This post on Sweden’s 2023 stamps is a rare back-to-back listing, I’m publishing both the 2022 and 2023 programs at the same time because the artists and designers are fresh in my mind, and I was eager to get both years posted. I spent a bit of time going over the 2021 year  looking for common themes and stories, and fell down a Swedish rabbit hole of folk tales, history and design. That’s the thing about stamps, if you let them, they’ll tell you amazing stories. 

I started researching Sweden because I wanted to flesh out some of the stamp stories a bit better. And, yes, I spent a couple of glorious weeks hopping from site to site, making notes and just enjoying the ride. Will I use all the information? Likely not, but it gave me a deeper appreciation of the culture and history of Sweden. 

So, now you are thinking, was there a “best of 2022” stamp? I surprised myself with my 2021 pick – Winter Activities, which, for a known cold-phobe was shocking. 2022 was harder to pin down. Sweden doesn’t issue a large program, it’s more like a carefully curated art show, which really made last year’s diverse styles difficult to pick from. But … ok … I think the best last year was Anna Handell’s beautiful Bluebells for Sweden’s National Flower set.

Everything from the typography to postmark was perfect on this pair of stamps. Typography was supplied by Henrik Karlsson, who has also designed a number of stamps for PostNord. Kudos to Sweden for bringing recognition to the delicate art of typography, something they regularly do in their descriptions. These two stamps were Sweden’s official EUROPA entry, but were also part of a 10 stamp set released at the same time.   

This booklet of 10 stamps was designed by Anneli Frisk, with Karlsson’s typography. It’s interesting to see two different artistic styles combined in series, a bit of an unusual occurrence. Using Frisk and Handell created two distinct sets under one umbrella. I especially love the different artwork for bluebells. 

This year will be another compact program, with an expected 9 sets. It starts off with a pink elephant and ends with another winter celebration.  Releases arrive in January, April, August, October and November every year. Hope you enjoy the stamps as much as I have enjoyed exploring them. If you’d like to receive notification when this page (or the site in general) is updated, sign up for my free newsletter. It comes out on Sunday nights, unless my friends tempt me away with food, wine and laughs. Then it comes out on Mondays. 

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January

Hello There! 
Topics: children’s shows | cartoons | animals

10 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
offset

This set of stamps celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Swedish children’s show “Fem myror är fler än fyra elefanter” (Five ants are more than four elephants). Created by Bengt Linné and Lasse Haglund, the show premiered November 19, 1973 and ran until 1975. It’s still a popular cartoon seemingly passed  “on from generation to generation”.  

Illustration: Owe Gustafson
Gustafson, artist, illustrator & cartoonist, created the original animated pink elephant in 1973. 

Release date: January 12, 2023

500 Years of Sweden
Topics: history | architecture
 

6 stamps, 2 souvenir sheets, FDC, cancel
offset

Although modern Sweden is celebrating it’s 500th birthday, the people of the region can trace their roots back to between 8,000 to 6,000 BCE.  The current state traces its origins to the reign of Gustav Vasa (1523–60).  History of Sweden – more than Vikings | Official site of Sweden has an interesting, and digestible start to learn more learning more about Sweden’s history.  

The motif on the FDC is based on a portrait of King Gustav Vasa (1490–1560) 

• Kalmar Castle – Startsida – Kalmar Slott
• Nordic Museum – National Nordic Museum | Go on a Nordic Journey Across 12,000 Years This is an excellent resource to learn more about Nordic countries, culture and issues. Bookmarkable. 
• Strykjärnet building – History of the House – Museum of Work (arbetetsmuseum.se)
• Själevad Church

 
Design: Eva Wilsson
Wilsson’s 2016 EUROPA Old Toys won silver in the annual competition. Her first stamp was the 2009 Two Countries, One Future – Sweden and Finland .

