Finlandia 88 – Agosthon Faberge 2.5.1988

This Finnish booklet on the cover commemorating Finlandia 88 has a stamp of the collector Agathon Faberge. Yes, he was a member of the same Faberge family that created the fabulous Winter Eggs for the Russian czar. I had written about the “Winter Eggs” in my post in this very blog dated May 01, 2011 . Agathon Faberge was one of the first “grand collectors” of Finnish stamps.

Agathon Faberge (1876-1951) was a famed philatelist, & stamp collector; rarities from his collection are shown on either side of the stamp as well as on the cover.This booklet served as an entrance ticket to the Finlandia88 exhibition (but of course it was also available to those who pre-ordered it from postal services or bought a full year set). Thus the booklets face value is 30 (Markka), but the stamp inside does have a postal value of only 5 (Markka).

I have no idea how many of these exist in “real used” condition, but I fear it’s not a great number. Most of the time this item can be found unused/mint or on official first day covers. Thank you Pia for this wonderful cover.

50th Anniversary of the Cyprus Football Association 15.10.1984

The C.F.A. or The Cyprus Football Association as it is commonly known, was established in 1934 by the clubs Anorthosis, E.P.A., A.E.L., Aris, A.P.O.E.L., Olympiakos, Turkish Club and TRAST, and its aim was to promote sport ideals and particularly football. The C.F.A. organizes all the national football championships - for all divisions - in Cyprus and closely cooperates with the various international Associations F.I.F.A. (since 1948) and U.E.F.A. (since 1982). In 1984, forty-two clubs are members of the C.F.A. This cover and the stamp on it commemorates the 50^th Year of the CFA. Merja gave me this FDC.

700th birthday of St. Bridget 6.6.2003

St. Brigit of Sweden (1303-1373) was born 700 years ago. Therefore a Euro 0.65 stamp, depicting a wooden sculpture of St. Brigit of Sweden, was issued on 6.6.2003 to honor the founder of the Brigittine Order. The sculpture is a detail from the altar screen in the Naantali Convent Church. The altar screen, Heavenly Coronation of the Virgin Mary, is from the 15th century. Pia gave me this FDC.

Bridget of Sweden or Birgitta Birgersdotter (1303 – 23 July 1373; also Birgitta of Vadstena, Saint Birgitta, Saint Bridget (or Brigid) of Sweden, or in Swedish den heliga Birgitta [literally the Holy Birgitta]) was a mystic and saint, and founder of the Bridgettine Order after the death of her husband of twenty years. She was also the mother of a saint —Saint Catherine of Vadstena. She is one of the six patron saints of Europe, together with Saint Benedict of Nursia, Saints Cyril and Methodius, Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Teresia Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein).

Austrian Mail Coach

The Austrian minisheet portrays a mail coach. It was issued on 12 September 2008.

A landauer coach with folding roof from the property of the Schwarzenbergs and later Wallensteins (built in the first third of the 19th century by London-based firms Barker&Co. and Thrupp) and a Berlingot coupé used by Austrian Emperor Ferdinand I during his long-time stay at Prague following his abdication in 1848 are the highlights of the sub-collection. An 1860 coach from Žamberk built to carry both passengers and mail or a classic mail coach built in Milano some ten years later belong to the typical postal vehicles. Some of the preserved parcel cars were used by the Austrian Post as early as around 1900; the next-generation cars were produced in Czechoslovakia in the 1930s.

The sub-collection also includes a separate set of several types of sleighs. The large horse-drawn postal sleigh, originally also from Žamberk, was built to carry both mail and passengers; the hand sled, used by the Bakov nad Jizerou post office to carry mail, was built in the 1930s and represents the most common type of sleighs, particularly in mountainous regions. The seahorse-shaped sled, cut from a single piece of wood, represents the type of leisure sleighs. Further materials held in this sub-collection include horse gear (e.g. an 18th-century ceremonial breast plate and harness for a team of four horses) and smaller things, such as coach lanterns, traveller luggage and models of horse-drawn cars and postal buses. My friend Anita from Austria sent this minisheet.

Aland 1.8.1998 - Sea Scouting 1.8.1998

On 1 August, 1998 the Åland Post issued a stamp with a Sea Scouting design. The stamp focuses on Satahanka IX, an international sea scout camp held in Åland that August. The stamp, the first day cover and the special postmark were all designed by the Ålandian artist Allan Palmer.

The stamp depicts objects associated with Sea Scouting such as various knots and a compass. The number of active Scouts in Finland is a little more than 88,000. Co-operation, respect and mutual understanding across the borders have always been keywords to the Scouts. The Finnish Boy Scouts and Girl Guides joined forces in the early seventies and have had mutual activities ever since. The name of the main Scout association in Finland is Finlands Scouter r.f. The Guides and Scouts of Finland.

Outdoor activities such as camping, excursions and hikes are important elements of Scouting. Sea Scouts devote most of their time to activities related to the sea such as sailing, navigation and sea rescue. During the days 1-8 August 1998, a large Sea Scout camp was arranged in the historical environment of the ruins of the Bomarsund fortress in Åland. The Satahanka IX is the ninth international Sea Scout camp arranged by the Guides and Scouts of Finland, and it is also the largest Scouts event of the year. The first Satahanka camp was organized in Pargas as early as 1955. A total of 1,500 Scouts, of which approximately 300 from abroad, were expected to participate in this event. Some of the activities on the programme were sailing, archaeology and adventures on foot and bicycle and at sea. The participants also learned more about the seafaring traditions and the history of the province of Åland. Thank you Pia for this FDC.

