posten.axposten.ax

L I S H N G E

N 1 3 O . 2 – 2 0

JOAKIM VISUALIZES IMPORTANT MESSAGE

ÅLAND AUCTIONS P. 3 TOWN THEATRE CELEBRATES 100 YEARS P. 14 ANGELIC CHRISTMAS SEALS

AND DECORATIONS P. 18 ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 1 nita äggblom DIRECTOR ÅLAND POST STAMPS

ew challenges

As of 20 August, Åland chairs the Stamps and Philately working group of PostEurop, the unit responsible for the compilation of themes for future Europa stamps. Another important task is to strengthen inter- national cooperation within the philatelic industry. Representing a small postal administration, I consider the chairmanship an acknowledgement of Åland’s achievements in the collecting business for almost 30 years. Acting as pivot for the European postal administrations will be a demanding task; yet, the position offers infi nite opportunities for cultivating new international liaisons.

2–2013

ÅLAND POST LTD STAMPS PO BOX 1100 AX-22111 MARIEHAMN ÅLAND, Finland TELEPHONE E-MAIL ontents From Finland: [email protected] Editorial 2 018 636 641 From abroad: EDITORS News 3 +358 18 636 641 Anita Häggblom Telephone hours: Heidemarie Eriksson Christmas 2013 4 Björn Wennström Mon–Fri 9 am – 4 pm Artifi cial Velvet Scoter 5 In July: Mon–Fri 9 am – 3 pm Cecilia Mattsson There and back 6 FAX TEXT From Finland: Björn Wennström Ships at sea 11 018 636 608 Gunilla Häggblom 100 years of unoffi cial civic theatre 14 From abroad: TRANSLATION +358 18 636 608 Kristine Sund Åland passenger ferries 16 INTERNET Angelic Christmas seals and LAYOUT www.posten.ax decorations 18 Cecilia Mattsson Nordic stamps: 2013 First day covers 20 www.topoftheworld.nu PRODUCTION VISITING ADDRESS Åland Post Ltd 2013 Exhibition cards 21 Flygfältsvägen10 Waasa Graphics 2013 Special cancellations 22 Sviby, Jomala COVER PHOTO Calendar 23 Matilda Saul

We reserve the right to change the information contained in this publication.

2 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN NEWS

Åland uctions – online novelty

Åland Post launched its own website auction house, Åland Auctions, this autumn. The fi rst auction is being held in November. Two to three auctions will be held every year. By starting up an auction house we wish to offer better service to our customers, even on the market To guarantee a high quality appraisal, for older products. The objects put up for auction Åland Post has employed an expert have been consigned by outside sellers and are in the fi eld. Our auction co-ordinator not supplied by Åland Post. Initially, all objects Tom Granberg has previously worked will be older philatelic material such as stamps, in the stamp business as a dealer in covers and cards as well as coins. Future auction central Helsinki. He has also been objects may also include other types of collectibles. operating an online auction site for philatelic products. You will fi nd Åland Auctions via the Åland Post homepage, www.posten.ax, and via the direct link www.alandauctions.ax. The auctions will be held in Swedish, Finnish and English. The auction terms www.alandauctions.ax and conditions are also available in German.

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 3 The fi rst day cancel shows the Star of Bethlehem.

hristmas 2013

The two Christmas stamps appearing in November are a joint issue with the Vatican State. Presented in the previous edition of Ålandsposten, the illustra- tions of the fi rst day cover and joint presentation pack were not yet available. New technology perfects both Christmas stamps; using a smartphone or tablet you can download the Two angels decorate the fi rst day cover for this year’s Christmas issue. The angels also appear on the frescoes free app Sepac stamps. Scan either of the stamps with on which the stamp motifs are based. the app and a slide show with especially composed Christmas music reveals itself.

The fresco decorating the cover of thee joint presentation pack shows the Nativity of Jesus, beautifullyifullyyg framed in gold.gold. The pack holds the Åland and the Vaticancan stamps and fi rst day covers. The limited edition is 5000 andand the priceprice is €12.12.

