December brings snow, Christmas and the Åland Post’s stamp program! With the program comes the unfettered delight in exploring Åland’s history, culture and nature.  Three artists premier their very first stamps this year, Mari Oksanen, Sofia Pusa and Danelle Bergström. It’s always exciting to see new artists join the stamp design pantheon.  

Returning this year is photographer David Lundberg, who kicks off (along with Mari Oksanen’s Garden Berries) the calendar with the 3rd entry in his Veteran Tractors series. Lundberg has the uncanny ability to turn farm equipment into photographic works of art. Sharp eyed collectors should appreciate the continuity with the post marks from year to year. 

Also coming back is Martin Mörck with another Lunar New Year entry. This will be his only set for Åland, but if you collect Mörck’s work, don’t miss the pair he’ll be doing for the Faroe Islands in 2023 Frankings kick off Faroe Islands 2023 stamps | Bitter Grounds Magazine.  

A small, but satisfying stamp program. 

January

Garden Berries
Franking Labels

4 stamps, FDC, cancel (more coming)

• black currant ((Ribus nigrum)
• gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa)
• raspberry (Rubus ideaeus)
• strawberry (Fragaria x anassa) 

Artist: Mari Oksanen
These are Oksanen’s first stamps

Release date: January 4, 2022

Veteran Tractors
3rd in series

2 stamps, FDC, cancel, 2 maxicards, sheets of 24

• 1955 Ferguson TES20
• 1960 Fordson Super Major 

Photographer: David Lundberg

Release date: January 4, 2022

February

150 Anniversary of Birth Åland’s First lantråd Carl Björkman (1873–1948)

1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheets of 40
4 colour offset

One of the leading figures of the Åland movement advocating a reunification with Sweden from 1917 to 1922, he can also be attributed the title Žarchitect of the autonomy. In 1922, following the decision on autonomy for Åland by the League of Nations, Björkman was elected to the first Åland parliament and appointed Premier. He remained Premier until 1938….

“On the first day cover, you see Carl Björkman in his office at the provincial parliament. An extract from the shorthand minutes confirming the election of Carl Björkman for Premier in 1922 appears on the back. The first day cancel depicts Carl Björkmans signature, as written on a telegram to the Swedish king.”  Åland Post  

Designer: Johanna Finne

Release date: February 15, 2023

March

Larger crossbill (Loxia pytyopsittacus)

1 stamp, FDC, maxi card, cancel
offset

Parrot Crossbill – eBird

Artistis: Bo Lundwall
Swedish artis Lundwall specialises in wildlife watercolour and oils. His previous stamp Europa – Endangered wildlife – Moor Frogs 2021, which won silver in the Most Beautiful EUROPA Stamp.  Previous stamps include 2019 Woodpeckers, 2017 Forest Mamals, 2015 Åland hunting dogs and 2013 Loons and Grebes.

Lundwall has also designed the 1993 & 1996 Wild Animals series for Swedish post.

Designer: Johanna Finne 

Release date: March 15, 2023

May

EUROPA 2023: PEACE the highest value of humanity

2 stamps, FDC, cancel
offset

 Stamp one:

Stamp one artist: Sofia Pusa
This is Sofia’s first stamp. From her website: 

The Åland Islands are demilitarized since 1856 and neutralized since 1921. This special status has given Åland the nickname “the islands of peace”. The final illustration depicts sunrise over red granite cliffs of the Åland archipelago. Together, the sun and its reflection form the peace sign. Sunrise is symbolic of hope, growth and new beginnings.

Gerald Holtom’s peace sign from 1958 was originally commissioned for a nuclear disarmament campaign. The symbol has naval roots, representing flag semaphore signals for the initials N and D, Nuclear Disarmament. The origin of the peace sign inspired the illustration for the first day cover whereas the flowers in the illustrations draw on the nature of Åland archipelago.
Åland Post (sofiapusa.com)

Stamp two designer: Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir 
Designer for the set: Johanna Finne

Release date: May 9, 2023

Traditional Art of Boat Building in Åland

1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset

Sailing yacht Atlanta. Built with the Nordic clinker method which is was recognised, in 2021, by UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. 

The Sailing Ship Era – Ålands Sjöfartsmuseum (sjofartsmuseum.ax) 

Nordic clinker boats are small, open, wooden boats between five and ten metres long. For almost two millennia, the people of the Nordic region (including the indigenous Sami peoples in Finland, Norway and Sweden and minority groups such as the Kvens in Norway, the Tornedalians in Sweden and the Swedish-speaking population in Finland) have been building clinker boats using the same basic techniques: thin planks are fastened to a backbone of the keel and stems, and the overlapping planks are fastened together with metal rivets, treenails or rope. The shell of the boat is strengthened with frames.  Nordic clinker boat traditions – intangible heritage – Culture Sector – UNESCO

Artist: Danelle Bergström
This is Australian artist Bergström’s first stamp design  
This is an excellent article on Bergström’s move from Australia to Åland in the wake of a devastating loss and re-discovering a connection to the world and her heritage Australian artist Danelle Bergstrom empowered in Åland (anna-fi.translate.goog)
Designer: Johanna Finne

Release date: May 9, 2023

Greeting Cards from Åland 
postal stationary

4 greeting cards

• sun & summer
• sea & water
• food & crafts
• culture & history

Artist: Hannamari Ruohonen
Ruohenen is known for her children’s book illustrations. She has illustrated over 40 books since her first in 2008.