Maritime Åland

The stamp on the FDC is one of the first lot of postage stamps issued by Åland after she started printing her own stamps in 1984. The only special aspect of Åland stamps in the province's first year of stamps is an accent on Maritime affairs. The image on this stamp depicts the western harbour in Mariehamn. We can also see the museum ship Pommern and modern car ferries. Åland's fleet comprises some 60 vessels, with a tonnage well over a million tones. Of Åland's gross regional product shipping accounts for about 40% and ships provide about 3,000 jobs. Pia gave me this nice FDC.

Season's Greetings 6.12.2011

From Santa Claus himself :- Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

4th Congress of All-China Philatelic Federation

This mini sheet was issued to commemorte The 4th Congress of All-China Philatelic Federation (ACPF) which was held in Beijing on Nov.17, 1994. Set up on Jan. 30, 1982, the ACPF was admitted as a full member by the International Philatelic Federation and the Inter-Asia Philatelic Federation respectively in 1983.

The Fighting Capercaillies- Ferdinand von Wright 3.3.2003

The Euro 0.90 self-adhesive stamp depicts the famous painting, Taistelevat metsot 1886 or The Fighting Capercailles, by Ferdinand von Wright (1822-1906) and was issued on 3.3.2003 along with the cover. This work, greatly admired by the Finns, is in the collections of the Ateneum Art Museum.

Ferdinand von Wright (March 19, 1822 — July 31, 1906) was a Finnish painter. He is known especially for his paintings of birds and landscapes, but was also a portrait painter.

Von Wright's parents, Henrik Magnus von Wright and Maria Elisabet Tuderus, owned the Haminalahti manor in Kuopio. His brothers Magnus and Wilhelm were also painters.

In 1838, Ferdinand traveled to Sweden to assist his brother Wilhelm in his illustration work, and worked as his brother's substitute as an illustrator at the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts. During 1842 he studied for some time at the academy, and then returned to Finland in 1844. He lived a secluded but productive life in a cottage he built near his family's home. In 1885, he was granted an artist's pension by the government. Despite suffering paralysis beginning in 1884, Ferdinand continued to produce artistic works until his death. It was during this time that he produced his work The Fighting Capercaillies, one of Finland's most famous paintings. Thank you Pia for this lovely FDC.

EUROPA CEPT 1988 – Finland - Transport and Communications

The Europa CEPT theme for postage stamps in Europe in 1988 was ”Transport and Communications”. Finland issued these two stamps and the cover to portray this theme on 23.5.1988. This FDC was given to me by Merja.

The stamp on the left depicts Electronic Communications. In telecommunication, communications-electronics (C-E) is the specialized field concerned with the use of electronic devices and systems for the acquisition or acceptance, processing, storage, display, analysis, protection, disposition, and transfer of information.
C-E includes the wide range of responsibilities and actions relating to:

• Electronic devices and systems used in the transfer of ideas and perceptions;
• Electronic sensors and sensory systems used in the acquisition of information devoid of semantic influence;

Electronic devices and systems intended to allow friendly forces to operate in hostile environments and to deny to hostile forces the effective use of electromagnetic resources.

The stamp on the right shows a horse drawn tram which was prevalent in Finland in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Horse Drawn Tram. Trams in Finland go back to a horse-drawn Turku tramway network, which opened in 1890. Electric tramway traction started in Finland in 1900, and the horse-drawn trams last operated in 1917.

• Although there were three Finnish tramway networks between 1912 and World War II, the number of networks had dwindled to just one, in Helsinki, by 1972. Since then, the Helsinki network has remained Finland's only tramway network. However, there have been, and still are, a number of proposals to set up new networks, in the form of light rail, elsewhere in the country.

Åland Islands - autonomous isles between Sweden and Finland

First-time visitors to the Åland Islands, an archipelago of some 6,500 islands and islets between Sweden and Finland at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia, can be excused if they feel confused. Though the islands belong to Finland, hardly any of the inhabitants speak Finnish. Swedish is Åland's sole official language, and that is what you see on street signs and restaurant menus. But the currency is the euro, as in Finland. The reason for the muddle is the islands' chequered history. Once part of the kingdom of Sweden, Åland was ceded to imperial Russia in 1809 together with Finland. It has remained part of Finland since Finnish independence in 1917. Today the islands are autonomous, which is partly responsible for their economic prosperity. When Finland joined the European Union in 1995, Alanders' rights were set forth in a separate protocol. They are allowed to make their own tax laws, and to make tax-free sales to their numerous visitors. This FDC given to me by Pia illustrates the important facets of Åland on the three pretty stamps.

Åland flag. According to the 1951-revised Act on the Autonomy, an own flag for Åland was established in 7.4.1954. Its form relates itself to the Nordic cross flag tradition. The colors are a combination of Åland and Finnish weapon colors as well as the Swedish flag's blue and yellow.

