Åland – cargo vessels

Ever since the Middle Ages Åland inhabitants have transported different things in their cargo vessels for trade and commerce. Things like firewood, living animals, meat and fish from Åland to Stockholm, Åbo (Turku), Helsinki and Tallinn. The four different types of boats shown on the stamps were among the many vessels used. Along with the First Day Cover I have also displayed the stamp booklet issued during this issue.

Rock and Pop 25.1.2010

These stamps were issued on 25^th January 2010. Let´s rock! Six well known and famous Finnish rock artists are shown on the miniature sheet on the cover. These artists have been stars for over a decade. The shape of the stamps gives a stereoscopic effect depicting the long career of the artists: Dingo, Eput, Yö; Maarit, Mamba and Popeda. Ella tells me that Dingo was one of the most popular Finnish rock bands ever, and caused a phenomenon called "Dingomania" all over Finland.

Sauna 6.5.2009

These stamps were issued on 6^th May 2009. Here is the official text: Sauna atmosphere! "When I chose the pictures for the Sauna booklet, I aimed for Finnishness and the authentic sauna atmosphere," says the designer of the booklet, Päivi Vainionpää.

The stamps on the miniature sheet on the FDC are separated from each other by a simple straight dashed line kind of perforation. The first stamp shows a moment before a sauna. The sun is going down, there's a fresh birch whisk in the bucket on the jetty, and soft towels await the bathers. The second stamp shows the bathers actually in the sauna, and the third stamp depicts an idyllic shoreline sauna in its natural setting. The fourth and fifth stamps shows the sauna atmosphere inside, and outside a sauna whisk bathes in the sunlight on a log wall. And inside the sauna the sunshine lights up the bathing place through a window. The Sauna stamps include microscopic scent capsules. When the stamps are rubbed, the capsules burst and spread a pleasing aroma of birch leaves. Also displayed is an enlarged photograph of the bather’s, and a card with the stamps. This fabulous set is due to the kind courtesy of Ella.

Finland - Finnish settlement in America 1638-1988 29.3.1988

This stamp on the first day cover is part of a Joint issue between Finland, Sweden and the USA. It was issued in 1988 commemorating the 350^th anniversary of the Finnish settlement in America 1638-1988. The Delaware Colony of Swedes and Finns has left a Heritage to America. Because the colony of New Sweden retained that name for only eighteen years many students of American history are but slightly familiar with the Finnish and Swedish settlements which grew up in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey several decades before the coming of William Penn. The ships Kalmar Nyckel and Fogel Grip shown on the stamp during negotiations with the native. Landings in the spring of 1638, brought the first Finnish and Swedish settlers. The present nation of Finland was then a part of Sweden, and the colony was named New Sweden. Wilmington, the first settlement, was called Fort Christina in honor of the Swedish Queen, daughter of Gustavus Adolphus who had planned the sending of colonists to America prior to his death on the battle field of Lutzen, in 1632. One branch of the stream which enters the Delaware River at that point still bears her name. Between 1870-1940 about 370,000 Finnish people moved to America.

From 1638 until 1656 the land along both shores of the Delaware was the colony's territory, and a succession of ships brought additional settlers, while several royal governors administered the affairs of the colony, Johann Printz being the most famous. He was a distinguished soldier, having led regiments of Finnish infantry in the Thirty Years' War. He built his capital "Printzdorf" on Tinicum Island, and many small settlements developed. One was on the present site of Philadelphia, another at the present Chester, Pa., was called Finland and Upland. In New Jersey is still found the town of Swedesboro. Newcastle, Delaware, was known as Fort Kasimir. A sizeable colony of Finns settled in present-day New Jersey around what is still known as Finns Point. The Swedes and Finns traded with the Indians, and sent furs, tobacco and other products back to Sweden, while developing farming, building churches and homes and making a small but successful colony in the New World. This cover was sent to me by Ella.

Ukraine – Czernowitz – 70 Years of Regional Autonomy

Czernowitz is a city on the Prut River in western Ukraine. It is the capital of the historic area of Bukovina and of the administrative region (oblast) of Chernivtsi. Chernivtsi is the administrative center of Chernivtsi Oblast (province) in southwestern Ukraine. The city is situated on the upper course of the River Prut, a tributary of the Danube, in the northern part of historic region of Bukovina, which is currently divided between Romania and Ukraine. At the time of the 2001 Ukrainian Census, the population of the city was 240,600.

Together with the city of Lviv, Chernivtsi is viewed at present to be a cultural centers of western Ukraine. The city is also considered one of modern Ukraine's greatest cultural and educational centers. Historically, as a cultural and architectural center, Chernivtsi was even dubbed Little Vienna, Jerusalem upon the Prut, or the European Alexandria. Chernivtsi is currently twinned with seven other cities around the world. The city is also a major point of railway and highway crossings in the region, and houses an international airport. My friend Stan sent me this card on the important occasion of the 70 Years of Regional Autonomy.

Bhutan – Textile’s

This miniature sheet commemorates textiles in Bhutan. Textile manufacture in Bhutan is more of an art than industry. Fabric and weaving are inseparable from Bhutan's rich cultural design. The colours, textures and weaves have evolved over many centuries. Weavers are mostly found in the far eastern part of the country. Traditional techniques are followed in both the processes of weaving and dying. 'Gho' for men and 'kira' for women are the national costume of the Bhutanese people. This nice MS was given to me by Jayant.

Aurora Borealis

These are two spectacular views of the Aurora Borealis as seen from Northern Finland above or near the Arctic Circle. These views were sent to me by Virpi. The Map shows the area of Finland above the Arctic Circle, including Lapland. This card is courtesy Ella.

Preserve the Polar Regions

This is one more essay on this very important subject . The peculiar aspect of these stamps on the miniature sheet is that they are also embossed and not just printed. This nice mini was sent to me by Sissel.

USA - Decade of Space Achievement 2.8.1971

It is 39 years since this First Day Cover was issued. Thanks to Hemant, I could place it here for your perusal. This 'Space Achievements' issue depicts the Earth, Sun, Lunar Module, the Lunar Rover and astronauts. Two 8-cent stamps commemorating a decade of space achievements were placed on sale August 2, 1971, at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and Houston, Texas. First day covers were postmarked at two different post offices (Houston, Texas and Huntsville, Alabama, location of the two tracking stations.) rather than the usual one because of extraordinary popularity of the space program at the time of issuance.

This issue was designed by Robert T. McCall of Paradise Valley, Arizona. Upon close examination of this issue one can see that it has an accurate depiction of the Lunar Rover, sitting on the Lunar surface. The Lunar landing module can also be seen in the background. This issue (pair) came in sheets of 50 (100 individual stamps), with an initial printing of 150 million.