4 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN he current 3-year series of postal labels featuring old wooden duck decoys started in 2012. elvet coter decoy completes the series in 2014. lovely presentation pack holding all three franking labels issued from 2012 to 2014 also appears.

rtifi cial elvet coter

Wildfowl decoys are lifelike dummies used by male bird is, indeed, entirely black with a small hunters to encourage birds to land nearby. Back in white mark underneath the eye. The plumage of the day, decoys were made from plants and wood the female bird is dark brown. but, today, decoys are mostly made from plastic. Artist Juha Pykäläinen has designed both frank- The Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) belongs to ing label and presentation pack to be issued next the family of sea ducks and is common in Åland year on 7 February. waters. It measures from 48 to 56 centimetres. The name of the bird indicates a dark plumage and the Source: http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sv%C3%A4rta

ooden duck decoys – elvet Scoter DATE OF ISSUE: 7 February 2014 The 2012-2014 postal labels decorate the lovely card in the € ARTIST: Juha Pykäläinen pack. Price: 9.70.

DENOMINATION OF SERIES:€0.65; 0.80; 1.00; 1.10 (postage liable to change)

PRICE: FDC €4.15 (liable to change)

SIZE: 40.00 x 30.34 mm

PAPER: Fluorescens 100 g/m²

PRINTING METHOD: 5-colour offset

PRINTING HOUSE: The Lowe Martin Group

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 5

THERE AND BACK

oakim aul is the name of the Åland artist behind the 2014 charity stamp focusing on eroolerance. t 37, he has already accomplished a great deal and worked with some of the largest clients within advertising. e now returns from ew ork to his home patch in Åland to move his career in a new direction.

When he was 12, Joakim moved with his family he puts it; without doubt a fact for which Joakim from northern Sweden to Åland. Moving from retrospectively thanks his lucky stars. Instead, he Lycksele to Åland was a big boost for Joakim who headed for Tammisaari, a small Finland-Swedish soon adapted to the peaceful environment close to town located an hour’s drive from Helsinki. Joakim nature. After primary school, Joakim made a few started on a study programme in graphic design, a attempts at studying at secondary school ‘Ålands subject that suited him perfectly. After two years of lyceum’, but “my focus did not quite suffi ce”, as studies, he returned home to Åland to put his newly

6 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN MATILDA SAUL MATILDA

During his work with the stamp motif, Joakim used his grandfather’s old surgical loupes. In his time, his grandfather was a specialist in the disorders of the ear, nose or throat and, now, Åland stamp production also benefi ts from his magnifying glasses.

acquired skills into use. He soon got a trainee post online courses at Bergh’s School of Communica- at the newly started entertainment magazine XIT. tion in Stockholm. His online courses turned into “XIT was the perfect environment for me full-time studies, and Joakim was becoming fi rmly in which to prosper and grow; a rather peculiar established in the advertising world of Stockholm. magazine with a tonality of its own. I designed the Beginning his full-time studies at Bergh’s, Joakim advertisements for the magazine and particularly had contacted a recently started communication enjoyed that many advertisers wanted us to adapt business to inquire if they would act as his mentor. their ads to the target group of the magazine.” The company thrived and expanded considerably during his two years of studies. When the time FACING NEW CHALLENGES came for Joakim to stand on his own feet, he bene- Joakim’s post as a trainee quickly became a perman- fi tted from their repute and knowledge. Despite ent post. When XIT was sold to new owners after 4 the prevailing recession in the communication and years, the original team behind the magazine slowly IT-businesses in the early 2000s, Joakim soon got split up. At this point, Joakim was already taking an interesting job in his preferred fi eld of interest.

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 7 MATILDA SAUL MATILDA

“After a while, some friends and I decided that we ought to start our own advertising agency focusing on creating better advertising. We carried out our plans and won some important Swedish customers, which gave us a great deal of positive attention.” After a few years of self-management, however, the friends reached the conclusion that, for a team of creative people, one of the disadvantages in run- ning their own business is the amount of adminis- trative work. The entire crew eventually succeeded in fi nding new employment as a team with a larger advertising agency.