Åland map. To describe the status of a new "country of stamps" with the help of a map is a good idea. Within the frame of the stamps left corner we see the European northwest corner, with Åland dotted in the meridians. When the same data exists on the island map, again with localisation coordinates, the location of Åland is clearly explained.

Seal of Åland. Norway's King St. Olaf (d. 1030) is mentioned as one of those who converted the natives to Christianity. He was declared patron saint of Åland and his image was captured in the province's old seal. The oldest imprint is from the year 1326. The seal contains the text "S. TERE. ALANDIE. ET. SCI. OLAVI. REGIS", or the Provincial Government and the St. Olav's seal.

Dogs from Belarus

Man’s most loyal and trustworthy friend. And hence Belarus very thoughtfully issued this series of stamps on dogs, depicted on this miniature sheet on 14 October 2003. It portrays the German Shepherd, the German Mastiff, and the Golden Retriever.

2003 Men's Ice Hockey Championships 3.3.2003

This FDC was issued on 3.3.2003 to commemorate The 2003 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held between April 26 and May 11, 2003 in Helsinki, Tampere and Turku, Finland. It was the 67th annual event, and was run by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). The Lion was the mascot chosen for these games, and features on the pretty 0.65 Euro stamp on the FDC. Sixteen countries participated in the Championships. 

Pia gave me this fine FDC.

MS Isabella 8.5.1998

The Stamp on the FDC was issued on 8th May 1998 for “Norden 98” exhibition, commemotating the ferry “Isabel”. MS Isabella is a cruise ferry owned and operated by the Finland-based Viking Line. She was built in 1989 by Brodogradilište Split in Split,Yugoslavia for SF Line, one of the partners in the Viking Line consortium. Since September 2008 she serves on the Turku–Mariehamn/Långnäs–Stockholm route. In January 2010 Viking Line's future CEO Mikael Backman stated the company are negotiating with several different shipyards about the possibility of constructing a pair of 60,000 GT ships to replace Isabella and Amorella on the Turku–Stockholm service. The projected delivery dates for the new vessels are in May 2012 and February 2013. Isabella's future in the Viking Line fleet is unknown, should the planned orders for new ships be realised. Pia gave me this FDC.

Fine Arts (Painting) - The Treasure of the National Art Museum

These three striking paintings from National Arts Museum of the Republic of Belarus featured in a mini sheet issued by that country on November 28^th, 2007.
The paintings (from left to right) are: -
1. Kshishtov Veselovskiy (1636), by an unknown painter.
2. Grizeli Sapega(1632), by an unknown painter, and of
3. Alexandra Marianna Veselovskaya (1640), also by an unknown painter.
The National Arts Museum is the biggest museum in the Republic of Belarus. The collection was started in the first decades of the 20th century. During World War II the Nazi plundered the museum. The fate of the collection remains one of the greatest mysteries of the twentieth century. During the post-war period, due to the enthusiasm and dedicated work of the museum's workers, it was reconstructed. In 1957, the Art Gallery was renamed and moved to the new building. In 1999, the museum received its national status. Nowadays there are more than 25,600 exhibits.

Railway's of Ireland

Tall Ship Pommern

The Aland Postal Service issued a new stamp with postage value of 0,55 Euro named "Pommern” which Celebrated 100 Years" on the 6th of June 2003. The stamp depicts a ship named "Pommern" which was built in 1903 in Glasgow by a German shipping company. Originally the ship was named "Mneme" after the Goddess of Memory Mnemosyne, until it changed ownership in 1906 when it was renamed Pommern. At that time the ship used to sail between Europe and South America. In 1923, Gustaf Erikson from Aland the world's last big sailing ship owner, bought the ship. As with most of his fleet, Pommern sailed in the grain races and carried grain from Australia to Britain. In 1939 Pommern sailed to her homeport Mariehamn and remained there until she finally was donated to the Town of Mariehamn as a museum ship. Pommern is one of four original masted steel barque in the world today. A trip to Australia took almost a year to manage and life was hard. The space on ship you had to share with pigs, sheeps. dogs, cats and rats.....Food and water where strictly rationed, meat stored in salt somethimes even for several years, where called "Old ropes", (strings from hawsers, in old days produced from hemp). And when the rain come, after a long heated trip in the Tropics, the sailors where happy, at least they could have a bath.

The picture on the stamp was taken from a painting by an Australian painter named Arthur Victor Gregory. This painting was done in 1931 and shows the Pommern with full sails caught in a storm. The artwork may be admired at the Aland Maritime Museum. Pia gave me this nice FDC.

