Norway’s 2023 stamp program is kicking into gear (slowly) with two stamps celebrating the northern most regions of the country.  Magnus Rakeng once again begins the year with stunning designs, this time of Svalbard. A number of familiar names, including Enzo Fingers, have created this year’s stamps and covers, so we know to expect high quality and clean designs from start to finish for 2023. 

Images are slow to trickle in (as of publication date), so patience is needed. The first two stamps are set for release on February 21, but only 2 scans are available. Don’t forget to come back to see the detailed list of items that will include must see FDCs, gold FDCs, presentation packs, maxi cards and cancels. 

As regular readers are aware, I love a good postmark, and Norway offers uncluttered cancels that easy to overlook.  Although I love a highly detailed cancel, there’s something about the simplicity of Norway’s cancels that make them an attractive addition to any cancel hound’s collection. Here are a few samples from the previous 2 years. 

A number of reoccurring themes are back, including:

• Town anniversaries
• EUROPA
• Research, Innovation, Technology
• Christmas 
• pets

One new theme is intriguing #Norwaymemories2022. Not sure what that will be about, but we won’t have to wait long, it’s due in April. If you’d like to be notified when this page is updated sign up for my weekly newsletter. It goes out Sunday nights (or Monday morning, depending on where you are) and includes a list of all updated stamp programs, new article links and subscriber only content. It’s free! 

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February 

Svalbard

2 stamps, 2 FDCs (one gold FDC), cancel, 2 maxi cards, collector’s set, presentation pack
offset

Forlandet National Park and Svalbard reindeer
Svalbard is home to 47 National Park. If you are looking at a map, locate Norway and then go north, keep going until you hit the islands. That’s Svalbard. Don’t forget your long underwear.

Welcome to the High Arctic of Svalbard! – Visit Svalbard

Designer: Magnus Rakeng
Photo: Henrik Strømstad, Adobestock

Release date: February 21, 2023

Arendal and Risør 300th Anniversaries
Series: Town anniversaries

2 stamps, 2 FDCs (one gold FDC), cancel, 2 maxi cards, collector’s set, presentation pack
offset

Designer: Kristin Slotterøy

Release date: February 21, 2023

April 

#Norwaymemories2022

6 stamps (more images coming)
offset

• The Northern light in Lofoten
• Olden in Nordfjord
• Wharf buildings in Trondheim
• Hovdsundet, near Bodø
• A herd of goats near Skei, Sunnfjord
• Svolværgeita Mountain
•  

The images were picked from about 13,000 photos submitted for the Norway Memories contest.   Norway’s press release on this issue includes info on where the photos were taken Issue 21st April 2023 Norway Memories – Posten.no/en. 

Designer: Camilla Kvien Jensen
Photographers: ené Ringnes, Lisa Christensen, Carolina Llodra Millás, Rita Arhaug, Jan Finstad, Nathalie Monnier
FDC photographer: Soria Moria-traversen på Kvaløya, @pudderpiken / Hege Nilsen

Release date: April 21, 2023

May

EUROPA 2023: Peace 

1 stamp, FDC, gold cover, cancel (also available collector’s set, presentation leaflet, maxi card)
offset

Peace knot designer: Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir 
Designer: Jørn O. Jøntvedt

Release date: May 9, 2023

June

Jakob Weidemann (1923-2001) 100 Years 

1 stamp, souvenir sheet, FDC, gold cover, cancel (also available presentation pack and collector’s set) 
offset/steel print

Art: Game Bird Takes Off

Jakob Weidemann – Artvee 
Issue 14th June 2023 Jakob Weidemann Centenary – Posten.no/en

Designer: Enzo Finger
Photographer: © Jacob Weidemann/BONO, Rolf M. Aagaard / Aftenposten / NTB

Release date: June 14, 2023

Crown Prince Couple 50 Years

2 stamps, FDC, gold cover, cancel (also available 2 maxi cards, presentation pack and collector’s set) 
offset

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit

Illusrator: Trond Bredesen
Designer: Camilla Kvien Jensen

Release date: June 14, 2023

October

Research, Innovation, Technology  

2 stamps, FDC, gold FDC, cancel, also available presentation pack, 2 maxi cards & collector’s set 
offset

• Animal feed from spruce
• COVID-19 diagnostics

Designer: Enzo Finger

Release date: October 7, 2023

Ferries 

4 stamps, FDC, gold FDC, cancel, also available 4 maxi cards, presentation pack & collector’s set
offset

• MF “Ampere” –  world’s first all electric car ferry MF Ampere – Corvus Energy – runs on the Lavik and Oppeda route
• “Svelvik” – hybrid car ferry launched 2022 on the Svelvik and Verket
• MF “Værøy” – car ferry launched in 2012, the second to carry the name. Starting in 2013 began the  Bodø–Røst–Værøy–Moskenes route
• MS “Angvik” – Kristiansund Autonomous Ferry Project (maritimerobotics.com)

A special 28 page prestige booklet is also available.

Designer: Jørn O. Jøntvedt

Release date: October 7, 2023

November

Pets 
2nd in series

Designer: Cecilie Sørgård
Sørgård designed the 2008 Pets stamps featuring Norwegian Elkhound Puppy and Norwegian Forest Kitten 

Release date: November 7, 2023

Christmas Stamps

Designer: Ragnar Aalbu

Release date: November 7, 2023