NO. 1 2012 ENGLISH

4•4 CCarolineli aff Ugglas painted the perch decor- ating the Post’s 2012 My Stamps issue. The new frame will be issued in June.

8•8 • ThTheeE Europauroropa stamp on the theme Visit Åland shows a summery photo by photo- grapher Jacob Saurén.

24 •T• TTwowo bbus stamps will appear in September. The buses were VERSATILE also known as the Smugglers’ bus and Tired CAROLINECAROLINE Theodore. ILLUSTRATESILLUSTRATES HERHER ÅLANDÅLAND

posten.ax 2 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN Enriching diversifi cation Most often, Åland stamps are printed in four-colour offset. Still, other printing techniques or special effects may be applicable occasionally to heed the interest of collectors, phila- telists and, of course, Ålanders in general. This year, it is time for an engraved stamp to be issued. Engraving is a rare type of printing technique for Åland Post, since it has only been used for 10 of 295 Åland stamps issued. For that reason we dare say that the stamp The Man at the Wheel will be this year’s most magnifi cent stamp. The use of this technique also gives us the opportunity to offer our customers interesting side products such as black prints and special graphic sheets. The printing of these sheets was done by hand in a hand-printing press on paper of very high quality and in a very limited edition.

nita äggblom DIRECTOR ÅLAND POST STAMPS

1•2012

ÅLAND POST LTD STAMPS P.O. Box 1100 AX-22111 MARIEHAMN ÅLAND,

TELEPHONE VISITING ADDRESS From Finland: 018 636 639 Flygfältsvägen10 Orders from Finland: Sviby, Jomala Contents 020 340 020 EDITORS Editorial 2 From abroad: Anita Häggblom +358 18 636 641 Katja Rikberg News 3 Telephone hours: Heidemarie Eriksson Caroline relaxes in Åland 4 Mon–Fri 9.00–16.00 Björn Wennström In July Mon–Fri 9.00–15.00 Cecilia Mattsson Europa theme focusing on tourism 8 FAX TEXT Statue honouring seafarers 10 From Finland: Katja Rikberg 018 636 608 Nostalgic architecture in booklet 13 From abroad: TRANSLATION +358 18 636 608 Kristine Lybeck Sund Southern Hawker and Ruddy Darter 16

INTERNET LAYOUT A pink charity stamp 18 www.posten.ax Cecilia Mattsson Sea-inspired Christmas 20 Nordic stamps: PRODUCTION www.topoftheworld.nu Posten Åland Ab Animals celebrating Christmas 22 Waasa Graphics E-MAIL Smugglers’ Bus and Tired Theodore 24 [email protected] COVER PHOTO Kjell Söderlund Calendar 26

We reserve the right to change the information contained in this publication. ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 3 NEWS

JOINT ISSUE WITH BELGIUM

The Åland stamp Titanic 100 Years appears 16 April. This is a joint issue with the Belgian Post which is also issuing a stamp commemorating the sinking of the Titanic. Appearing on the day of the Åland issue is a joint commemorative card holding both the Belgian and the Åland stamps, cancelled with the respective fi rst day cancels. Details about the Titanic can be read on the back of the card in English, French and Dutch. Dragonfl y The card costs €5.50 and may be ordered using the ordering catalogue, in the web shop or by brooch contacting Åland Post Stamps. In connection with the issue of the dragonfl y stamps in June (read more on pages 16–17), we also offer a lovely silver/granite brooch designed like a dragonfl y. The brooch measures approx. 30 mm and is delivered in a gift box. Like all previous pieces of silver and granite jewellery sold by Åland Post, the brooch has been produced by the company Ele & Kele. Order the brooch using the form in the ordering catalogue or place your order in the Post’s web shop. The price is €24.50.

ariehamn stamp most beautiful

The most beautiful 2011 Åland stamp has now been selected, and the winner is the Mariehamn 150 Years miniature sheet. This stamp received a total of 607 votes. In second place came the two Åland Scenery stamps with 144 votes and, in third place with 48 votes, we fi nd the stamp focusing on the Champagne Find. Chosen among all voters, we congratulate the following winners: Kauko Paananen, Riitta Vuorinen, Espoo 4 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN KJELL SÖDERLUND

CAROLINE RELAXES IN ÅLAND

wedish artist, musician, painter, speech and singing therapist as well as choirmaster aroline af gglas fi nds relaxation at her summer cottage in Åland. he now gives her personal view of Åland as artist for the y Åland stamp.

The My Åland stamp theme is a frequently recurring something. Kings are often used as stamp motifs, theme offering celebrities with a connection to so I now almost feel like I’m royalty,” Caroline Åland an opportunity to illustrate their experience describes her sentiment. and personal view of Åland. Lill Lindfors, Mauno The motifs of the stamp, fi rst day cover and Koivisto, Mark Levengood, Björn Borg, Martti cancel widely differ, giving a good example of Ahtisaari, Åke Lindman and Marcus Grönholm are Caroline’s range of artistic skills. all previous artists for this series of stamps. In 2012, The stamp features a perch. Swedish Caroline af Ugglas is in turn. “To me, perch is the quintessence of Åland. I hardly eat anything else when I’m in Åland. Or, ÅLAND = PERCH well”, she sheepishly admits, “I sometimes eat pike “I was fl attered when Åland Post stamps asked me as well.” to create a stamp. I feel as if I’m putting my cross on “I even painted the stamp motif in Åland.” ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 5

Last summer, Caroline af Ugglas spent part of her stay in Åland painting for her coming art tour. Her favourite motif was shoes of various sorts.