600 Years of the Kalmar Union 30.5.1997

This Åland picture postcard and the stamp on it were issued on 30.5.1997. Five heads of state - the Danish Queen with Prince Henrik, the Swedish and Norwegian royal couples and the Finnish and Icelandic presidents with their wives, joined 20 000 Swedes and 200 journalists to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the Kalmar Union. At one time Kalmar, in the south of Sweden, was the capital of the largest state in Europe. This state was composed of Denmark, Norway and Iceland and Sweden and Finland. And it was all thanks to a strong woman called Margrethe. She became regent of Norway, Sweden and Denmark through extraordinary manipulation amid most unusual circumstances. She came to be widely respected, often admired, but not much loved. Although she was a woman of royal parentage, she was never to rule from a throne simply because she was a woman. And it was ironically only when the present Queen of Denmark, Margrethe decided to be known as Margrethe II that the first Margrethe of the 14th century was elevated to royal status posthumously.
Margrethe embarked on her remarkable, nearly incredible, rise to power at the tender age of six. A treaty between her father King Valdemar Atterdag of Denmark and Magnus Erikson, the King of Sweden, pledged her to Magnus’s 18-year-old son Haakon who had inherited the throne of Norway through his mother, the granddaughter of Haakon V. Margrethe and Haakon did not live together as man and wife until she reached the age of 16. In 1371 Margrethe gave birth to her only son, Oluf. King Valdemar died in 1375 the following year leaving Margrethe as his only surviving child. She was successful in having her son Oluf proclaimed King of Denmark with herself as regent. Five years later, when Haakon died, Oluf was recognized as both king of Norway and of Denmark while Margrethe became regent of Norway also. Soon thereafter, Margrethe was called in by the Swedish nobility to help it topple the hated King Albrekt of Mecklenburg. She was able to establish Oluf as the legitimate claimant to the Swedish throne. Now Margrethe became regent to all three countries.
The sudden death of the 17-year-old Oluf in 1387 undid the stability Margrethe had managed to achieve. But she acted quickly to secure her position as royal guardian. She also quickly adopted the six-year-old son of her niece who was married to the Duke of Pomerania and chose him, Erik, as her successor. After being declared the regent of the Danish and Norwegian kingdoms, she formed common cause with the Swedish nobles and having had the distinct advantage of having consistently demonstrated outstand-ing qualities of royal administration and integrity, she did not have too much problem in being hailed as the rightful ruler of Sweden. Now she commanded all of northern Europe. Margrethe went on to propose a coronation ceremony for Erik. She called a special meeting of the powerful nobles, the clergy and magnates of Sweden and got their consent. In June of 1397, the Archbishops of Lund and Uppsala crowned Erik King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden in the town of Kalmar. Why Kalmar? It is important to remember that the borders looked somewhat different from what they do today and the Swedish provinces of Skåne, Blekinge and Halland belonged to Denmark. Kalmar was actually very close to Denmark being on the southern coast of Sweden.
After Erik’s crowning ceremony, Margrethe proceeded to negotiate a "union document". The document declared that Erik, having been elected King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden had further been elected King of the one consolidated combined Kingdom of Norway-Sweden-Denmark. And it is the 600th anniversary of this Union that was celebrated in 1997. This was a truly Nordic union as Iceland and Finland were also included. Pia gave me this FDC commemorating this important event.

60th Anniversary of Inner Mongolia

This miniature sheet of two stamps was issued bu China to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the creation of the Autonomous Region of Inner Mongolia on 1.5.2007. The stamp on the left depicts people celebrating the event by indulging in sporting activities like horse racing, wrestling and archery. The second stamp shows a group of dancers in traditional costumes. Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China, located in the northern region of the country. Inner Mongolia shares an international border with the countries of Mongolia and the Russian Federation. Its capital is Hohhot and the largest city is Baotou.
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was established in 1947 on the area of former Republic of China provinces of Suiyuan, Chahar, Rehe, Liaopeh and Hsingan. It is the third-largest subdivision of China spanning about 1,200,000 km² (463,000 sq mi) or 12% of China's total land area. It has a population of about 24 million as of 2004. The majority of the population in the region are Han Chinese, with a substantial Mongol minority. The official languages are Chinese and Mongolian, the latter written in the Mongolian script, as opposed to the Mongolian Cyrillic alphabet used in the state of Mongolia.
Inner Mongolia, China's northern border autonomous region, features a long, narrow strip of land sloping from northeast to southwest. It stretches 2,400 km from west to east and 1,700 km from north to south. The third largest among China's provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, the region covers an area of 1.18 million sq km, or 12.3% of the country's territory. It neighbors eight provinces and regions in its south, east and west and Mongolia and Russia in the north, with a borderline of 4,200 km

EUROPA - Relics of the Past 3.5.1983

This FDC given to me by Merja has two stamps on it. These Europa stamps were issued by Cyprus on 3.5.1983. One on the left shows a copper ingot, a bronze jug from the Roman period of 2nd century BC and a Copper engraving. The stamp on the right has a Cypro-Syllabic inscription. The Cypro-Syllabic script is, as the name itself indicates, a writing system of a syllabic character found in Cyprus from between the mid 11^th c. BC (the Opheltes obelos, ICS² 18g) to the end of the 2^nd c. BC It is composed of 56 signs at most, with more or less important local variations in the form of the signs, in the chronology and in the repertory. Almost all the signs, with the exception of ye (present only in the new Paphian syllabary) are found in the most widespread version of the syllabary, known as the “common syllabary”.

Texts written in the common syllabary are usually right to left, and their distribution area is quite large: they can be found in nearly the entire island, with the exception of the south-western region, the Paphos region, characterized by its own peculiar repertory known as the “Paphian syllabary”. This latter, unlike the common syllabary, is usually used in left-to-right texts, and it has its own chronology: the “old Paphian syllabary”, used essentially in texts dating from the 6^th c. BC, and the “new Paphian syllabary”, with documents dating above all from the 4^th c. BC.