WITH NEW YORK IN VIEW Joakim met his girlfriend Maja Fernqvist during his years of studies at Bergh’s, and the two have worked side by side since then. Maja’s early ambition was to Joakim performed his work with the Zero tolerance stamp in his parental home in Bamböle, Åland. go to New York to test her wings: “Things had just begun to kick off for us on the Swedish market for advertising when Maja wanted to leave for New York. She went and checked the strived at the time of moving – a job at a dynamic territory and, after a while, I also moved to New agency, directorship, interesting customers and York. We were involved in establishing a Scandi- good compensation. Something was still missing, navian minimalistic style that quickly gained atten- though, so Joakim and Maja both quit their jobs in tion on the international market.” 2012 to commit to alternative career paths, Joakim During their years in New York, Joakim and as photographer within fashion design and Maja as Maja have worked with many acknowledged and fi lm director. well-known brands some of which are Hennessy, “It’ll be interesting to fi nd out just how quickly we Lego, Levi’s and Audi. Creating communication can establish new careers. With Åland and Sweden for the international market has been extremely as homebase for our creative work, we plan to carry educational according to Joakim: out our various assignments around the world.” “Many of our customers have considerable Joakim’s short-term goal is to establish himself experience of creating national publicity cam- as fashion photographer, a diffi cult task in a tough paigns, but our customers have often entrusted us business. His advertising network is not viable with the task of creating a mutual communication within the world of fashion. But Joakim never platform for the international market. One specifi c leaves his objective out of sight and he has already example is our co-operation with Audi. Our con- proved himself capable of reaching his goals. cept was to only show the car itself for a few seconds at the end of the TV commercial, an approach ABOUT THE COMMISSION AS A STAMP ARTIST which had not earlier been imaginable.” First hearing of the commission to create a char- ity stamp for Åland Post, Joakim was intrigued, ALTERNATIVE CAREER PATHS especially by the challenge of communicating the The years in New York went by quickly; Joakim and sensitive anti-drug message, the quintessence of the Maja had obtained the position for which they had Zero Tolerance stamp:

8 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN Joakim has chosen crossbones as fi rst day cancel motif.

323 • ero tolerance DATE OF ISSUE: 11 April 2014

ARTIST: Joakim Saul

EDITION: 150 000

DENOMINATION: €1.10 + €0.20

PRICE: FDC €1.90

STAMP SIZE: 52 x 23.37 mm

SHEET SIZE: 2 x 15 stamps

PAPER: 102 g/m²

PERFORATION: 13 per 2 cm

PRINTING METHOD: 4-colour offset

PRINTING HOUSE: Southern Colour Print Symbolizing the idea of ”temptation leading to downfall”, both snakes, forbidden fruit and a death’s-head illustrate the gutter strip of the sheet as well as the fi rst day cover.

oakim aul describes the commission: “Anti-drug messages and strategies for work towards fundamentally changing attitudes towards drugs and alcohol are generally very diffi cult commissions. The more emphasis the communicator places on the fact that the use of drugs and alcohol is wrong, the more interesting it may be to try them. I fell for the idea of ”temptation that leads to downfall” at an early stage, and suitable symbols for this subject was forbidden ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 9 fruit, carnivorous plants and snakes.” MATILDA SAUL MATILDA

All stamp illustrations were made by hand, work that demands patience as well as skill.

“The commission was an interesting challenge, both in regards of communication and aesthetics. ero tolerance My objective is to make people stop and think. Anti-drug messages are generally very diffi cult to Started in 2013 on the initiative of the Åland Government (Landskapsregeringen), the Zero communicate since they may very well create a tolerance project aims at preventing the use boomerang effect, in this case, make the forbidden of various types of drugs (alcohol, narcotic seem more attractive.” drugs, substances and tobacco) among young people. The non-governmental health care Joakim was also attracted to the idea of designing a organization Folkhälsan på Åland acts as legal tender, which a stamp, in fact, is. At fi rst glance, project manager.

Joakim’s stamp design bears a certain resemblance to The long-term objective of the Zero tolerance that of a dollar bill. Leaping out from all other Åland project is to create an Åland society in which stamps, the Zero tolerance stamp should bring fur- the attitudes to the use of drugs have changed and the total drug consumption has consider- ther attention to the serious and important matter. ably decreased. Furthermore, the project aims at delaying the alcohol and tobacco debut PARENTAL HOME JOAKIM’S BOLTHOLE age hence reducing the damages related to Joakim’s favourite spot and countryside bolthole for the use of drugs. The goal may be reached by a higher degree of coordination in the fi eld his stays in Åland is his parental home in Bamböle, of municipal work, through coordinating and Finström. A true countryside idyll with horses and developing the initiatives done by various dogs. Simply a place for relaxation! societies and organisations and through maximising knowledge and awareness “Last winter, when thick layers of snow covered among parents and other adults. The aim is the countryside, I made certain to go skiing quite to create awareness of the project by active often. The silence in Åland is a wonderful contrast interaction with Åland media and a higher level of presence in social media. to life in New York,” Joakim says.

