Yesterday in Stamps: Sweden and Finland by Montgomery Mulford (From STAMPS Magazine, January 6, 1940) The real rise of Sweden as a nation began about 1254 with of Stockholm, the capital city, is seen the Falklung dynasty, the ruling house which founded Stock- on the 10c 1924 adhesive. Semipostals holm. In 1397 we find the formation of the Union of Caldmar were introduced in 1916, and airmails when Scandinavia united, and the three states of Sweden. Nor- b y way, and Denmark, each maintaining their own parliament and 1920. constitution under the union. By 1412, however, when Schleswig and Holstein revolted, the union was weakened, and 36 years later Sweden withdrew when Gustavus Vasa was able to create a Swedish independency which was maintained. From then on Sweden rises, until in 1700 under Charles XII Sweden Sc. 39. the nation enters into a period of domination by invading Den- King Oscar II mark to meet a Russian force bent on attacking the country. The Sweden Sc. 198. Swedes were victorious at Narva, but half a dozen years later Stockholm skyline. Peter the Great of Russia had become strong, and was maneu- vering to trap Sweden. This happened in 1709 at Poltava when Charles XII was forced to flee to Turkey, and Russia gained the Baltic. While the Swedish king was absent, Europe attempted to dismember Sweden, and Prussia seized Pomerania and other areas, which the Swedes had controlled. Russia and Sweden agreed upon peace, and Russia was officially recognized, after 1721, as owning the Baltic coast, Sweden semipostal, Sc. B32. which included Estonia. Latvia and Lithuania. Sweden, how- King Gustav V Sweden airmail Sc. 4. ever, still held on to most of Finland, but in 1807 the Russians Plane over Stockholm were able to get this area too. Since then Sweden has not spread eastward, and from the early 19th century Sweden has been a Gustavus Vasa, who liberated minor power in world affairs. the Swedes from Danish rule is In 1814, with the defeat of Na- honored by stamps of 1921. Gus- poleon, the allied powers permitted tavus Adolphus, great medieval king Sweden to take over Norway, a union who made Sweden a great power, that never was very satisfactory. In 1905 is shown on the issue for 1920-24. Sweden Sc. 232. Gus- the union split without war and Norway In the mid-twelfth century tavus Adophus’ memory went her own way once more. Two is honored. (1157) Sweden conquered the land years after the split, Gustav V ascended which later became Finland. The the Swedish throne and rules to this day. Swedes ruled there until the early years of the 19th century, Sweden Sc. 307. During the first World War Sweden when Czar Alexander I in 1809 conquered the “land of the King Gustav V maintained neutrality, and has steered lakes” for Russia. away from political friction until the But despite having been under foreign domination for so end of 1939. Then during the first week of December, 1939, as long, the Finns retained a strong spirit of individualism so that the Russians were taking Finland, the Swedes ordered a general when the empire of Russia collapsed in 1917 the Finns were able mobilization, since hearing that a Rus- within a year not only to proclaim independence but to erect a sian or German, or combined invasion republic at once. was about to take place against their The Finns are a hardy people, intelligent, straightforward, country! Sweden is an iron ore center and honest. Under the republic, which between 1918 and 1939 and rich in timber. used the old ducal coat of arms with a royal crown as its symbol, Sweden’s first postage stamps were the people forged ahead with sturdy determination. Paper, cotton issued in 1855 showing the national and saw mills were established; glass factories, metal industries, coat of arms. The first portrait used was and the manufacture of sulphite, sulphates and cellulose were that of King Oscar II in 1885. Gustav created. The country began to grow into an industrial nation. V, present monarch, was first portrayed Finland won the approbation of all America for its display on Swedish stamps in 1910. The skyline Sweden Sc. 2 of true democracy and the character to live up to the ideals of 14 Mekeel's & Stamps MAGAZINE November 26, 2010 a democratic state. Though their resources were limited, it was The first pictorial issue for this Baltic a matter of honor with them that they should fulfill their obli- country appeared in 1929 and showing gations. Thus, they became the only nation to pay their [World scenes in Abo—the cathedral, a ship, and War I] war debts to the United States. the Abo castle. In celebrating the national “Man’s inhumanity to man” during the past few years has epic, in 1925 appeared a series of stamps stirred the people of America to many utterances of disapproval, honoring the “Kalevala.” but none of the encroachments of one nation upon another has When evoked the call to action in this country that has followed the Finland was Russian invasion of Finland. People are not only willing, but fighting to eager to give their dollars that the members of this noble race attain inde- shall be fed and clothed and sheltered and permitted to survive. pendence Finland Sc. 156, One thing is certain; they are a united people. Perhaps unity, her leader Turku Cathedral character, and their indomitable courage and determination will was von Finland Sc. 209. Kaleva- prove a power too great for the superior numbers of their enemy. Mannerheim, la, the Finnish National Defense lines such as the Mannerheim line in the southeast, the Finnish epic, is commemorated. are impregnable to infantry. Such a defense line would have been strongman. In impervious in 1914-18. Today, when planes can swerve above 1937, a 2m. stamp commemorates him such fortified areas, the Russian bear stretches out, but thus far and portrays him fittingly. its claws have been surprisingly dull. Finland’s first Finland had its first semipostals ap- postage as a duchy un- peared in 1922, and der Russian dominion, in those which follow 1856, the stamps showing are picturesque. Finland Sc. 213, the coat of arms in an oval The first airmail von Mannerheim shape. Ducal issues were issue, a zeppelin used until 1911 when the issue, came in 1930. Finland Sc. B1 Finland Sc. 1 last appeared. Half a dozen years later the Helsingfors stamps appeared marking the Finland Sc. 214. Fin- creation of the Finnish republic. The lion land’s stamp issued to of the old coat of arms was used for the commemorate the Colo- design, repeated in the Vasa of 1918 issue nization of Delaware of Finland’s stamps. Finland arms, Sc. 83 Finland Sc. C1 November 26, 2010 Mekeel's & Stamps MAGAZINE 15.