Writing in the Late Bronze Age Writing first appeared in Cyprus around 1500 BC at a time when the island's trading activities brought increased bureaucratic demands. The earliest script was syllabic (each symbol denoting a vowel or a combination of consonant and vowel) and presented obvious similarities to Minoan Linear A. It was probably introduced from Crete and adapted to the needs of the ancient Cypriot language. The script is called Cypro-Minoan but has not been deciphered yet (as is also the case with Linear A). Cypro-Minoan texts have been found on clay tablets at Enkomi in Cyprus and Ugarit in Syria, suggesting that they were used both for administration and commercial transactions. Otherwise, Cypro-Minoan symbols have been occasionally found on clay cylinders (also of administrative use), bronze and ivory objects as well as on clay balls.

Luonnotar - Kalevala Art 26.3.2004

The Kalevala begins with a poem describing the birth of the world, based on an ancient international myth. Luonnotar was the Spirit of Nature, Mother of the Seas, who existed before creation, floating alone in the universe before the worlds were made "in a solitude of ether". Descending to earth she swam in its primordial ocean for 700 years. Then a storm blows up and in torment, she calls to the god Ukko for help. Out of the Void, a duck flies, looking for a place to nest. Luonnotar takes pity and raises her knee above the waters so the duck can nest and lay her eggs. But when the eggs hatch they emit great heat and Luonnotar flinches. The eggs are flown upwards and shatter, but the fragments become the skies, the yolk sunlight, the egg white the moon, the mottled bits the stars. This was the creation myth of the Karelians who represented the ancient soul of the Finnish cultural identity. After taking part in the creation of the world, she gives birth to the aged Väinämöinen. The Great Kalevala Featured on Gallen-Kallela March Miniature Sheet The Nordic post offices issued a new miniature stamp sheet with a Nordic mythology motif in 2004. The sheet is part of the Nordic joint stamp series entitled “The North”. The second and third part of the series were issued in 2006 and 2008. The first part was issued in all the Nordic countries simultaneously on March 26, 2004, as each postal administration issued a miniature sheet featuring mythical creatures. The Finnish miniature sheet featured a sketch by Akseli Gallen-Kallela entitled Luonnotar (1925, 66 x 44.5, watercolor). The sheet consists of two €0.65 stamps. Luonnotar was one of Gallen-Kallela’s illustrations for the Great Kalevala, a project that he began in 1925. It was never completed, however, as the artist suddenly died in 1931. Luonnotar is currently part of the permanent collection at the Gallen-Kallela museum. Pekka Piippo, who also designed the First Day Cover and Cancellation to go with the miniature sheet, designed the stamp. The First Day Cancellation features a part of Gallen-Kallela’s illustration with the same motif for the Jewel Kalevala (1920-1922). All eight miniature sheets published in the Nordic countries were to be issued together as a Nordic pack. The pack was issued along with the miniature sheet and priced at 16 euros on 26.3.2004. Thank you Pia for this fabulous FDC.

Panda’s on Stamps

The stamps on these three minisheets featuring the exotic Panda, were all issued during Philatelic Exhibitions by the countries. The one at top left was issued by DPR Korea during Phila Nippon’91 (Japan WORLD stamp exhibition in Tokyo from 16 to 24 November 1991); the one at top right was released by Cuba during the Philatelic Mundial China’99; and the one below was issued by Nicaragua commemorating Phila Tokyo’81. Now, what is a Panda?

The giant panda, or panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca, literally meaning "black and white cat-foot") is a bear native to central-western and south western China. It is easily recognized by its large, distinctive black patches around the eyes, over the ears, and across its round body. Though it belongs to the order Carnivora, the panda's diet is 99% bamboo Pandas in the wild will occasionally eat other grasses, wild tubers, or even meat in the form of birds, rodents or carrion. In captivity they may receive honey, eggs, fish, yams, shrub leaves, oranges, or bananas along with specially prepared feed.

The giant panda lives in a few mountain ranges in central China, mainly in Sichuan province, but also in the Shansi and Gansi provinces^] Due to farming, deforestation and other development, the panda has been driven out of the lowland areas where it once lived.

The panda is a conservation reliant endangered species. A 2007 report shows 239 pandas living in captivity inside China and another 27 outside the country Wild population estimates vary; one estimate shows that there are about 1,590 individuals living in the wild, while a 2006 study via DNA analysis estimated that this figure could be as high as 2,000 to 3,000. Some reports also show that the number of pandas in the wild is on the rise. However, the IUCN does not believe there is enough certainty yet to reclassify the species from Endangered to Vulnerable.

While the dragon has historically served as China's national emblem, in recent decades the panda has also served as an emblem for the country. Its image appears on a large number of modern Chinese commemorative silver, gold, and platinum coins. Though the panda is often assumed to be docile, it has been known to attack humans, presumably out of irritation rather than predation.

Sailing ships

Åland's geographical position created early opportunities for trade and shipping. Bond sailing developed, but it was only after the middle of last century that sea trade here got a major boost. Large sailing vessels were built in Åland shipyards. Although after World War I steamboats took over more and more freight, large Åland shipping companies did not abandon sailing ships. Gustav Eriksson (1872-1947) who lived in Mariehamn, was in the 1930s the owner of the world's largest private sailing vessel fleet. The sailing vessels pictured on the stamps on this FDC issued on 4.6.1988 are generally from that generation

GALEASSE ALBANUS (1,80 mk) about 100 net tonnage, was built in 1904 in Äppelö in Hammarland under the direction of ship builder Johan August Henriksson. After about ten years Albanus was sold to the kingdom. - In 1988 a new Albanus was built in the traditional way, she serves as PR- and camp training ship on the island.