10 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN he third and last part of the ordic series featuring the orth by the ea depicts ships at sea. he Åland contribution presents the view of the bridge of a freighter out towards the horizon.

SHIPS AT SEA

The development of Åland into a seafaring nation up the world’s largest fl eet of sailing ships, a fl eet gained momentum around the middle of the 1800s that was operated with good profi tability, too. with a vigorous development of farmer-seafaring. Farmer-seafaring was closely connected with the DEVELOPING THE CARRYING TRADE primary industries of farming, fi shing and forestry. To keep up with the competition, the Åland com- Wood and fi sh were exported on smaller vessels to panies gradually phased out the great sailing ships close by cities as Turku and Stockholm. and replaced them by motorized vessels. Buying the S/S Thornbury in 1928, cargo ship-owner Hugo PIONEERING SAILING SHIPS Lundqvist was fi rst to invest in a steamer. Hugo The need for both import and export freight Lundqvist’s legacy lives on; the Lundqvist ship- increased as the Åland society grew and the town of ping companies are still today headquartered in Mariehamn began to develop from 1861 onwards. Mariehamn. The seven tanker fl eet plies the Baltic Nikolai Sittkoff was the fi rst Åland businessman Sea, the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. and ship-owner to ensure that an Åland ship, the Other cargo ship companies headquartered in barque S/S Mariehamn, sailed around the world. Åland are Godby Shipping, Rederi Ab Lillgaard More ship-owners settled in Mariehamn and the and Eckerö Shipping. Godby Shipping, for instance, fl eet of sailing ships grew rapidly. From the 1920s works in close collaboration with the Finnish forest onwards, when many ship-owners around the industry. The vessels of Rederi Ab Lillgaard carry world turned to steamships, Åland ship-owners trailer trucks, containers as well as raw material for Gustaf Erikson and Hugo Lundqvist bought up the mass production industry. Eckerö Shipping is sailing ships inexpensively. Between the First and part of Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö and operates seven Second World War, Gustaf Erikson, for one, built Ro-Ro vessels all over Europe and North Africa.

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 11 Appearing on 17 March, the Nordic Set holding the eight miniature sheets issued by the Nordic postal administrations on a joint theme sells at €18.

PASSENGER TRAFFIC TO AND FROM ÅLAND Today, passenger traffi c to and from Åland ports After World War II, sailing ships had fi lled their is intense. Depending on how you calculate, about purpose and the last of the great Åland sailing ships, 30 ferries from Sweden, Finland and Estonia call Pamir and Passat, made their last voyages in 1949. in Åland daily, the major ports being the western Today, the four-masted barque Pommern serves as harbour of Mariehamn and Långnäs in southeast a museum, lying in the western harbour of Marie- Åland. In addition to scheduled passenger traffi c, hamn in memory of the proud sailing ship era. Åland is also a popular summer destination for In the late 1950s, Åland shipping entered a cruise ships from around the world. new era when passenger service between Marie- Shipping is by far the most important sector in hamn and Sweden gained speed. The sale of tax- the Åland economy. Around 4 000 islanders derive free goods made operations profi table from the their livelihood from shipping or from industry start. The increasing tourism in general and the, related to shipping. More than 40 per cent of the at times, favourable exchange rate for visitors also Åland Islands gross national product stems from added to the growing number of passengers. In a shipping. few decades, several Åland shipping companies The last stamp of the current Nordic series has were established, some of which were Rederi Ab been designed by Åland artist Juha Pykäläinen. The Vikinglinjen, Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö and Birka stamp appears on 17 March next year. Line. The possibility for tax-free sales attracted even non-Åland shipping companies to start operations Sources: http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%85lands_ sj%C3%B6fartshistoria and http://kurs01.strax.ax/start. to and from Åland. con?iPage=63&m=88

12 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN 322 • ordic – hips at sea DATE OF ISSUE 17 March 2014

ARTIST: Juha Pykäläinen

EDITION: 90 000

DENOMINATION: €3.00

PRICE: FDC €3.60

STAMP SIZE: 72 x 29 mm

MINIATURE SHEET SIZE: 105 x 70 mm

PAPER: 110 g/m²

PERFORATION: 13 per 2 cm

PRINTING METHOD: 4-colour offset

PRINTING HOUSE: Cartor Security Printing

According to sailors’ tales, the alba- tross illustrated on the fi rst day cover is a seabird previously believed to bear the souls of deceased seamen.