‘MR STUMBLE MAN’ On the fi rst day cover, she has painted ‘Mr Stumble The fi rst day cover illustration is a bunch of tulips Man’, a symbol that has become her mark. placed in a pair of white-soled blue shoes. “I have the very same symbol as a tattoo, as a sign “These are my favourite shoes and also a merry at home and on my car. There was no doubt in my and pleasant motif that, I fi nd, suits the cover. People mind when I chose it for my fi rst day cancel.” who know me will recognize me as the artist.” Caroline explains the symbolism of ‘Herr Caroline painted the shoe motif while visiting snubblar man’ (Mr Stumble Man) like this: Åland last summer. “In society we see a great deal of signs telling us “It is included in an art tour that has been tour- what we can and cannot do.” ing in since last autumn to be concluded ‘Mr Stumble Man’ resembles the road sign for in April 2012. I display my work in , pedestrian crossing. Gothenburg and Malmö among other places.” “‘Mr Stumble Man’ suggests that you can make 6 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN

e never stop fi shing during our stays in Åland! KJELL SÖDERLUND

Caroline’s mark is her tattoo ‘Herr snubblar man’ on her one forearm. The symbol recurs on the fi rst day cancel.

a mistake and get back on your feet, that you make DECLINED ELECTRICITY a conscious decision to choose your own path.” Caroline visits her cottage in Åland together with her husband Heinz Liljedahl and her children ART HAS CHANGED Eddie-Lee and Otis four to fi ve times every year. Recently, Caroline has been spending most of her Originally, the cottage was where Heinz’ great- time on music. She came in second with the song grandmother grew up. “Snälla, snälla” when participating in the Swedish “The cottage is situated at journey’s end in the national fi nal for the Eurovision Song Contest. forest, by the sea. We never stop fi shing when we “For various reasons, I’ve been making an incred- are there. We have a privy, a water pump in the ible amount of music. At the same time, I have been yard and no electricity. Once asked if we wanted distressed that I couldn’t spend as much time as I to install electricity, we declined the offer. In the preferred on painting. But, lately, I’ve stepped on autumn and winter, we light the stove for heat and the accelerator and spent much time painting for live exactly like our people there used to do.” my art tour. I love it!” Her art as well as her music have changed over FERTILE AND HARMONIOUS the years. “To me, Åland is calmness and nature. I sit in my “You will note an interesting difference. Some- rocking chair reading books or playing games with thing happened after I had children. I matured; my children. I sometimes paint and, now and again, my music as well as my art became more decorous, I write a few lyrics,” Caroline relates. appealing to a wider crowd. I’m more serious and Describing Åland in three words proves to be dif- meticulous now, more capable, wider. I was more fi cult for Caroline; she prefers to use so many more. naive and more punk before,” Caroline remembers, She fi nally decides on three (or, in fact, four) words pointing out that she fi nds this development quite with which she feels satisfi ed: fertile, harmonious natural and not at all surprising. and extremely picturesque. ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 7

297 • MY STAMPS – MY ÅLAND

DATE OF ISSUE 4 June 2012 ARTIST Caroline af Ugglas DENOMINATION Inrikes (€0.95) PRICE FULL SHEET €7.60 (8 stamps) PRICE FDC €1.55 SIZE OF STAMP 42 x 29 mm SIZE OF SHEET 145 x 105 mm 8 x 1 stamps PAPER 135 g/m² PRINTING METHOD The fi rst day cancel is a replication of Caroline’s 4-colour offset tattoo ‘Herr snubblar PRINTING HOUSE man”’. This year, the My Joh. Enschedé Stamps Åland issue is combined with the My Stamps issue and therefore issued in the form of a mini-sheet. The frame will be avail- able to order for custom- ers choosing to design their own stamps using the My Stamps service. KJELL SÖDERLUND

CAROLINE AF UGGLAS

Artist and painter Caroline af Ugglas (born in 1972) comes from Stockholm. She received her theatrical education at Calle Flygare Theater School and has worked as both speech and song therapist and choirmaster. Her fi rst album was released in 1997 and her latest appeared in 2010. Competing in the 2009 Swedish national selection for the Eurovi- sion Song Contest, she came in second. In 2010, her book ”Help, who am I?” with her therapy session notes was published. She began painting at the age of ten. During her career she has de- veloped her own form and colour scheme which she has named “Antidepressism”. She also created the TV show concept Clash of the Caroline af Ugglas has painted her blue shoes decorated with a bunch of Choirs, which became a success tulips for the fi rst day cover. The stamp motif is a perch. in the USA, Sweden and other parts of the world. 8 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN

Europa theme focusing on tourism

his year’s uropa theme is isit, followed by the country or city in focus on the respective uropa issue. he stamp isit Åland to be issued on 9 ay gives a summery picture of Åland.

Visit Åland is also the name of the offi cial tourist ferry or airplane, but excluding arrivals by private organisation of Åland with approximately 340 mem- yacht. Åland is a popular destination for pleasure bers. The main function of Visit Åland is to market boats, very much thanks to its geographical location Åland as a travel destination and to develop tourism within easy reach from either Sweden or main land in Åland together with the local hospitality industry. Finland. The fairways around Åland offer plenty of elbow room, and boating tourists can enjoy nature KOBBA KLINTAR IN THE BACKGROUND with its red granite cliffs at close range. The logotype of Visit Åland is the Åland fl ag, which reappears on the fi rst day cancel, the back of the OVERNIGHT STAYS IN HOTELS AND CABINS cover and the stamp sheet. The stamp photo was In 2010, a total of 169 800 hotel nights were shot at the old ‘Kobba klintar’ pilot station just out- booked in Åland. The majority of the overnight side Mariehamn. ‘Kobba klintar’ was also featured visitors came from Finland and Sweden, and most on the 2010 Nordic miniature sheet. of the guests visited Åland on their leisure time. In addition to hotel accommodation, renting your MANY BOATING TOURISTS own cabin for a week is very popular and so is rent- Tourism is an industry of great importance in ing a bicycle or driving around Åland, staying for a Åland, and many tourists visit Åland to discover night or two in camping sites, in your own caravan the islands and all they have to offer, especially in or camper or simply tenting. the summer. The number of arrivals in 2010 was 2 173 500 guests, including all arrivals in Åland by Sources: www.visitaland.com and www.asub.ax. ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 9

Visit Åland’s logo is 296 • EUROPA – VISIT ÅLAND used as fi rst day cancel. DATE OF ISSUE 9 May 2012 PHOTOGRAPHER Jacob Saurén EDITION 180 000 DENOMINATION Europa (€0.95) PRICE FDC €1.55 SIZE OF STAMP 35 x 35 mm SIZE OF SHEET 2 x 15 stamps PERFORATION 13 per 2 cm PAPER 102 g/m² PRINTING METHOD 4-colour offset PRINTING HOUSE Joh. Enschedé Stamps

Various tourist photos on the fi rst day cover illustrate the diversity of Åland. The logo of Visit Åland can be seen on the back.