SCHOONER INGRID (2,40 mk) 450 net tonnage, was built in Geta, Olofsnäs 1906-07 under the leadership of Eric Söderström. She is a typical representative of the ships that were used in the Baltic and North Sea Traffic. The vessel was sold in 1919 to England, where she was used as a motor sailor in coastal shipping until the 1930s.

BARKER PAMIR (11,00 mk) 4500 net tonnage, was built in the steel hull in Hamburg. Gustav Eriksson bought her in 1931 and she was inserted in the wheat trade between Australia and England. Pamir was sold back to Germany in 1951 and served as a training ship until 1957 when she sank in the Atlantic. Thank you Pia for this nice FDC.

Finnish Manor Houses 14.6.1982

A manor house (often fortified) is a country house that historically formed the administrative centre of a manor, the lowest unit of territorial organisation in the feudal system in Europe. The term is applied to country houses that belonged to the gentry and other grand stately homes. There were manor houses in most European countries, where they were sometimes referred to as castles, palaces, and so on. Ella sent me this FDC which features 10 of Finlands well known manor houses on their own respective stamps in this sheetlet on the cover issued on 14.6.1982. They are as follows:-

1/10 Kuitia Manor, in Parainen Lemlahti Island 1490 – is the oldest stone manor, built about 1480.

2/10 Louhisaari Manor, in Askainen (near Turku)1655

3/10 Frugård (Frugard) Manor, in Mäntsälä (Mantsala), Joroinen 1780, south Finland

4/10 Jokioinen 1798, in Jokioinen, south Finland

5/10 Moisio Manor, in Elimäki (Elimaki), south Finland 1820

6/10 Sjundby Manor, in Siuntio 1560 - Sjundby Manor in Siuntio, the history of the manor is known since 1417 The most well-known owner was Sigrid Vaasa, daughter of King of Sweden, Erik IV and Kaarina Maunu's daughter.

7/10 Fagervik Manor, in Inkoo (near Helsinki)1773

8/10 Mustio, Karjaa, south coast of Finland 1792. Mustio Manor, Svartå Manor. Svartå Manor is one of the most precious manor houses in Finland with a history of more than two hundred years. The Manor is situated about 80km west of Helsinki along the Finnish coast. Today it is a museum and has opened its doors to the public with guided tours.

9/10 Fiskars Manor, in Pohja, south Finland 1818

10/10 Kotkaniemi Manor, in Vihti, near Helsinki 1836.

The most well-known might well be Louhisaari Manor, the home of C.G.E. Mannerheim. After belonging to the Fleming family since the 15th century, Louhisaari was in 1795 bought by the Mannerheim family, which owned it until 1903. The Marshal of Finland C.G.E. Mannerheim was born at Louhisaari in 1867. The main building dates from 1655 and is one of the rare examples of palatial architecture in Finland. The festive floor and the service floor are in 17th-century style and furnished to match. The middle floor, where the actual living quarters were, was modernised during the 18th and 19th centuries, and the rooms in this part of the castle reflect the interior-decoration styles of that time. The castle is surrounded by an English landscape park. The main building of Louhisaari Manor was opened to public on 1^st June 1967. Louhisaari Manor is located on the southwest coast of Finland 30 km North of Turku.

150th Birth Anniversary of Albert Edelfelt 28.4.2004

I have made a mention of Albert Gustaf Aristides Edelfelt (21 July 1854 – 18 August 1905) a Swedish-speaking Finnish painter, quite a few times in my blogs. This stamp and cover was issued on 28.4.2004 to commemorate Edelfelt’s 150^th Birth Anniversary.

Albert Edelfelt was born in Porvoo, Finland. His father Carl Albert was an architect. Edelfelt admired the poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg, who was a friend of the family. The company of Runeberg had a lasting impact on Edelfelt, who from time to time turned to scenes from Finnish history in his paintings. Edelfelt went on to illustrate Runeberg's epic poem The Tales of Ensign Stål. He studied art in Antwerp (1873–1874), Paris (1874–1878) and Saint Petersburg (1881–1882). He married Baroness (friherinnan) Ellan de la Chapelle in 1888 and they had one child.

Edelfelt was one of the first Finnish artists to achieve international fame. He enjoyed considerable success in Paris and was one of the founders of the Realist art movement in Finland. He influenced several younger Finnish painters and helped fellow Finnish artists such as Akseli Gallen-Kallela (refer to my post dated 21.11.2011) to make their breakthrough in Paris.