Release date: May 9, 2023

June

Sommarstugor – Åland’s cottage life
Series: Åland’s Autonomy Day

3 stamps, FDC, cancel, strips of 6
offset

Three summer cottages, “Torpet”, “Strandskatan” and “Finngrundet”, were picked from a 2022 photo contest. 

Ålanders, like Canadians have a passion for cottage life. As soon as the weather allows, many are packing up and heading off to quieter, peaceful locals that are closer to nature. 

Artist: Lars Sjööblom
Sjööblom is an artist and engraver from Sweden. His first stamp was the 2008 Kökarsören Lighthouse booklet.

“I was very honoured to be asked to do the entire issue. It was fun getting to create a coherent theme from postmark to postage stamps, and ensuring that they would work both together and individually. …

My style has a feel of engraving technique. In other words, I create a layer of fine lines first using a felt-tip pen. After that I add colour to the motif using coloured pencils. This makes the lines in the drawing sharper and more distinct in the final print on the stamps. 
Åland Post Stamps No 12023, p. 3

Designer: Johanna Finne

Release date: June 9, 2023

 “Open Edition” – Bark Boat in a Jar

1 stamp, FDC, cancel, prepaid post card 

In 2022, for the very first time, Åland Post gave an artist free rein to create a stamp motif. The commission “Open Edition” went to Finnish art photographer Christoffer Relander, who describes his stamp as a preserved childhood memory. Through the stamp he looks back at his Åland roots and childhood summers building wooden boats with this father. Bark boat in a jar -mint – Åland Stamps (alandstamps.com)

Artist: Christoffer Relander
Photographer Relander provided the photos for Åland Post’s  “A story through Åland stamps 2022”. 
Designer: Johanna Finne

Release date: June 9, 2023

July

SEPAC – Viking Market

1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset

This market was set up in 2000 by the Prehistoric Viking Society – Fibula. It is located in the city of Saltvik.

Prehistoric society Fibula was initially called Hlödvergruppen when it was established in the municipality of Saltvik in 2000. The original name came from Hlödver den långe (en. Hlödver the long), who is believed to have been born in Saltvik 1000 years ago and supposedly sailed on king Olav Tryggvason’s legendary viking ship Ormen Långe. The society decided to arrange the first of many viking markets in Saltvik. Since then, the venue has seen a steady growth, with the number of participants, salesmen and buildings currently nearing maximum capacity. Prehistoric Viking society Fornföreningen Fibula on Åland (aboutpaf.com)

Photographer: Alice Åkerblom
Designer: Johanna Finne

Release date: July 27, 2023

September

My stamps, – Decisive impacts – for a flourishing future

2 stamps, FDC, cancel, sheets of 8
offset

This set shows Åland Post’s commitment to sustainability. They are part of the barkraft.ax initiative to promote sustainable living. 

Bärkraft is a network for all sectors of society and all people who want to actively contribute to a sustainable, prosperous and sustainable Åland. Together, the network contributes to realizing Åland’s development and sustainability agenda and the vision everyone can flourish
Network bärkraft.ax | Bärkraft.ax (barkraft.ax)

The stamps show both artist Eriksson and her daughter:

The stamps show Elin’s and her daughter’s gazes meeting at the words “Decisive impacts – for a flourishing future.” A flower bud can be glimpsed behind Elin’s profile, indicating that the choices she makes today will enable the bud to flower in the future. Behind her daughter’s profile, the flower has come into full bloom. My stamps, Sustainability -mint – Åland Stamps (alandstamps.com)

Artist/designer: Elin Eriksson

Release date: September 22, 2022

October

Lunar New Year – Year of the Dragon

1 stamp on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, prepaid postcard (red dragon)
offsest

Designer: Martin Mörck
Mörck returns once again for the next stamp in the New Year cycle. He began the series in 2014 with the Sheep. 

Release date: October 20, 2023

Christmas 2023 – Greetings from the Islands of Peace

2 stamps, FDC, cancel
offset

Both stamps include elements of Åland handicraft products incorporated in the art. 

• Peace Angel – note the necklace around the angel’s neck. It is a Blomman flower pendant, a piece designed by Åland jewellery-makers Guldviva and considered a symbol of the Islands since 1992.
• Peace Dove – this stamp includes handicrafts from the Island of Husö. The branch candle represents a product produced on the Island –  hand-dipped branch candles.
• On the FDC – a Blomman flower pendant is used as a star on the Christmas tree

Artist: Lasse Harkkala 
Finnish born artist Harkkala also designed Åland’s 2022 EUROPA stamps. He now makes Åland his home.
Åland Post Stamps visit Lasse Harkkala – Åland Stamps (alandstamps.com) 
Designer: Johanna Finne

Release date: October 20, 2023

December

Martti Ahtisaari 

1 stamp, sheets of 10
offset

This mourning stamp was issued on the death of President Martti Ahtisaari. The Nobel Peace Prize winner died October 16, 2023. 
President of the Republic of Finland from 1994 until 2000.

Designer: Timo Berry
Release date: December 15, 2023