The fi rst day cancel is a propeller. The third and last miniature sheet in the Nordic series depicts a cargo vessel at sea.

uha ykäläinen about his work with the stamp: “With this stamp I wanted to create a sense of the viewer being out at sea. Seeing that I have very little experience of cargo ships, I visited one of Godby Shipping’s vessels where I walked around and sketched. A particularly pleasing factor of this last stamp in the Nordic series was that it clearly provided a timeline. The fi rst stamp depicting Kobba Klintar showed bygone times, the second stamp featuring fi shing pointed to everyday life and this last stamp depicts modern times.” ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 13 he 100th anniversary of the heater ociety in ariehamn on 7 ebruary 2014 is highlighted with the issue of a stamp by Åland artist onas ilén.

100 years of unoffi cial civic theatre

The Theatre Society in Mariehamn is the unoffi cial meeting on 10 June 1914. The name was soon short- civic theatre of Mariehamn. Founded in 1914, the ened to the present ‘Theatre Society in Mariehamn’. society celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2014. Theatre production was popular in Mariehamn ACTIVE START FOR NEWLY ESTABLISHED SOCIETY already before the foundation of the society. As No less than nine different theatre productions were early as the 1880s, when the town only had about staged during the fi rst year of existence. In the early 600 residents, short performances and one-act years, performances were given in the spa hotel, but plays were staged at the clubhouse Societetshuset other premises such as Åland lyceum (the secondary in Mariehamn. school) and the Kino theatre were used, when the hotel was destroyed in a fi re in 1916. Since 1939, Marie- SPA ERA FAVOURED THEATRE hamn town hall serves as domicile for the society. Åland tourism gained momentum in the late 1800s The fi rst chairman of the Theatre Society was Mr thanks to the profi ling of Mariehamn as a seaside Bruno Forss, senior master at the Åland lyceum. resort. Around the turn of the century, seaside life Another driving force in the Mariehamn theatre in Mariehamn thrived, fuelling also theatre activi- life, Mrs Solveig Erikson, became chairman in ties. Professional performers from both Finland and 1956, when she had already been actively involved Sweden teamed up and put up plays in the seaside in the society for 20 years. Solveig served as chair- hotel of the town. man of the society for 30 years. In remembrance When World War I broke out in 1914, these of Solveig Erikson, the society awards a prize, the activities came to a halt, but thanks to a group of Solveig Prize, to one or more persons who have enthusiasts, led by ‘Åland King’ Julius Sundblom excelled in theatre activities during the past year. among others, the ‘Swedish Theatre Society in Fin- land Mariehamn Branch’ could hold its statutory Source: www.teater.ax

14 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN The comedy tragedy masks can be detected in the design of the fi rst day cancel.

3I9 • ariehamn heatre ociety 100 years DATE OF ISSUE: 7 February 2014

ARTIST: Jonas Wilén

EDITION: 150 000

DENOMINATION: €1.50

PRICE: FDC €2.10

STAMP SIZE: 35 x 35 mm

SHEET SIZE: 2 x 15 stamps

PAPER: 110 g/m²

PERFORATION: 13 per 2 cm

PRINTING METHOD: 4-colour offset The motifs for both stamp and fi rst day cover were inspired by the theatre PRINTING HOUSE: Cartor Security Printing play ”Thenne Papegoie” that was put up in 1999 by Mariehamn Theatre Society. The fi rst day cover sells at €2.10.

onas ilén about his work with the stamp: “In my work as a visual artist, I tend to have a ”scenographic” approach to my images. I therefore found it very stimulating to take on a theatre theme this time.”

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 15 he last two stamps in the series featuring assenger ferries appear on 7 ebruary next year. his time, the retainer / irka rincess and the iking ine fl agship / iking race adorn the stamps.