I started my career in 2000 in London, first with typographer and book designer Peter Wilberg and then at the design company Design by White where we did art direction for fashion photography. For three years I was at the Amsterdam agency Thonik, designing books, exhibitions and visual identities. Design Eva Wilsson » stamp

Wilsson relocated back to Sweden and now runs Design Eva Wilsson 
Illustration: Graham Samuels, based on photos 
Graham Samuels Illustration / Clients
Photographers: Kalmar Castle/Jörgen Tannerstedt, Nordic Museum/Alexander Assal,
Strykjärnet building/Peter Holgersson, Själevad Church/Robbin Norgren
 

Release date: January 12, 2023

Queen Silvia 2023
Topics: royal family

1 stamp, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
offset

This photo has been used on previous stamps, but with different colour grades.  

Photographer: Anna-Lena Ahlström
+ (annalenaahlstrom.se)

Designer: Daniel Bjugård 
Daniel Bjugård Design (bjugard.se)

Release date: January 12, 2023

April

EUROPA 2023 – Together for Peace
Topics: EUROPA

5 stamps, FDC, cancel, collector sheet
offset

First stamp in this set is the official EUROPA 2023 stamp.  This year the theme is a bit more complex than usual. The first stamp in the set was designed by Luxembourg based designers Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir. Their design will be used by all participating countries to stress solidarity with Ukraine.  The theme explores how delicate peace is and how it should be the highest value humanity should be working towards. This theme replaces the one originally planned for 2023, Underwater Fauna & Flora, which will be the 2024 theme. 

Cultural differences perchance a barrier for a state of Peace. If only mankind could respect each other’s differences by understanding their significance and responding to them with consideration, the world would be a better place.

 
Illustration of Europa stamp: Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir
Bos and Eglisdottir are part of A DESIGNERS COLLECTIVE in Luxemburg. Their design was picked to represent all Europa nations in this year’s theme.
Typography: Carina Länk
Design domestic stamps: Jesús Verona
Verona is a book illustrator based in Stockholm. He uses a combination of pen, pencil and computer techniques to create his artwork. Previous stamps include 2020 Active Leisure and 2014 Among Berries and Leaves.

Release date: April 27, 2023

Carl XVI Gustaf – 50 Years as Head of State
Topics: royal family

1 stamp, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel 
offset

Carl XVI Gustaf is Sweden’s longest-reigning monarch.

Design: Daniel Bjugård
Photos: Thron Ullberg
Jubilee emblem: Elis Nyström

Release date: April 27, 2023

August

From Hobby Horses to Gold Medals
Topics: animals | horses | sports 

5 stamps in booklets of 10, 6 stamps on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
offset

Photographers: Daniel Stiller and Emma Wallskog/Bildbyrån, Susanne Walström, Mikael Sjöberg, Ebba Häggström, Mattias Burling, Henrik Karlsson

Release date: August 24, 2023

The Fall Gardens – Harvest Joy Skördeglädje
Topics: flora | plants
 

10 stamps in booklet form, 1 stamp, FDC, coils 

Designer:  Henning Trollbäck
SHOP / Henning Trollbäck (trollback.se)

Release date: August 24, 2023

November

Christmas 2023 – Winter Blooms
Topics: Christmas | holidays

 
1 stamp, 10 stamps in booklet form, FDC, coils  
offset

Designer: Rebecca Elfast
Elfast originally trained as an architect. She now works as a freelance illustrator and pattern designer. She previously designed Åland’s Christmas 2021, 
Rebelform – Illustration and Pattern Design by Rebecca Elfast – Illustration

Release date: November 2, 2023

Winter
Topics: seasons 

 
5 stamps in booklets of 10, FDC, coils 
offset

Designer: Daniel Bjugård
Photographer: Johanna Hanno
“My subject matter is the personal. My fascination of the self derives from an ever growing and deeply rooted interest in the human being and their many faces, assets and ways of existing within society.” BIO — Johanna Hanno

Release date: November 2, 2023