Albert Edelfelt, the first Finnish artist to rise to international fame was born on 21.7.1854, precisely 150 years ago. In honour of the jubilee year, The Ateneum Art Museum is putting up the most extensive exhibition on Edelfelt’s art ever seen, bringing together all his most significant works. Edelfelt is known first and foremost as the pioneer and forerunner of Finnish art. He cleared the path for other young Finnish artists by establishing international connections and exporting Finnish art abroad. Just as his masters wished, Edelfelt captured dramatic scenes from Finnish history on his canvas and was also a highly talented portrayer of his own time. His portraits captured the beauty of several society ladies as well as many of the most notable people of the time, such as Louis Pasteur and Nikolai II. Edefelt’s skills both as an artist and a negotiator provided him with substantial power and he was even able to negotiate a separate unit for Finland in the Paris World Fair in 1900, despite all the resistance from Russia. All in all Edelfelt became well acquainted with Paris during his post-graduate years and his breakthrough in that Mecca of Art cleared the path for other young Finnish artists as well. Pia gave me this FDC.

Year of the Monkey 1.1.1992

This delightful minisheet featuring three different types of monkeys was issued by DPR Korea on 1.1.1992 to celebrate the Year of the Monkey. The three species of monkey’s deoicted on the three stamps are :-

1. 1. Common Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri sciureus). The common squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) is a small New World primate from the Cebidae (squirrel monkey) family, and native to the tropical areas of South America.

2. 2. The pygmy marmoset or dwarf monkey is a New World monkey native to the rainforest canopies of western Brazil, southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, and northern Bolivia. It is one of the smallest primates, and the smallest true monkey, with its body length ranging from 14 to 16 centimetres (5.5 to 6.3 in) (excluding the 15-to-20-centimetre (5.9 to 7.9 in) tail). Males weigh around 140 grams (4.9 oz), and females only 120 grams (4.2 oz).

3. 3. The red-handed tamarin (Saguinus midas), also known as the golden-handed tamarin or Midas tamarin, is a New World monkey named for the contrasting reddish-orange hair on their feet and hands. It is native to wooded areas north of the Amazon River in Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, and possibly Venezuela. The population south of the Amazon River lacks the contrasting feet and hands, and is now commonly treated as a separate species, the Black Tamarin.

What does the Year of the Monkey mean to the people born in those years?The Monkey is the most versatile sign of the Chinese zodiac. Such people are often inventors, plotters, entertainers and the creative geniuses behind anything ingenious, including mischief. They have natural quick-wittedness which enables them to understand what is happening and then make a right decision. Even during a conversation person born in this year is aware of what is going on around him/her, and then make a mental note of who said what and store it away for future reference. In general, with their agile minds and multiple talents, monkey type of people can master any subject. They are reliable and host people so that any secret is safe in their hands. These people are also honest in their dealings. Monkey people are very good at problem-solving. Wherever you are, whoever you may be, if you've got a problem pick up the phone and dial-a-Monkey. Monkeys know how to listen closely and work out solutions at the same time.

In spit the fact that these people are trustworthy and unlikely to hurt someone out of spite, they would never let people escape if they have behaved badly or damaged monkey's reputation. Their stamina and determination to achieve their main goals can make these people appear vain or manipulative. It means that monkey type of people should be careful so not to damage their friendships. It is important to remember for this type of people that it would be wiser sometimes not to pursue their goals and simply let things pass.

Monkeys have flexible principles and serene self-confidence so they are completely content; but they usually manage to complicate the lives of others. After yet another plan or project has gone wrong, they are seldom there to help clean up the disorder and confusion that they leave in their wake. Monkeys can handle that too; with their charm and persuasiveness they can make people believe that just knowing them is a privilege!

Chocolates & Sweets 17.9.1991

Fazer is one of the largest corporations in the Finnish foodindustry. The company was originally founded by Karl Fazer in 1891, as a "French-Russian conditory" in central Helsinki. Today, it employs over ten thousand people in Finland as well as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Baltic countries, the United Kingdomand Russia. Fazer's production is divided into four major areas:

§ Fazer Amica, a chain of work-place restaurants

§ Fazer bakeries, producing various kinds of bread

§ Candyking, shop-inshop pick 'n' mix confectionery concept

§ Fazer Café, a chain of cafes. The main Fazer café is on Kluuvikatu in Helsinki. There is a counter where one can order things and then sit down in the front. There is also a back area where one can be served by a waiter. The areas are separated by an entrance area that sometimes has some kind of exhibit, as well as another counter, just for buying chocolates. They are known for their chocolate flavored tea.

Pantteri is a popular brand ofsalmiakki candies by Fazer (now byCloetta Fazer). Particularly Fazer's classic chocolate (Fazerin Sininen maitosuklaa) is famous throughout Finland, and the blue colour of its wrapper has been used by Fazer as a symbol for the whole product line. Fazer has bought a few other companies, including Finnish Chymos and Danish Perelly. The confectionery line was merged with its Swedish competitor Cloetta in 2000, to become Cloetta Fazer, though the merger lasted only until 2008 before the two brands were separated back to independent companies. Later, Fazer Keksit (which made biscuits) was sold to Danone. It was renamed as LU Suomi. Pia sent me this lovely FDC commemorating the 100^th Year of this very popular company.

The origins of Fazer Group lie in a family company founded in 1891 when confectioner Karl Fazer opened his first “French-Russian conditory", a café in Helsinki (Kluuvikatu 3). Today Fazer offers meals and bakery and confectionery products, and operates in eight countries. Fazer has several well-known and dearly loved brands, many of which were born already in the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Among these classics are Mignon, Kiss-Kiss, Wiener Nougat and Geisha. Over the years, Fazer’s brand portfolio has grown and now it also covers bakery products and cafés and restaurants. In addition to Fazer, also brands like Karl Fazer, Amica and Oululainen create taste sensations today. The common factor still remains the high quality of products and services, delicious taste and best ingredients.