ÅLAND PASSENGER FERRIES

This stamp series started in 2009 and has featured canic reef just off Santorini. Most of the passengers two Åland passenger ferries every year. were rescued in the ensuing rescue operation; the following morning, however, the ship went to the BIRKA PRINCESS – A BIRKA CRUISES RETAINER bottom of the sea. Birka Princess was built in 1986 for Birka Line (now Birka Cruises) by Valmet shipyard in Helsinki M/S VIKING GRACE – AN INNOVATIVE VESSEL as a purpose-built cruise vessel with approx. 1 500 Built for Viking Line by the STX shipyard in Turku, cabin beds and space for only 80 cars. The car deck M/S Viking Grace was launched in August 2012 was entirely removed when she was refi tted in 1999. and now conducts traffi c on the route Mariehamn– The ship conducted cruiseferry traffi c between Turku–Långnäs–Stockholm. The launching of the Stockholm and Mariehamn, and also made longer new ship attracted great interest, and her fi rst cruise cruises around the Baltic Sea during the summer sold out long before ordinary traffi c according to season. Birka Princess attracted a regular group of timetable was commenced. customers, who cruised between Stockholm and The vessel uses an entirely new technique for Mariehamn more than once every month. The ship powering the engines, and the principal type of received additional attention thanks to the Swedish fuel is liquefi ed natural gas (LNG). LNG implies television series ‘High Seas’, a soap opera with the major environmental benefi ts in comparison to story taking place on board M/S Freja, the exterior traditional maritime fuel. M/S Viking Grace has of which was, in fact, portrayed by Birka Princess. attracted enormous international attention in both In 2006, after many years of faithful service, shipping magazines and on homepages as the fi rst Birka Princess was laid up in Mariehamn to be sold large scale passenger ferry to be powered by LNG. to Malta, where she was renamed Sea Diamond. The ship soon sailed under Greek fl ag, however, conducting cruise traffi c in the Greek archipelago. Sources: http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/birka_princess_1986. In the spring of 2007, she ran aground on a vol- htm and http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/M/S_Viking_Grace

16 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN The fi rst day cancel depicts 320 & 321 • assenger ferries M/S Viking Grace. / irka rincess & / iking race

DATE OF ISSUE: 7 February 2014

ARTIST: Håkan Sjöström

EDITION: 2 x 170 000 €1.00), DENOMINATIONS: Inrikes ( Europa (€1.00)

PRICE: FDC €2.60

STAMP SIZES: 36 x 26.1 mm

SHEET SIZES: 2 x 20 stamps

PAPER: 110 g/m²

PERFORATION: 13 per 2 cm On the fi rst day cover we see S/S Drotten, purchased by Viking- PRINTING METHOD: 4-colour offset linjen in1964 to operate between Stockholm and Mariehamn PRINTING HOUSE: Joh. Enschedé Stamps for a short period. The stamp motifs also decorate the gutter strips of the sheets.

åkan jöström Artist Håkan Sjöström (born in 1933) is considered to be one of the foremost marine painters in Scandinavia today. Painting was an important part of Håkan’s youth. Upon completing his Bachelor of Science degree (Econ.), he started working at a shipyard in Turku, where he remained until retirement. Alongside his work, he also painted the shipyard’s newbuildings. Håkan has also had commissions for several shipping companies and publishing companies. ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 17 Åland artist uha ykäläinen has designed this year’s hristmas seals and decorations, the common denominator being angels.

ngelic hristmas seals and decorations

The word for angel derives from the Latin angelus or the Åland tourism industry, the long-term object- the Greek ángelos meaning ‘messenger’. The major ive of the Pirate Club project is to strengthen the religions often depict angels as benevolent celestial competitiveness of the province. beings carrying out God’s tasks. CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS SPREAD WARMTH DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY ACTIVITIES The 2013 Christmas decorations are also designed The 2013 Christmas seals appear on 8 November. as angels. Appearing on 8 November, just as the A sheet sells at €3.70 and holds twenty Christmas Christmas seals and stamps, the set holds four dif- seals of four different angel motifs that resemble ferent Christmas decorations made from brass and old-fashioned scraps. Christmas seals may not be covered in 24-carat gold. Of course, the decorations used for postage but are perfect for decorating your have a golden string so that you may hang them on Christmas mail or gifts. your Christmas tree. The profi t from the sale of Åland Christmas seals This is the ninth set of Christmas decorations is donated to charitable purposes every year. This from Åland Post. It also holds the Christmas stamp year’s benefi ciary is the Pirate Club, a project with featuring Italian painter Pinturicchio’s painting of the objective to develop the all-important Åland the Nativity of Jesus. The price per set is €23. tourism sector to better meet the requirements of visiting families with children. Being developed by Visit Åland in cooperation with private players in Source: http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%84ngel

18 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN Extra gold colour has been applied in the printing of this year’s Christmas seals and appears in the text and stars printed on the sheet.

