheet, of Iceland (Sc. 362) of-arms. The public (Sc. 591) Sc. B6; right, 1938 showing geyser (Sc. 203) 40th anniversary was celebrated in 1984 with a single stamp featuring Iceland’s second souvenir Icelandic flags. sheet was issued the follow- ing year, the Leifr Eiricsson, “Son of Iceland—Discoverer of America”. 1947 air post stamp showing 1938 20th anniversary of inde- Thingvellir, old site of Icelan- pendence (within Danish realm) dic parliament (Sc. C21) showing University of Iceland, Post-WWII issues have featured Reykjavik (Sc. 209) a vast range of interesting themes and The famous motifs, including the unique Icelandic landmark “Gey- landscape, important historic events and 1958 for 40th anniver- sir” appeared personalities that have contributed in sary of national flag on 1938 forming the modern Icelandic society. stamps, 1939 showing na- Iceland’s flag was first introduced (Sc. 313) and the tional flag of Iceland in 1918, and was first featured on new (Sc. 228) a 1943 definitive. In 1958, two building of the University of Iceland stamps were issued, featuring the also appeared on 1938 stamps. flag, for the 40th anniversary of its In 1939, definitive stamps fea- introduction. turing cod, herring and the Icelandic Iceland’s capital city is flag were issued, and also stamps for Iceland’s participation in New York’s World Fair (these also exist with a 1961 for 175th Top, 1939 for New York “1940” overprint). One of the stamps anniversary of World’s Fair and showing of the latter set (showing the statue charter of Reyk- statue of Thorfinn Karlsefni of Thorfinn Karlsefni, the first -Eu javik (Sc. 338) (the first European attempt- ropean who Reykjavik, and ing a settlement in America) attempted a although a very (Sc. 215); bottom settlement old settlement, 1939 definitive without “N.Y. in America) it became a city 2005 Souvenir sheet showing aerial view of 1939 W.F.” inscription (Sc. 229) was re-is- residential area of Reykjavik sued with- only in 1786, and in out commemorative 1961, two stamps inscriptions as a defin- celebrated the itive stamp. 175th anniversa- The last issue ry of Reykjavik. made before Iceland’s 1941 Snorri Sturlu- Four 1986 stamps independence declara- son (Sc. 239) commemorated the tion, was a 1941 set honoring Snorri Sturluson, 200th anniversary the political leader of Iceland and the writer of of the city, and in many of the Icelandic sagas, commemorating 2005, a souvenir 1944 proclamation of Republic of Iceland, por- the 700th an- 1947 air post stamp sheet showed an ae- 1948 for 1947 erup- traying Jon Sigurdsson (leader of the 19th century niversary of showing Mount rial photo of parts of tion of Mount Hekla Icelandic independence movement) (Sc. 240) his murder. Thyrill (Sc. C25) Continued, p.18 (Sc. 246) December 24, 2010 Mekeel's & Stamps MAGAZINE 17 the city. Looking at the landscape, in 1966 and 1970, stamps were issued featuring Icelandic landscapes, a 1947 air post series featured a and in 2006, a series of five stamps again depicted waterfalls. These number of dramatic views of Ice- stamps were also issued in a souvenir sheet, and a similar set depicting landic glaciers appeared in 2007. A 2009 moun- pair featured a panoramic view of tains, the Vatnajökull national park, which and a includes the Vatnajökull glacier. 1948 The mountain Herdubreid ap- 1965 showing birth of Surt- set de- peared on a 1972 stamp. Landscapes sey island (Sc. 373) picted were also featured on Iceland’s 1977 the Europa stamp pair, on the 1983 impressive eruption of the Hekla volcano. 1983 Nordic cooperation Nordic co-operation pair, the 1986 Another volcanic eruption in 1964 showing Sulur mountain 1975 for volcanic erup- created the new island of , and three (Sc. 571) tion on 1973 stamps were issued in 1965 showing aerial Europa stamps, and a photos of the development of the new (Sc. 477) 1989 pair of stamps. island. In 1973, a dramatic eruption hap- Further landscape pened on Heimaey, the main island of the pairs were added in Vestmann Islands group, forcing most of the population to evacuate. In 1975, two stamps commemorated this dramatic event. I n 1983, a 1977 Europa: left, Ofaeru- single stamp foss waterfall; right Kirkjufell com- 2002 International Year of Mountain (Sc. 498-499) 1983, remembering the memo- Mountains (Sc. 959) eruption of the Skafta rated the 1990 and 1991, and two 1991 and one 1995 Nordic cooperation stamps volcano (Sc. 577) 1951, for 175th anniver- sary of the mail service, showing plane over Ice- landic glaciers (Sc. 272)

200th anni- versary of the eruption of the Skaftá 1952 air post stamp showing volcano. 2001 islands: left, showing Grimsey, the northernmost inhabited Snaefellsjokull (Snowmoun- Both area of Iceland (on the Artic circle) (Sc. 949); right, showing tain glacier) (Sc. C27) the 1951 pair Papey off the east coast of Iceland (Sc. 950) for the 175th featured landscapes. The 1998 Europa pair again featured landscapes, anniversary as did a 2002 stamp for the International Year of the Mountains. of Iceland’s In 2001, the first two stamps in a series featuring Icelandic islands postal ser- were issued. Further stamps were added 2002, 2003, and 2005. vice and a 2006 showing History is always present on Iceland, and in 1953, a set of five 1952 air post Glymur waterfall stamps depicted some of the old Icelandic set again de- (Sc. 1079) manuscripts, the picted Icelandic mountains and gla- sources of Iceland’s 1966 showing West Iceland ciers. Icelandic waterfalls were fea- history. A further coastal scene (Sc. 380) series featuring old tured on a 1956 set that also featured manuscripts was is- hydro-electric power stations. More sued in 1970, and in glaciers appeared on a 1957 set, and 1979, a page from Snorri’s History of the Norwegian Left, 1953 manuscript showing Reyk- jabok (14th century manuscript containing Icelandic sagas) (Sc. Right, 2007 showing two 278); right, 1979 for 800th birth anniversary of Snorri Sturluson glaciers; left, 2009 with (author of the sagas of the Norwegian kings and showing a page scenery from Vatnajökul National Park from the saga of St. Olof) (Sc. 518) 18 Mekeel's & Stamps MAGAZINE December 24, 2010 Kings was depicted Republic of Iceland. on a single stamp The Icelanders sailed to North America in 1000 AD, and in 2000, issued for his 800th a set of four stamps celebrated the birth anniversary. In 1000th anniversary of this feat. 1974, a long series One of the things Icelanders of eleven stamps are really proud of is their horses commemorated the or ponies. An Icelandic pony was 1100th anniversary depicted on 1958-60 definitives. A of the Norse settle- 1982 single was devoted to eques- ment of Iceland. trian sports, and a 2001 set featured Famous per- One of five 2001 stamps the five 1970 manuscript sons depicted on 1974 for 1100th an- showing Icelandic ponies different with page from Flat- Icelandic stamps in- niversary of Norse and their walking/running walking/ eyarbok (14th centu- clude the last Catho- , styles (Sc. 940) running ry manuscript con- lic bishop of Iceland, showing Ingolf Arnar- styles of the Icelandic pony. taining many of the Jón Arason, featured son, the leader of the Iceland’s economy is heavily based on sagas of the Norse first settlers (Sc. 461) kings, here illustrat- on two 1950 stamps its fisheries, ed a scene from the for the 400th anniver- and already life of Norway’s first sary of his execution. one of the king, Harold Fair- The 900th anniversa- 1950 defin- hair) (Sc. 419) ry of the Bishopric of itives paid Skálholt homage to 1971 Fisheries in- was com- the country’s dustry (cod) (Sc. 436) memorat- fishermen, ed with 1983 Fishing industry and in 1971, a set of three was devoted three (trawler) (Sc. 575) to the country’s fishing industry. Anoth- 1956 er such set was issued in 1983. Consumption fishes first appeared on stamps. 1950 Jon Arason 1939-47 definitives, and in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 sets of stamps The other (400th death an- were issued depicting a number of edible fish species. Old fishing Icelandic vessels appeared on four 2005 niversary), last 1956 semi-postal for 900th Bishop- booklet stamps. Catholic bishop of anniversary of Bishopric of ric, Hólar, Iceland issued its first Skalholt (Sc. B15) was de- Iceland (Sc. 269) stamp booklet in 1932, with picted on the 1982 single commem- panes made up from ordinary orating the centenary of the agricul- sheets of stamps. From 1991, tural school there. The Bishop of prestige booklets appeared, Hólar in 1584 translated and printed and in 1987, the first -ma the very chine-made stamp booklet first Ice- with stamps only issued in 1987 booklet cover for Sc. 651b landic bi- booklets appeared. In later years, several stamp issues have been issued ble, a fact in parallel in sheets (with normal gum) and in self-adhesive booklets. 1982 showing cathedral at commem- Already in 1973, Iceland did issue offi- Holar (Sc. 561) orated on cial stamps, in the same design as the normal two 1984 stamps. stamps, but inscribed Official in Icelandic. President Björnsson, Iceland’s first From 1922, ordinary stamps overprinted for President, was depicted on four 1952 stamps, official use were issued instead of stamps and Iceland’s second president, Ásgeir Ás- 1952 Sveinn Björns- inscribed for that purpose. The last official son, 1st President of stamps were issued in 1936. From Iceland (Sc. 274) 1983 on- geirsson was portrayed wards, there on 1973 stamps. Krist- 1952 Official over- have been ján Eldjárn, the third print (Sc. O50) machines for president, appeared on machine labels (stamps printed in the 1983 stamps. These machine) on Iceland, and with basically three Presidents, and the same design. the fourth President, Iceland issued its first postal cards 1983 type machine label Vigdis Finnbogadót- in 1879, normally with stamp imprints identical to the current stamp tir, appeared on 1994 issues. Letter-cards were first issued in 1905 and aerogrammes in 1949. 2000 Souvenir sheet for millennium of stamps celebrating the The last aerogramme appeared in 1971 Norse discovery of America (Sc. 905a) 50th anniversary of the December 24, 2010 Mekeel's & Stamps MAGAZINE 19