FAZER Kiss-Kiss 180g. Kiss Kiss is one of the first ever candies produces in Finland. It was first introduced to the public in 1897 and it became a trademark in 1901.

EUROPA CEPT 1982 - Historic Events - Finland 29.4.1982

These two lovely stamps and the first day cover were issued on 29.4.1982 to commemorate significant historical events in Finland’s History. The 1.20 stamp is of the statue of Mikael Agricola is in front of the Turku Cathedral. Mikael Agricola, and the Publication of Abc-kirja Abc-book, (1st Finnish book), 1543. The Sculpture of Mikael Agricola translator, is by Oskari Jauhiainen, 1951, and the cover of Agricola's Abckiria.. The 1.50 stamp Fresco depicts the Turku Academy, 1st Finnish university. (Turku Academy Inaugural Procession, 1640, fresco originally painted by Albert Edelfelt. Repainted by Johannes Gebhard after it was destroyed in WWII. Pia gave me this historic FDC.

Now, what was the Abckiria? Abckiria (also sometimes spelled ABC-kiria, and spelled "ABC-kirja" in modern Finnish), in English "The ABC book", is the first book that was published in the Finnish language. It was written by Mikael Agricola, a bishop and Lutheran Reformer, and was first published in 1543. Agricola wrote the book while working on the first Finnish translation of the New Testament (which was eventually finished in 1548 as Se Wsi Testamenti). Abckiria was a primer meant to teach the basics of reading and writing. It contains the alphabet, some spelling exercises, and catechism. The first edition had 16 pages. The second edition, which was written in 1551, had 24 pages. No complete copies of either are known to exist, but general contents of the book have been discerned from the existing material.

Edelfelt, Albert (1854 - 1905). Albert Edelfelt was one of the most important Finnish visual artists of all time. He was above all a painter, but he also worked as a graphic artist and illustrator. In his era he was the most respected Finnish artist abroad. He was also in his time the undisputed leading figure in Finnish art. As a popular portraitist at European courts, he was of much greater social importance than other artists. Above all, he helped to lay the foundations for Finland's cultural prestige abroad.

The mural in the Great Hall of the University of Helsinki took up a considerable portion of Edelfelt's career. A competition was held in 1891 and resulted in Edelfelt's winning the commission for the main picture, Turun akatemian vihkiäiset ('The Inauguration of Turku Academy'). (The Turku Academy was the direct predecessor of the University of Helsinki.) He had researched the subject during his many trips abroad, but he did not complete the painting until 1904. It was an impressive finale to his career as a historical painter. Unfortunately the work was destroyed during the bombing in 1944.

European Tourism Year 1990

1990 was designated European Year of Tourism (EYT) by the European Community. The six member countries of EFTA have also accepted the Community's invitation to take an active part.

Tourism occupies a dominant position in the economy of Cyprus. According to the World Economic Forum's 2011 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, Cyprus' tourism industry ranks 24^th in the world in terms of overall competitiveness. In terms of Tourism Infrastructure, in relation to the tourism industry) Cyprus ranks 1^st in the world.

In December 1988 the EC Council of Ministers adopted the European Parliament’s recommendation for the designation of 1990 as European Tourism Year. The recognition of the increasing importance of tourism, not only as a source of revenue and employment for all European states but also as an important means through which a United Europe could be created, in view of the abolition of borders in 1992, was the main reason which led to the aforementioned decision. Thus the main aim of the European Tourism Year was defined by the European Community, as the promotion of the idea of a United Europe and the underlining of the huge economic and social importance of Tourism in this New Europe. With this aim in mind, both the member-states of the Community as well as the other countries of Europe, would honour the European Tourism Year with the staging of various events and programmes.

Cyprus would also honour the European Tourism Year being itself a predominantly tourist country, which indeed depends to a large extend on Europe, since more than 60% of the tourist arrivals hail from the EC area. Tourism for Cyprus constitutes today one of the most important factors of economic, social and cultural developments.
The Department of Postal services of Cyprus issued a commemorative series consisting of 4 stamps in order to honour European Tourism Year. The 5-cent stamp is dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Hotel and Catering Institute (HCI). This Institute was and is the basic factor for success in the development of this sector in Cyprus. For the development of this sector, HCI trains expertly qualified personnel, extending its work to students from overseas, a fact that has earned international recognition for the quality and importance of its contribution. The 7-cent stamps is dedicated to the completion of 11 centuries since the founding of the Saint Lazarus Church. Saint Lazarus took refuge to Kition after the beginning of persecutions against Christians, and was according to legend the first Bishop of the city, in which he was buried after he died for the second time. In 8980 A.D. Emperor Leon VI, the Wise, transferred his body to Constantinople and as a compensation he build the elegant Byzantine Church that stands over his tomb. It possesses a wood-engraved iconostatis of exceptional craftsmanship and a priceless old icon of the Bishop of Kition. The church has played an important role in the history of the city and constituted for centuries the necessary compliment to the pilgrimage to the holy Land. The 15 & 18 cent stamps are dedicated to the natural environment.