2013 hristmas seals DATE OF ISSUE: 8 November 2013

ARTIST: Juha Pykäläinen

EDITION: 7 000 sheets of 20 self-adhesive seals

PRICE: €3.70

SEAL SIZE: 26 x 23 mm

SHEET SIZE: 210 x 146 mm

PAPER: 80 g/m²

PRINTING METHOD: 5-colour offset

PRINTING HOUSE: Newprint

The cover illustration of the set of Christmas decorations is identical to one of the Christmas seal motifs.

uha about his work with the Christmas seals and decorations: “When commissioned with designing this year’s Christmas seals and decorations, I found it important to associate the designs with those of the Christmas stamps featuring the Nativity of Jesus. Creating the decora- tions was a particularly interesting and challenging process, seeing that I had to use a technique that I have never used before.” ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 19 2013 FIRST DAY COVERS

Postal stationery, Spring, 5 April 2013 Passenger ferries, Passenger Anastasia,M/S Princess 2013 5 Aug. My Stamps, Åland cheese (mini-sheet), 6 May 2013 Åland Art Museum 50 years, 15 Jan. 2013 y, 20 Aug. 2013 20 Aug. y, Sepac – Peacock Sepac – Peacock Butterfl Europa – Postal vehicles, Europa – Postal 6 May 2013 Old wooden duck decoys, Long-tailed duck (postal label), 19 Feb. 2013 4 June Passenger ferries, Passenger S/S Ålandsfärjan, 19 Feb. 2013 Blue Ribbon, 2 Sep. 2013 Water lilies, Water 2013 Loons & grebes (booklet), 5 April 2013 Music events, 12 July 2013 Christmas 2013, 8 Nov. 2013

This year’s set of fi rst day covers holds 12 FDCs issued during the year. Included in the set are the fi rst day cover of the postal label series featuring old wooden duck decoys as well as this year’s three items of postal stationery. The 2013 FDC Year Set is available from 8 November and costs €36.00.

20 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN 2013 EXHIBITION CARDS

Int. Briefmarkenbörse, Munich, Nordia 2013, Gardabaek, Int. Briefmarkenbörse, Sindelfi ngen, 28 Feb.–2 March 2013 7–9 June 2013 24–26 Oct. 2013

Turun kevät, Turku, 2–3 March 2013 Stamps in Svedala, Svedala, Postimerkkimessut, Helsinki, 7–8 Sep. 2013 25–26 Oct. 2013

Savofi la, Kuopio, 8–10 March 2013 International Collection Expo, Salon philatelique d’automne, Paris, Beijing, 26–29 Sep. 2013 6–9 Nov. 2013

Frimynt, Helsingborg, 27 April 2013 Frimärkets dag, Stockholm, Brasiliana, Rio de Janeiro 2013, 28 Sep. 2013 19–25 Nov. 2013

Int. Briefmarkenmesse, Essen, Frimärks- och vykortsmässa, Monacophil, Monaco, 5–7 Dec. 2013 2–4 May 2013 Norrtälje, 6 Oct. 2013

Åland Post takes part in a number of stamp exhibitions during a year. At all exhibitions we offer an exhibition card holding a special exhibition stamp, cancelled with an exhibition cancel. Artist Staffan Nylander designed the 2013 exhibition products on the theme ’postal vehicles’. All 15 exhibition cards are included in this pack, the price of which is €30.00. Also available at €120.00 is a pack of all the 2013 exhibition stamps, i.e. 15 mini-sheets. ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 21 2013 SPECIAL 19.2 Old wooden duck decoys CANCELLATIONS (maximum card)

14.2 Åland Sea Commanders Association 120 years

20.4 Åland Get-Together, 4.6 Water lilies 15.6 Postal boat race Åland Stamp Collectors’ Society (maximum cards) 40 years