JACOB SAURÉN

Photographer Jacob Saurén (born in 1980) comes from Åland and is a qualifi ed electrician from Åland’s Vocational School. He has also studied economics and marketing at Åland University of Applied Sciences. He previously worked as a salesperson at the photo department of Stockmann in Helsinki and, for the last fi ve years, he has worked as photo- grapher for the local newspaper Ålandstidningen. This is Jacob’s fi rst stamp for Åland Post Stamps. The photos used on the fi rst day cover reappear in combination with the Visit Åland logo on the gutter of the stamp sheet. 10 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN

295 • THE MAN AT THE WHEEL

DATE OF ISSUE The fi rst day cancel depicts 26 April 2012 the barque Thomas Perry on which Johan Edvard PHOTOGRAPHER Sundström went down. Robert Jansson ENGRAVER Lars Sjööblom EDITION 180 000 DENOMINATION €3.00 PRICE FDC €3.60 SIZE OF STAMP 27 x 41.67 mm SIZE OF SHEET 2 x 16 stamps A black print with the PAPER separate engraving has 98 g/m² been produced. The edition is 2000 and PERFORATION the price is €15. 13 per 2 cm PRINTING METHOD Combination printing 4-colour offset PRINTING HOUSE Posten Sverige

ROBERT JANSSON

Photographer Robert Jansson (born in 1965) runs his own com- pany Robert’s Photo. For some 18 years, he has worked as photo- grapher, fi lmmaker and television editor as well as with advertising and product photography, press/ news and photo documentation. Cooperating with newspapers such as Finnish Helsingin Sanomat, Swedish Aftonbladet as well as New York Times, he has also accepted fi lming commissions from both Discovery Channel and several Nordic TV stations. Robert has previously created the 2004 Åland fl ag stamp and photo- The stamp engraving decorates the gutter pair strip, and an illustration of the graphed the originals for several sea has been used as background for the fi rst day cover. other Åland stamps. ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 11

tatue honouring seafarers

aised in 1936 as a memorial to those who perished at sea, the statue he an at the heel is the oldest outdoor piece of art in ariehamn. he well-known statue now appears on an engraved Åland stamp.

Created by Emil Cedercreutz, the statue was cast tradesman in Mariehamn entrusted with many tasks in plaster in 1913. Originally, it featured a fi ctitious and political commissions for the town council. He old salt by the name Tasala-Vilkk. It was meant was also on the board of directors of some banks to be located in Rauma, Finland, but due to local and managing director of the spa establishment criticism it was dismantled and left to collect dust Badhuset. for nearly 20 years. Agricultural Advisor Eliel Sundström purchased the statue and donated it to REPOSSESSED THOMAS PERRY the Town of Mariehamn. Johan Edvard went bankrupt in 1903. He had left many invoices unsettled, owed his business partner IN HONOUR OF HIS FATHER money and had even accepted guarantee liabilities The donation was made in honour of his father, for loans drawn by the spa resort. Having reached Johan Edward Sundström (1843–1905). Born in the age of 60, Johan Edvard was forced to go to sea Sund in straitened circumstances and orphaned again. His fi rst commission was to lift the embargo early in life, Johan Edvard did get the opportunity placed on the Åland barque Thomas Perry, docked to attend elementary school in Skarpans together in Georgia, USA. with the children of military personnel, senior offi - cials, tradesmen and the odd peasant’s son. PERISHED IN 1905 He did succeed; however, the ship was in very poor BECAME A CAPTAIN AND TRADESMAN condition and went down in the Atlantic Ocean on Johan Edvard went to sea at the age of 14 and 14 November 1905. Some of the crew was saved worked as mate and captain until 1892, when he under dramatic circumstances but fi ve men perished, went ashore. Eventually, he became the leading one of them being Commander Johan Edvard. 12 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN KJELL SÖDERLUND ombination printing was the technique used for the stamp ' he an at the heel’

The engraving created by Swedish engraver Lars Sjööblom is based upon a photograph by Robert Jansson. Lars also engraved one of the 2008 Light- house stamps.

UNIQUE GRAPHIC SHEET Lars Sjööblom shows his engraving to another well-known A unique graphic sheet of the issue ‘The Man at the stamp artist, Juha Pykäläinen. Wheel’ has also been produced. Printed in a limited edition of only 300, each sheet is individually numbered and signed by engraver Lars Sjööblom. ERECTED IN THE WESTERN HARBOUR The Intaglio hand print is created sheet by sheet ‘The man at the Wheel’ monument was unveiled in a hand printing press. Very high quality paper in the Western Harbour of Mariehamn on July 31, is essential in producing these fi ne graphic sheets. 1936. First erected in the English Park, the statue The sheet measures 151 x 205 mm. The price of was moved in the mid-1950s, because the Mid- a graphic sheet is based upon your Club Åland summer celebrations were considered to dishon- membership level. Gold customers pay €50, Silver our the statue. Today, it stands near the Maritime customers €60 and Bronze customers €70. Museum, and many people visit the statue to pay their respects on All Saints’ Day every year. BLACK PRINT A so-called black print of the issue ‘The Man at the COMBINATION PRINT ON STAMP Wheel’ will also be available in a limited edition of Engraved stamps may be printed using two different 2 000. With the same size as the stamp, the black types of techniques, recess or combination printing. print shows only the engraving, i.e. without the The Man at the Wheel stamp was printed using background photograph. The price is €15/print. the combination technique, which means that the The previous black print offered by Åland Post engraved parts of the stamp were printed using the proved to be very popular, so be certain to place recess technique and the rest of the motif in offset. your order already today!

LARS SJÖÖBLOM

Engraver Lars Sjööblom (born in 1956) has been employed by the Swedish Post since 1983. He has attended Bergh’s School of Communication and completed a special course for engravers at the School of Art. One of Lars’ specialities is animals, a motif with which he has worked a

JAN-ERIK ANDERSSON great deal. This is Lars Sjööblom’s second stamp for Åland Post. ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 13

ostalgic architecture in booklet

his year’s booklet represents high level nostalgia! he three stamps feature memorable and beloved buildings all to be found in ariehamn in past times. ormer town architect olke ickström has drawn the motifs.

The fi rst stamp shows the Badhotellet (spa hotel). to be jerry-built, constructed as it was of cocco- Launched as a spa resort at the end of the 1800s, lith wallboard, a forerunner of modern day dry Mariehamn was to become one of the most modern walls. The walls lacked insulation, so the hotel was resorts in Europe by the turn of the century. The draughty and cold but, at the same time, modern concept was to spend the days in comfortable idle- and lavishly fi tted out, which highly impressed the ness and the evenings in merry social company, to guests. Designed by architects Lars Sonck, Bertel combine pleasures and health treatments prescribed Jung and Oscar Bomanson, the three-storied build- by the in-house doctor. ing measured 50 x 20 meters and had 30 rooms.

MARIEHAMN’S LARGEST HOTEL BURNT IN 1916 At the turn of the 20th century, the establishment As World War I broke out, the end of the 1914 sea- was at its largest with facilities for hot baths and son also saw the end of the spa era. The hotel burnt swimming, a restaurant with assembly room, a med- down to the ground in February 1916 as Russian ical centre, a gymnasium, a doctor’s house and a spa soldiers quartered in the building, probably due to hotel. However, it was run at a loss from day one an overheated heater. until the end. Maintaining the enormous wooden structures swallowed up money as continuous HOTEL, RESTAURANT AND TOWN HALL repairs were required. Inaugurated in 1900 as the Originally, Societetshuset (a club house generally largest hotel in Mariehamn, the Badhotel proved known as Socis) was a school building that was 14 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN

Also available are three special sheets illustrating the various steps of the printing process. Each sheet shows the colour separation of one of the stamps with technical details printed on the back of the sheet. A set of three sheets costs €30.

dismantled and moved to Mariehamn in 1870. SOLDIERS’ CASINO TWICE From the start, the building served as a hotel, town Designed by architect Fritjof Strandell, Miramar hall and restaurant. Club houses in Finland had was erected in 1890 as a summer house for Nicolai a different purpose than those in Sweden. After Nyström, son-in-law of Nicolai Sittkoff, a well- 1809, they became popular in Finland as venues for known tradesman in Åland. As a summer residence accommodation and evening dances for the higher for the Helsinki couple Nicolai and Elisabeth, it was bourgeoisie. In 1900, two detached wings designed the very fi rst house in town to have a bathroom. by county architect Helge Rancken were added to Commandeered by soldiers during both World Socis. One wing housed a two-storied hotel complex, Wars, fi rst by the Russians and later by the Finns, the other housed the town hall and an assembly hall, Miramar was turned into a soldiers’ gambling home. occupied by the Åland assembly from 1922 to 1939. GUEST HOUSE MIRAMAR COMMANDEERED BY THE MILITARY FORCES Mathilda Rotz bought the house in 1919. Runo and During Socis’ more than 100 years of existence Linda, her son and daughter-in-law, moved into it had several periods of golden days and many the house the following year to use it as permanent different owners. In the 1930s, it housed a popular residence. A few years later, Linda pioneered a new coffee room, and masquerades and soirées were held type of accommodation inclusive of meals and regularly. Commandeered by the Finnish military family board, opening Miramar for tourists as a bed forces in 1941, Socis revived to experience a new and breakfast guest house. In the 1930s, the house season of palmy days after the conclusion of peace, served as a dance palace and meeting place and was with various types of festivities being arranged later to become a restaurant. year round. Åland Tourist Association applied for permission to build a large complex of hotels on the DEMOLISHED IN 1973 Socis site in 1956, as the provincial authorities were The restaurant was let out when Linda Rotz died in planning a legislative building at the same time. 1962. When the authorities performed inspections of Miramar 10 years later, it found inadequate fi re DEMOLISHED IN 1975 security as well as spa and sanitary defects. The last In 1970, the town released a site of 28 800 m² to be guests left Miramar in December 1972, and the used for the erection of a government building, a house was demolished in October 1973. museum and a hotel. Regardless of many protests, the demolition of Socis was carried through in June 1975, the then town architect and current stamp Sources: www.mariehamn.ax and "Boken om Mariehamn” by artist Folke Wickström being one of the protesters. Folke Wickström and Jerker Örjans. ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 15

300 • ARCHITECTURAL The fi rst day cancel NOSTALGIA shows a T-square and a drafting compass. DATE OF ISSUE 23 August 2012 ARTIST Folke Wickström EDITION When Societetshuset 95 000 booklets was to be demolished, moving the building DENOMINATION to the Wirén Park was Världen (9 x €1.00) proposed. The proposed location is illustrated on PRICE FDC € the cover. 3.60 SIZE OF STAMP 52 x 23.83 mm SIZE OF BOOKLET 176 x 56 mm PERFORATION 14 per 2 cm PAPER 110 g/m2 PRINTING METHOD 4-colour offset PRINTING HOUSE Österreichische Staatsdruckerei

Three maximum cards featuring Badhotellet, Societetshuset and FOLKE WICKSTRÖM Miramar also appear in August. Folke Wickström (born in 1939) is an architect from the Institute of Technology in Helsinki (1966) with a supplementary education in Architectural Conservation from the School of Architecture in Stockholm (1990). He worked as a general plan architect in Helsinki and as town architect in Mariehamn 1974–2005. Some of his works are the Archipelago Museum in Lappo, the Hunting and Fishing Museum in Eckerö, the Brudhäll hotel in Kökar as well as business houses, daycare centres and private houses. He has taken part in a number of joint exhibitions and published the Mariehamn Book to- gether with Jerker Örjans in 2011. The fi rst day cover illustration is the Badhotel, viewed from a different angle Folke also created the 1989 stamp than the stamp motif. ’Mariehamn Town Hall’ and two architecture stamps (in 2000). 16 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN

outhern awker and uddy arter

orbjörn Östman’s fi rst stamps for Åland ost depicted 3 different insects. e now reappears as a stamp designer, commissioned to design a blood-red uddy arter and a bluish-green outhern awker.

Dragonfl ies characteristically have elongated, narrow ures 24 to 29 mm. The wings are transparent with abdomens, fl exible heads with well-developed, com- a pterostigma which is lighter brownish-red along pound eyes, powerful mouthparts used for biting the edges and has a dark centre. The Ruddy Darter and short coarse antennae. The two sets of wings is to be found throughout Europe as far south as on the thorax move independently, making dragon- northern Africa and as far east as Siberia. fl ies very strong fl iers. The location of the three sets of legs, near the head, makes walking diffi cult BLUISH-GREEN SOUTHERN HAWKER for dragon fl ies, but facilitates the catching of prey The other stamp shows a Southern Hawker (Aeshna (other insects) in fl ight. cyanea). A male hawker can be distinguished by the darker colour of its abdomen and the green spots BLOOD-RED RUDDY DARTER and blue markings in a mosaic pattern on its lower The Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) derives abdomen. It has a wingspan of up to 95 mm and the its name from the vivid red colour of the male’s body grows as long as 51 to 60 mm. The transparent abdomen. The all-black legs of the Ruddy Darter wings have a russet pterostigma. Found in large parts distinguish it from the otherwise very similar brick- of Europe, the Southern Hawker can also be seen in red Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum). It northern Africa and the western parts of Asia. attains a wingspan of up to 60 mm, the back wing measuring 23 to 29 mm, while the abdomen meas- Source: http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/ ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 17

298 AND 299 • DRAGONFLIES: SOUTHERN HAWKER AND The fi rst day cancel RUDDY DARTER is a dragonfl y. DATE OF ISSUE 4 June 2012 ARTIST Torbjörn Östman EDITION 2 x 180 000 DENOMINATIONS Lokalpost (€0.75) (Southern Hawker) Europa (€0.95) (Ruddy Darter) PRICE FDC €2.30 SIZE OF STAMP 36.5 x 31.92 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

Decorated with small dragonfl ies fl ying across the sheet, the name of the dragonfl y in question also appears on the gutter strips.

TORBJÖRN ÖSTMAN

Artist Torbjörn Östman (born in 1948) received his education at the Stockholm University of Arts, Crafts and Design. He has worked as illustrator for an IT- company and with photography for interactive teaching materials on behalf of the industrial sector and the defence. He currently creates illustrations for Encyclo- paedia of Swedish Flora & Fauna. He has so far illustrated moths (Lasiocampidae and Lymantriidae) and fl ies (Hoverfl ies), creating them entirely in the computer on the basis of digital photos. He pre- Also appearing on the day of issue are two maximum cards showing the same dragonfl ies from a different angle than those depicted on the stamps. The viously created the 2006 stamps special cancel shows several dragonfl ies swarming. featuring Rose-Chafer, Seven-Spot Ladybird and Rhinoceros Beetle. 18 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN

303 • PINK RIBBON

DATE OF ISSUE 1 October 2012 ARTIST Carina Sommarström EDITION 180 000 DENOMINATION €1.00 + €0.20 PRICE FDC €1.80 SIZE OF STAMP 31.5 x 36.25 mm SIZE OF SHEET Some of the symbols appearing in the woman’s tattoo reappear on the gutter 2 x 15 stamps of the sheet. Each symbol has a specifi c meaning; for example, the symbol PAPER combining the snake and the sigma sign signifi es that the sum of two parts is 102 g/m² greater than the whole. PERFORATION 13 per 2 cm PRINTING METHOD 4-colour offset PRINTING HOUSE Joh. Enschedé Stamps

CARINA SOMMARSTRÖM

Graphic designer Carina Sommarström (born in 1967) The stamp motif holds a great deal of symbolism. The fi rst day cover and the fi rst day cancel were not ready at the time received her education in news- of printing this magazine. They will both be presented on paper design at Bergh’s School the Post’s homepage and in the next edition of Ålandsposten of Communication in Stockholm. frimärken. Her previous engagements include work for the marketing department of the Bank of Åland and the inhouse advertising agencies of various printing houses. Running her own ÅLAND POST AND THE PINK RIBBON advertising business since 1997, she has previously operated the Each year, the Åland Cancer Society raises money as part of the agency McArena and currently runs the agency Samba Media. international campaign distinguished by the pink awareness ribbon. This is Carina’s fi rst stamp for All funds that are raised in Åland are used for the benefi t of local Åland Post. However, when asked cancer patients. In 2012, Åland Post actively takes part in the collec- to create a personalized stamp tion of funds on behalf of the pink awareness ribbon. The Post’s for a robot conference held in efforts will be noticeable in a number of ways. Details about the Åland in 2007, Carina used the My Stamps option in the Åland Post’s fundraising efforts will be published at www.posten.ax and in Post web shop to do so. coming editions of Ålandsposten frimärken. ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 19

A pink charity stamp

n many parts of the world, ctober is pink. his is the month when various organisations arrange fundraising activities to benefi t breast cancer research and to promote awareness about the disease. 2012 sees the fi rst Åland charity stamp. he Åland ancer ociety receives part of the selling price.

The stamp is issued in connection with the Pink year. The series of charity stamps continues in 2013 Ribbon awareness campaign in October. Åland when funds will be raised for the benefi t of the Blue designer Carina Sommarström, previously a breast Ribbon awareness campaign (prostate cancer). cancer patient herself, has created the stamp. Read more about her at www.posten.ax. A FORCEFUL AMAZON Carina’s stamp motif holds a great deal of symbolism. PINK RIBBON PRODUCTS FOR SALE Featuring an amazon, a female warrior without her The Åland charity stamp sells at €1.20, €0.20 of right breast, it symbolizes Carina’s perception of her- which is awarded to the Åland Cancer Society in self after she was diagnosed with cancer. The symbol full. Also available on the day of issue are other Pink has helped her and given her strength. The spear held Ribbon products such as postcards, pins with the by the woman is in fact a stick used by breast cancer pink ribbon logo, a pink model car and a stamp patients in connection with their rehabilitation, and watch. Even more products will appear in the Post’s the spearhead is a symbol created by Carina on behalf web shop at www.posten.ax in October. A specifi ed of her networking group Warriors of Light. percentage of the selling prices of these products will be donated directly to the Åland Cancer Society. FOOD, LOVE AND SLEEP Instead of the woman’s right breast we see a tattoo FUNDS ARE RAISED OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS with many different symbols representing impor- At the end of 2012, Åland Post calculates the total tant issues to consider when going through cancer sum raised and donates the amount to the Åland treatment: food, music, dancing, animals, laughter, Cancer Society. An additional amount will be friends, love, the sun and sleep. At www.posten.ax, we awarded at the end of 2013 for sales during that have listed the various symbols and their meanings. 20 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN

The fi rst day cancel depicts a skate. 304 • CHRISTMAS 2012

DATE OF ISSUE 9 October 2012 ARTIST Minna L. Immonen EDITION 350 000 DENOMINATION Julpost (€0.60) PRICE FDC €1.20 SIZE OF STAMP 35.4 x 26 mm SIZE OF SHEET 2 x 20 stamps PAPER 110 g/m² PERFORATION 13 per 2 cm PRINTING METHOD 4-colour offset PRINTING HOUSE Cartor Security Printing

On the fi rst day cover, Minna has painted three bullfi nches on a pile of parcels, symbolizing the arrival of Christmas mail. MINNA L. IMMONEN

Artist Minna L. Immonen (born in 1964) from Oulunsalo qualifi ed as a graphic designer in Rovaniemi, northern Finland, and has attended classes at independent art schools in Lapland and Liminka (Finland). She now runs her own company Minna-Kortti that publishes cards, calendars and paintings. This is Minna’s fi rst stamp for Åland Post. She is also the artist behind this year’s Christmas seals.

The gutter pair strip is decorated by Minna L. Immonen’s Christmassy illustrations. ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 21

ea-inspired hristmas

innish artist inna . mmonen created this year’s hristmas stamp, combining a traditional hristmas motif with typically Åland features.

Minna L. Immonen has been drawing since designs such as pixies, apples and gingerbread childhood, focusing on painting since her senior biscuits and the cover of a Fazer’s chocolate box in school days. Having completed an education as a 2008. She has also illustrated a number of books. graphic designer and attended various art schools, she started her own company Minna-Kortti in the PREFERS CHRISTMAS MOTIFS 1980s. Minna’s watercolour paintings are today Minna describes the Christmas stamp in this way: familiar to large parts of the Finnish population, “Inspired by the sea, the motif still has a Christ- her illustrations distinguishing themselves by the massy accent. The motif on the fi rst day cover individual story told by each illustration. symbolizes the arrival of Christmas mail.” She paints many different types of motifs, but REMEMBERS CHRISTMAS STAMP EXHIBITION prefers Christmas motifs. For Post Finland, Minna has previously created “I enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.” the 2000 Valentine’s Day stamps and the 2009 She celebrates a traditional Finnish Christmas, at Christmas stamps. Since 1980, she has taken part in home with her family. various types of exhibitions all over Finland. “I especially remember the 2009 Christmas SUBSCRIBE TO POSTCARDS stamp exhibition,” Minna reveals. Minna has also created the 2012 Christmas seals to be described in detail in our next magazine. CHINAWARE AND CHOCOLATE BOXES The stamp is also available in the form of a post- In addition to cards, stamps and paintings, Minna card. Åland postcards will be available on standing has designed Chinaware for Arabia of Finland, order subscription as of this year. To order, simply including a children’s series with teddy bears and complete and return the coupon in the ordering Christmas mugs and jars with traditional Christmas catalogue. 22 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN

Animals celebrating Christmas

he 2012 postal stationery cards appear in time for Christmas. esigned by artist lexander indén, the funny and different motifs of the cards are well suited for both hristmas cards and winter greetings.

Alexander has designed four animals celebrating HARE IN A HOT TUB Christmas in various ways. The fi rst card shows a Leaving its tracks in the snow, a hare has jumped roe in a knitted sweater, sitting in a chair reading into the hot tub shown on the fourth and last card. while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate or, perhaps, With a box of carrots within reach, it is very content mulled wine. A small fox relaxes by the chair, and to relax in the hot water. The sea, the archipelago the scenery is highlighted by the shining moon. and a Christmas tree on a rock sets the background.

PIKE DRESSED IN CARDIGAN ALL ANIMALS ARE HAPPY The motif of another card takes us below the ice The common feature of the four card designs is that the where we fi nd a merry pike, dressed in a warm, animals all seem to be merry and enjoying themselves. green cardigan. Further down swims a chubbier The cards are therefore perfect to send as a greeting type of fi sh, also dressed in a warm sweater. Some- to your friends and acquaintances regardsless of season! one also let down a Christmas star on a fi shing line All postal stationery cards are issued with a postage- through a jig hole in the ice. paid symbol and may be posted from Åland to any destination in the world without additional postage. THREE SQUIRRELS DANCING IN A RING The third card shows us three merry squirrels danc- SUBSCRIBE TO POSTAL STATIONERY ing in a ring around a tree decorated with Christ- Start a subscription for postal stationery by com- mas baubles, tinsel and a star at the top. Dressed pleting the coupon in the ordering catalogue. The in warming cardigans, the squirrels all seem to be annual issue of postal stationery cards is 3–4, the happy and enjoying themselves. theme changing each year. ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 23

POSTAL STATIONERY CARDS, The postage paid symbol ANIMALS CELEBRATING is a snowball lantern. CHRISTMAS

DATE OF ISSUE 9 October 2012 ARTIST Alexander Lindén EDITION 4 x 8 000 PRICE €1.90 / card €7.60 / set of 4 cards SIZE 105 x148 mm PAPER Chromocard 240 g PRINTING METHOD 4-colour offset PRINTING HOUSE Arkmedia JOHN HÄGGBLOM

ALEXANDER LINDÉN

Born in 1980 and raised in Vårdö, Åland, Alexander now lives in Sollefteå, Sweden. He has studied Creative Programming at the University in Gävle where he also completed the Visual Narrative programme. He also studied at the Basis School of Art. He has worked for video game developer Grin in Stockholm and for gaming provider Paf in Åland, designing game graphics. Since 2008, he freelances for various employers. For Åland Post Stamps he recently created the 2011 Christmas decorations and exhibition cards. In addition to the 2012 postal stationery cards, Alexander Lindén has designed he has also designed the two animals celebrating Christmas in various ways, the common feature stamps featuring buses issued in of the designs being that the ani- September this year. mals all seem happy and pleased. 24 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN

301 AND 302 • BUSES: VOLVO L224 AND FORD TT

DATE OF ISSUE The fi rst day cancel 19 September 2012 shows a tire from a Ford TT. ARTIST Alexander Lindén EDITION 2 x 180 000 DENOMINATIONS Inrikes (€0.95) (Volvo L224) Europa (€0.95) (Ford TT) PRICE FDC €2.50 SIZE OF STAMPS 38.5 x 30 mm SIZE OF SHEETS 2 x 15 stamps PAPER 102 g/m² PERFORATION 13 per 2 cm PRINTING METHOD 4-colour offset PRINTING HOUSE Southern Colour print JOHN HÄGGBLOM

ALEXANDER LINDÉN The stamp photo shows the Ford TT parked at the mail jetty in Eckerö with the Born in 1980 and raised in Post & Customs House in the background. The motif is based upon a picture showing the Martha women from Eastern Saltvik on an excursion. Vårdö, Åland, Alexander now lives in Sollefteå, Sweden. He has studied Creative Programming at the University in Gävle where he also completed the Visual Narrative programme. He also studied at the Basis School of Art. He has worked for video game developer Grin in Stockholm and for gaming provider Paf in Åland, designing game graphics. Since 2008, he freelances for various employers. For Åland Post Stamps he has created the 2011 Christmas decorations and exhibition cards. In addition to the bus stamps, he has recently also designed the 2012 postal stationery cards on a Christmas theme to be issued in October. The fi rst day cover is illustrated by a Scania Vabis B55 from 1962. ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 25

Smugglers’ bus and Tired Theodor

he history of public transportation in Åland started some 90 years ago. uite a few buses have rolled on the Åland roads since then. wo stamps now feature two of them – a ord TT and a olvo L224.

The Ford TT from 1924 was initially owned by run from the authorities, but the sheriff managed to Rafael Virtanen in Saltvik. Together with two enter the bus and stop it. The driver then claimed friends, he built the truck body himself and that he was carrying crayfi sh but, upon confi scation, procured the chassis and engine from . With the “crayfi sh” proved to be quite a few cans of liquor. hood, it then cost 28 000 Finnish mark. A press The case was treated in the district court twice, Mr cutting from the newspaper Åland, 16 June 1924, Virtanen and his partner being sentenced to pay a informs that Saltvik’s Traffi c Autobus departs from fi ne for complicity in trickery with liquors. The bus different locations in northern Åland to Mariehamn as well as the liquor was confi scated. three mornings a week to return in the afternoons. BUS ALTERED INTO TRUCK CRAYFISH WERE LIQUOR The decision to confi scate the bus was repealed The nickname ‘Smugglers’ bus’ derives from an by Turku Court of Appeal in April 1929 but, by incident in August 1925, when it was illegal in then, the bus had already been taken out of service Finland to sell alcoholic beverages (the ). because of its poor condition. Records show that it One night, the bus, its passenger and driver Rafael was registered as a truck already in 1926. Virtanen were stopped in a small road in Saltvik by a police constable, the head of the enforcement dis- TIRES CHANGED trict and the county sheriff, who had been notifi ed The other bus stamp shows a Volvo L224 from that Algoth Niska, a locally well-known bootlegger, 1954. It had 29 + 1 seats and was owned by Toivo was in the district. Rafael Virtanen attempted to Williams in Lumparland between 1954 and 1967. 26 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN

various connections. The old leather seats have been exhanged, but the back of the seats and the rest of ired heodore got its nickname the interior fi ttings remain in the original condition. because of its weak engine WEAK ENGINE The bus was nicknamed Tired Theodore because of its weak 90 horsepower engine. Presumably, the The bus was out of use until 1978, parked in a coach vehicle was not meant for quite as heavy loads as it house in Lumparland. When taken into use again, turned out to carry. From the very beginning, Tired the bus could strangely enough be started without Theodore was a truck chassis with the bodywork of any problems. The only action needed to be taken a bus added to it. was the changing of two tires; new tires, on the other hand, proved diffi cult to acquire, since the correct OLDEST ROADWORTHY BUS dimension was no longer in use. Artist Alexander Lindén has featured a Scania Vabis B55 with a 5-cutter body from1962 on the fi rst day INSPECTED AS VINTAGE cover. Originally owned by Georg Wilhelmsson, the Painted at the coachwork factory outside Turku, the bus had room for 36 + 1 passengers. From 1976 to bus was later displayed at various shows in Stockholm 1978, it was owned by newly founded bus operating and Helsinki. From 1978 to 1994, it was owned by company Vårdö Busstrafi k Ab. Today, it is owned by the bus operating company Bussbolaget Williams & Bo Meklin in Sund and has regained its original attire Co. and later by Williams Buss Ab until 1999, when in green and yellow. The bus has been parked in a it was inspected to operate as a classic bus. The bus shelter in Sund for more than 30 years, but the owner is currently owned by Roland and Rolf Lundström checks the oil and tires and run the engine every year. in Inkoo in southern Finland. Despite the fact that it is now unregistered, the bus is today the oldest roadworthy bus in Åland. SEATS EXCHANGED Sold in 2000, it regained its original registration Sources: Vidar Williams and ”Ålands busshistoria” by Bo plate number ÅL-419. The bus is today used in Ahlnäs.

The process of creating a stamp always starts with the artist’s outline which is later adapted, resulting in a fi nished stamp. The above illustrations show different phases of the process with the bus motif ‘Tired Theodore’. ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 27 CALENDAR 2012 issues

1 February Wooden duck decoys, Eider Postal label, frama 1 February Passenger ferries 2 stamps, 2 postcards 21 March Nordic – Life at Sea 1 miniature sheet, 1 postcard 16 April Titanic 100 years 1 stamp 26 April The Man at the Wheel 1 stamp 9 May Europa – Visit Åland 1 stamp, 1 postcard 4 June My Stamps – My Åland Mini-sheet of 8 stamps, 1 motif, 1 postcard 4 June Dragonfl ies 2 stamps, 2 maximum cards 23 August Architectural nostalgia Booklet, 3 x 3 motifs, 3 maximum cards 19 September Buses 2 stamps, 2 postcards 1 October Pink Ribbon 1 stamp 9 October Christmas 1 stamp, 1 postcard 9 October Postal stationery Christmas 4 postal stationery cards

9 October Christmas seals Sheet of 20 self-adhesive seals

Deliveries and deadlines (NOTE! PRELIMINARY TIMES OF DELIVERY)

DELIVERY DEADLINE SUBS. NUMBER CHANGES DELIVERY CONTENTS 1-2012 29 February April Postal labels, Passenger ferries, Nordic – Life at Sea (miniature sheet), Titanic 100 years, 3 postcards 2-2012 2 May June The Man at the Wheel, Europa – Visit Åland, My Stamps – My Åland, Dragonfl ies, 2 maximum cards, 2 postcards 3-2012 5 September October Architectural nostalgia (booklet), Buses, Christmas, 3 maximum cards, 4 postal stationery cards, Pink Ribbon, 3 postcards 4-2012 24 October November Year Sets, packs, year pages, Christmas seals and decorations etc.

Other subscription deliveries (NOTE! PRELIMINARY TIMES OF DELIVERY)

PRODUCT DELIVERY PRODUCT DELIVERY Åland provincial coin 2011 January 2012 euro coin set May Passenger ferries, collector’s sheets February Stamp watch no. 10 June Nordic Set March Model van no. 26 September Model van no. 25 April Stamp watch no. 11 October 28 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN

CALENDAR

2012 Exhibitions Åland Post Stamps takes part in the exhibitions listed below. The list is not fi nal and additions or alterations may be made. A complete and updated list of exhibitions is available at www.posten.ax.

HUDDEX/FRIMUNG 2012 TAVASTEX 2012 STAMPS IN SVEDALA NORDIA 2012 Huddinge, Sweden Hämeenlinna, Finland Svedala, Sweden Roskilde, Denmark 3–4 March 27–29 April 8–9 September 2–4 November

TURUN KEVÄT DIE LIBA 2012 NORDPOST BEIJING 2012 Turku, Finland Schaan, Liechtenstein Hamburg, Beijing, China 10–11 March 16–19 August 28–30 September Date not set

INT. BRIEFMARKENMESSE FRIMÄRKETS DAG INT. BRIEFMARKENBÖRSE Essen, Germany Stockholm, Sweden Sindelfi ngen, Germany, 12–14 April Date not set 28–30 October

An exhibition card, cancellation and stamp will be available at all the above exhibitions. The 2012 theme is the coat of arms of each city we visit. Artist is Jonas Wilén.

2012 Special cancellations The following 2012 events have, so far, been issued with special cancellations:

30.3 ÅLAND PEACE INSTITUT 20 YEARS 6.10 PINK RIBBON GALA

4.6 DRAGONFLIES (MAXIMUM CARDS) 9.10 STAMP DAY

9.6 ÅLAND AUTONOMY 90 YEARS 12.10 MARTHA ASSOCIATION, ÅLAND DISTRICT 100 YEARS

16.6 POSTAL BOAT RACE 9.11 THE ÅLAND DEMENTIA ASSOCIATION 20 YEARS

23.8 ARCHITECTURAL NOSTALGIA (MAXIMUM CARDS)

Additions to the above list may be made. In that case, they will be listed in the next edition of this magazine and announced at www.posten.ax, where illustrations of the special cancellations can also be viewed.

Holiday closing Åland Post Stamps is closed on the following public holidays:

ASCENSION DAY MIDSUMMER EVE 17 May 22 June

Next magazine The next edition of Ålandsposten Frimärken will be dispatched in November 2012.