20.8 Peacock Butterfl y 5.10 Pink/Blue Ribbon gala 9.10 Stamp Day (maximum card)

We highlight a number of Åland events each year by issuing a special cancel. All the special cancellations are gathered in a pack released at the end of the year. The pack holds various covers franked with Åland stamps, each cancelled with a special cancel. The 2013 pack is sold at €14.00 and is available from 9 October. 22 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN CALENDAR 2014 ISSUES

7 February Mariehamn Theatre Society 1 stamp, 1 postcard 100 years 7 February Wooden duck decoys, Velvet scoter Postal label, 1 postcard 7 February Passenger ferries 2 stamps, 2 postcards 17 March Nordic – Ships at Sea Miniature sheet, 1 postcard 11 April Zero tolerance 1 stamp, 1 postcard 8 May Europa – Music instrument 1 stamp, 1 postcard 8 May Sepac – Bellfl ower 1 stamp, 1 maximum card 17 May Powerlifting 1 stamp, 1 maximum card 17 May My Stamps, Summer Mini-sheet of 8 stamps, 1 motif, 1 maximum card June/July My Åland 1 stamp, 1 postcard 25 August Golden Age of Åland music Booklet of 9 stamps, 3 x 3 motifs, 3 postcards 25 August Postal stationery, autumn 3 postal stationery cards 9 October Christmas 1 stamp, 1 postcard

9 October Christmas seals Sheet of 20 self-adhesive seals October/ Åland sheep Miniature sheet of 4 stamps, 2 x 2 motifs, November 2 maximum cards

DELIVERIES AND DEADLINES (NOTE! PRELIMINARY TIMES OF DELIVERY)

DELIVERY DEADLINE SUBS. NUMBER CHANGES DELIVERY CONTENTS 1-2014 27 February April Postal label, Theatre Society, 2 Passenger ferries, Nordic (miniature sheet), Zero tolerance, 6 postcards 2-2014 30 April June Europa – Music instrument, Sepac – Bellfl ower, Powerlifting, My stamps – Summer, 3 maximum cards, 1 postcard 3-2014 4 September October My Åland, Golden Age of Åland music (booklet), Christmas, Åland sheep (miniature sheet), postal stationery cards, 2 maximum cards, 5 postcards 4-2014 29 October November Year Sets, packs, year pages, Christmas seals and decorations etc.

OTHER SUBSCRIPTION DELIVERIES (NOTE! PRELIMINARY TIMES OF DELIVERY)

PRODUCT DELIVERY PRODUCT DELIVERY 2014 euro coin set February Sepac folder May Passenger ferries, collector’s sheets February Stamp watch no. 14 May Nordic pack March Model car no. 30 October Model car no. 29 April

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 23 2014 EXHIBITIONS Åland Post takes part in the following exhibitions during 2014. Additions and/or alterations are likely to be made; a complete and updated list is available at www.posten.ax.

INT. BRIEFMARKENBÖRSE BALTEX 2014 SALON D’AUTOMNE Munich, Germany Malmö, Sweden Paris, France 6–8 March 29–31 August 6–9 November

STAMPS IN SVEDALA CHINA NORDIA 2014 Svedala, Sweden Location and date Lilleström, Norway 29–30 March not set 21–23 November

TURUN KEVÄT INT. BRIEFMARKENBÖRSE MONACOPHIL Turku, Finland Sindelfi ngen, Germany Monaco 11–13 April 23–25 October December

INT. BRIEFMARKENMESSE FRIMÄRKETS DAG Essen, Germany Stockholm, Sweden 8–10 May date not set

At all the above exhibitions, we offer an exhibition card, stamp and cancel. The 2014 exhibition products feature bell towers and the Åland designs were created by artist Sandra Henriksson.

2014 SPECIAL CANCELLATIONS So far, the following 2014 events have been issued with special cancellations:

8.5 BELLFLOWER (MAXIMUM CARD) 14.6 POSTAL BOAT RACE

17.5 POWERLIFTING (MAXIMUM CARD) 9.10 STAMP DAY

17.5 MY STAMPS, SUMMER (MAXIMUM CARD) OCT./NOV. ÅLAND SHEEP (MAXIMUM CARDS)

Additions to the above list are likely to be made. In this 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 will be closed on the following public holidays:

FINLAND’S INDEPENDENCE DAY CHRISTMAS NEW YEAR EPIPHANY 6 December 24–26 December 1 January 6 January

NEXT MAGAZINE The next edition of Ålandsposten Frimärken will be posted in April 2014.

24 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN