Friday, November 30, 2012

Finnish Christmas stamps - spread the holiday spirit in new ways 5.11.2012


On Monday, November 5, Posti issued Christmas stamps with two seasonal themes: Christmas tree and stable lantern. The themes of the sheets might be traditional, but the design is all new.
The Christmas Tree stamp comes in a triangular sheet that doubles as an impressive Christmas decoration. Thanks to its special fold, the 20-stamp sheet stands upright like a miniature Christmas tree. Use it to get your desk in the holiday spirit – and to remind you to send your holiday greetings! The Christmas Tree stamp is worth EUR 0.60, which is the special domestic Christmas greeting rate. To send Christmas greetings with this stamp, the deadline in Finland is Thursday, December 13.
The Stable Lantern stamp creates the peaceful mood of expectation that is the heart of the Christmas season. The Stable Lantern stamp, sold in sheets of 10, is 1st class. The stamp sheet comes with Christmas-themed Priority labels which can be used for both international Christmas greetings and domestic 1st class cards and letters. The mailing deadline for domestic Christmas greetings with a 1st class stamp is Tuesday, December 18.
Nina Rintala designed the 2012 Christmas stamp. Nina is a graphic artist from Turku who has previously designed stamps for Itella, including the Church Sleigh Christmas stamp, which was recognized as the most beautiful stamp of 2002. In 2008, Rintala designed the world’s first transparent stamp, Frosty Night, for Itella. 
Ella my friend sent me these lovely maxi cards and the wonderful FDC.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian 29.11.1980


In 1977, the General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (resolution 32/40 B). On that day, in 1947, the Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine (resolution 181 (II))
In resolution 60/37 of 1 December 2005, the Assembly requested the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Division for Palestinian Rights, as part of the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November, to continue to organize an annual exhibit on Palestinian rights or a cultural event in cooperation with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the UN.
The observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People also encouraged Member States to continue to give the widest support and publicity to the observance of the Day of Solidarity.
Thank you Merja for this nice First Day Cover.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

UNITED NATIONS VIENNA - 35TH ANNIVERSARY – FDCs with GENEVA CACHET


These two first day covers were issued to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the United Nations. The FDCs are with the Geneva Cachet. The two mini sheets with two commemorative stamps were issued on 26th June 1980. Thank you Merja for these two FDCs.
The United Nations (abbreviated UN in English, and ONU in French and Spanish), is an international organization whose stated aims are
facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace. The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II to replace the League of Nations, to stop wars between countries, and to provide a platform for dialogue. It contains multiple subsidiary organizations to carry out its missions.
There are 193 member states, including every internationally recognized sovereign state in the world but Vatican City. From its offices around the world, the UN and its specialized agencies decide on substantive and administrative issues in regular meetings held throughout the year. The organization has six principal organs: the General Assembly (the main deliberative assembly); the Security Council (for deciding certain resolutions for peace and security); the Economic and Social Council (for assisting in promoting international economic and social cooperation and development); the Secretariat (for providing studies, information, and facilities needed by the UN); the International Court of Justice (the primary judicial organ); and the United Nations Trusteeship Council (which is currently inactive). Other prominent UN System agencies include the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The UN's most prominent position is Secretary-General which has been held by Ban Ki-moon of South Korea since 2007.
The United Nations Headquarters resides in international territory in New York City, with further main offices at Geneva, Nairobi, and Vienna. The organization is financed from assessed and voluntary contributions from its member states, and has six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. 

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

World Refugee Year


Issued by Iceland on April 7, 1960, to bring attention to World Refugee Year (7/1/59 - 6/30/60), this complete set of two mint stamps features "The Outlaw," a work of the Icelandic artist Einar Jonsson.

Einar Jónsson
 (May 11, 1874 – October 18, 1954) was an Icelandic Sculptor,   born in Galtafell, a farm in southern Iceland.  Einar Jonsson was a groundbreaking voice amongst his contemporaries. A great connoisseur of myths, he was a maverick figure with an oneiric imagination and an earnest believer in an all-embracing symbolism.
Jonsson showed Outlaws for the first time in 1901 at the Spring Salon in Copenhagen. The artwork focuses on a presumed criminal who runs away with his dead wife on his shoulders, his half-sleepy son gently hugging his neck and a loyal dog that follows them. The outlaw wants to bury his bride, but to fulfil his will, acting as a Scandinavian Antigone, he needs to go against the norm and therefore become a criminal.    
Jonsson confessed he wanted to tell a story about people living at society’s margins in critical conditions. The artwork is a sui generis Pietà, where the dead body is not lying at the bottom of the composition and the mourners are not crying or paralysed in a dramatic stasis, but are instead on the move, actively reacting to their despair. The viewer can feel the family’s fatigue which is masterly symbolized by the outlaw’s face: it’s contracted and in tension, fighting against the physically demanding and emotionally oppressing strain.
Thank you Maria for this nice cover.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Aland Christmas stamp 9.10.2012

Finnish artist Minna L. Immonen created this year's Christmas stamp, combining a traditional Christmas motif with typically Åland features. Minna L. Immonen has been drawing since childhood, focusing on painting since her senior school days. Having completed an education as a graphic designer and attended various art schools, she started her own company Minna-Kortti in the 1980s. Minna's watercolour paintings are today familiar to large parts of the Finnish population, her illustrations distinguishing themselves by the individual story told by each illustration. In addition to cards, stamps and paintings, Minna has designed Chinaware for Arabia of Finland, including a children's series with teddy bears and Christmas mugs and jars with traditional Christmas designs such as pixies, apples and gingerbread biscuits. In 2008, she designed the cover of a Fazer's chocolate box, and she has also illustrated a number of books. Minna describes the Åland Christmas stamp in this way: "Inspired by the sea, the motif still has a Christmassy accent. The motif on the first day cover symbolizes the arrival of Christmas mail."
Thank you Ella for this lovely FDC. Merry Christmas to you too.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Meet in Singapore 1995 11.1.1995



Formed in 1974, the Singapore Convention Bureau began the promotion of Singapore as a convention destination. A campaign was initiated in August 1992 to re-position Singapore at a higher plane of sophistication in terms of facilities and expertise.
The Meet in Singapore 1995 campaign was launched to promote 21 years of infrastructure development and professionalism and to raise awareness of Singapore as a convention destination.
1995 would also symbolise the coming of age of the convention industry and the opening of Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre at Suntec City would cap the completion of a series of facilities that marked various milestones of the development of the industry.
The four special postage stamps on the FDC and brief details are as under:
20 cent stamp Exhibition Centre at SUNTEC City. The Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre at Suntec City is the first purpose-built facility in Singapore.
75 cent stamp SUNTEC City – The business Capital of Asia. Suntec City is the single largest privately owned commercial project in Singapore.
$1 stamp SUNTEC City – Temasek Boulevard View. Suntec City stretches across a considerable span of Temasek Boulevard. The grand entrance of the Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre.
$2 stamp SUNTEC City – Fountain Terrace. The Fountain Terrace is the heart and civic core of Suntec City.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Finlandia-95



The 16th European Athletics Championships were held from 7 August to 14 August 1994 in the Olympic Stadium of Helsinki, Finland. Pia sent this lovely FDC which celebrated Finlandia-95 (an international stamp exhibition) with the  miniature sheet shown on the cover. This was also the occasion to commemorate the EuropeanChampionships in Atheletics. Finland did this through the stamps on this minisheet affixed to this attractive cover. The sports men and women on the stamps are:-

Riitta Salin won the European Championship in 400 meters in 1974. She also finished 7th in the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games.
Pirjo Häggman.  Twelve times Finnish champion in the 100m and 400m, Ms Haggman began competing at age fifteen. She participated in the European Championships in Athens in 1969, and again in Rome and Prague in 1974 and 1978, respectively.  
Lasse Viren. Lasse Artturi Virén (born July 22, 1949) is a former Finnish long-distance runner, winner of four gold medals at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics. Born in Myrskylä, Finland, Virén recaptured the image of the "Flying Finns" promoted by runners like Hannes Kolehmainen, Paavo Nurmi, and Ville Ritola in the 1920s.
Tiina Lillak. Tiina Lillak (born April 15, 1961 in Helsinki) is a former Finnish javelin thrower, who was among the best female javelin throwers in the world in the early and mid 1980s. While she has been credited for starting a string of successes for Finnish female Javelin thrower, her more notable accomplishments include winning a world championship and an Olympic medal. After retiring from athletics, Lillak began working as a masseuse.
Pentti Nikula (born 3 February 1939 in Somero) is a retired Finnish pole vaulter. During his career he won the European Championships and held the world record.

Friday, November 23, 2012

UROPA - Puukko - Knife from Voyri, Sheath and Belt 3.5.1976

Europa CEPT postage stamp. The theme of the year 1976 was Handicrafts. A puukko is a small traditional Finnish belt-knife with a single curving cutting edge and a flat back.

Men's and women's puukkos do not significantly differ. The only difference is that women's puukkos are often shorter, may have decorated sheaths, and are better suited for working with foodstuffs. Both boy and girl Scouts consider the puukko their scouting symbol as well as a handy tool. Getting a good puukko as a gift or present is considered a great honour in Finland.

In the Nordic countries, the puukko is an "everyday" knife that is used for everything from hunting, fishing, and garden work to opening boxes in the warehouse. Many traditional puukkos are nowadays manufactured in industrial or near-industrial scale by many companies, Marttiini and Iisakki Järvenpää Oy being the most notable. Bearing of sharp objects which could be used as weapons was banned in Finland in 1977. Since then, the puukko has lost its visibility in public places and been restricted to household work, hunting and fishing. In many industries the Mora knife which has a much cheaper construction is in use. The mora knife's handle is typically plastic, and the blade is either stainless steel or of laminated construction; harder steel which forms the edge is clad in softer steel. In Finnish, these knives also are usually referred to as puukko.

In Finland carrying a blade in public spaces without a permit or job related reason is prohibited. Currently, the only urban areas where they can be seen carried openly are garrisons. The puukko is the only civilian item which can be openly worn as a part of a soldier's combat gear without breaching Finnish Army regulations, and most conscripts bring their own puukkos with them into military service. It is a custom of Finnish conscripts, non-commissioned officers, and officer cadets to carry a decorated and engraved commemorative puukko of their year course as a part of their uniform, not unlike a commemorative dagger. This is rationalized as the carrying of a handy tool, but it also doubles as a symbolic sidearm. Puukkos proved to be good close combat weapons in the Winter War and Continuation War. The bayonet of the Rk-62 assault rifle has been designed to also function as a puukko, as was the rare bayonet for the M/39 Mosin-Nagant. Openly carrying a puukko, while technically illegal is not vigorously enforced. Construction workers often go to diners with a puukko hanging from their coveralls. and in the rural and in the Northern parts of the land it is not uncommon to go shopping in the village stores wearing hunting clothes that includes a puukko.

In Finland, receiving a puukko as a gift is considered an honor. The idea behind this is the presenter gives the recipient a tool which is essential for both woodworking, preparing food and as a sidearm, and that the presenter takes into account the well-being of the recipient. I hope I get one some day.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Åland - Postal Labels - White Rose of Finland and Special Postmarrk 19.9.2008


Please note that this is not an FDC, instead it has a special cancellation: 19.9.2008, commemorating 180 years of the Mail & Custom's House.  

The full Burnet rose is also often called 'White Rose of Finland' or 'Midsummer Rose'. It is widely spread in Åland, and it was quite common in old gardens during the later part of the 1800s. As the cottages and farms disappeared, the Burnet roses survived and now grows wild in many places.

The full Burnet rose blossoms in the early summer with white or cream-white half-full flowers. It has a dense growth and covers large areas. The stems have numerous stiff bristles and many straight spines. The Burnet rose has a fresh, fruity scent and is one of the most hardy roses in the Nordic area, surviving even above the polar circle! The colour varies depending on the mother plant. Some leaves are bluish-green, others are lighter green.

The post mark is impressive and highlights The Eckerö Mail & Custom's House
The stately Eckerö Mail & Custom's House was built in 1828 and drawn by the architects Carl Ludvig Engel and Carlo Bassi. The building is fashioned in the empire building style, known from, for example, the Helsinki centre and St. Petersburg. Eckerö Mail & Custom's House represents together with Bomarsund the Russian occupation in Finland and Åland. Eckerö used to be the Russian custom's border with Sweden for more than a hundred years.
Architect historians of today consider the Eckerö Mail & Custom's House to be one of Engels most important non-church buildings. The building has been owned by the Åland province since 1994 and is managed by the Åland government. The building and the surrounding area are an important part of the Åland cultural inheritance and have a strong connection with the Old Mail Route. Today the cultural building offers a fine excursion destination for the whole family.
Thank you Pia for this lovely card.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

450th Anniversary of the Finnish Population Registers 1.9.1994

Finland’s present Population Information System is based on the integration of material compiled for two different purposes. Data on population in Finland has been registered for the needs of both the civil authorities and the churchsince the 16th century. This is when King Gustavus Vasa of Sweden launched administrative reforms and increased the efficiency of tax collection and military recruitment. For this purpose, land registers were established. Land registers specified the number of households, and their maintenance became established in the 1530s (the first one in Finland was the Åland Land Register of 1537). Maintenance of records of men fit for military service became established in the 1550s. 
Census lists – local population registers – have been maintained in Finland since 1634. Originally they were lists of persons paying poll tax. Later they became an administrative tool that also facilitated the determination of place of residence and military recruitment and acted as electoral registers and tax rolls. Until 1652, registration of population data was the task of the clergy, but subsequently it was designated as the task of land commissioners until 1779 and thereafter of census officers. The last census was held in 1989.
The church also introduced its own population register. The church records of Sweden-Finland are among the oldest population records in Europe. As early as 1628, the Bishop of Turku, Isaacus Rothovius, ordered that vicars must keep records of births, marriages and deaths. The order to maintain parish registers was extended to cover the entire country in the 1660s, and this was confirmed by the Church Act of 1686. Finland’s first population statistics, population tables, date back to 1750.

The Finnish Population Information System serves a variety of societal functions including election arrangements, taxation, judicial administration, administrative decision-making and planning, compilation of statistics, and research. Businesses and other organisations also have access to data collected in the Population Information System.
Thank you Pia for this nice FDC with the graphic stamp on it issued by Finland on 1.9.1994.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

175th anniversary of modern Singapore 31.8.1994



The four stamps in the miniature sheet affixed to the first day cover, were issued in celebration of the 175th Anniversary of Modern Singapore, on 21.3.1994.
The founding of modern Singapore in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles paved the way for Singapore to become a modern port and established its status as a gateway between the Western and Eastern markets. This was distinct from its earlier probable use as a port in ancient times during the dominance of Srivijaya, and later, Melaka in the region. This was because previously, the main markets were India and China. However, with the founding of modern Singapore, Europe, and to an extent the United States, had now become sources of trade as well.

The set of stamps celebrates the spectacular achievements Singapore has made. The 20 cent stamp depicts progress in the field of education; the 50 cent stamp shows the transformation in the modes of transportation; the 75 cent stamp features Singapore’s development from a humble trading post into the world’s busiest port, and the $1 stamp depicts Singapore’s transformation into a modern metropolis and a prosperous nation. A nation the citizens can be truly proud off.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Pro Patria


In 1909, a small group of patriotic and charitably minded personalities led by the St. Gallen businessman Albert Schuster initiated the "Swiss National Day Donation". Its guiding idea was to mark the Swiss National Day with a collective act by the population. An annual collection was intended to increase solidarity in the country. The noble aim of the initiators was supported by the Federal Council from the very beginning.
With the aid of the Post Office, a valuable fund-raising instrument was introduced in 1910, namely the National Day postcards and, from 1938, the National Day stamps (known as Pro Patria stamps since 1952). The charitable surcharge (carriage surcharge) on these specially created miniature works of art was earmarked for social and cultural works. Maria gave me this FDC. The stamp (30+10) on the cover is part of the 6 stamp Pro Patria stamp set issued by Switzerland in 1972.
In 1923, the 1 August emblem was created as a further fund-raising medium. In 1991, the association became a public foundation with the name "Pro Patria Schweizerische Bundesfeierspende" (Pro Patria Swiss National Day Donation). A network of volunteers carries out the collections. The money collected was used mainly to benefit needy groups within the population until well into the post-war years. With the steady growth of public and private social institutions, the focus shifted in the direction of culture. Today, Pro Patria mainly supports the rescue, preservation and upkeep of historic buildings and cultural landscapes. 

Sunday, November 18, 2012

From the Helsinki Stamp Fair


Further to my post on 10th November 2012 regarding the Helsinki Stamp Fair, here is a maxi card and a
cover issued by Aland Post from its booth at the fair. Thank you Ella for these nice offerings from Aland.

What a date?


Merja sent me this cover with the really unique cancellation. 10 - 11 - 12. What a date. Thank you.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

25 Years of Operationally Ready National Service 1.7.1994


The 25 Years of Operationally Ready National Service commemorative stamps issue is a tribute to all NSmen who commit themselves to protecting the interests, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Singapore. The peace and stability Singaporeans enjoy today has largely been achieved through the dedication and commitment of all NSmen.

The concept in all four stamps shows the transformation of an NSman in his civilian role to his military role as an Operationally Ready National Servicemen.  He responds to the nation's call at a moment's notice when mobilised.  The visual unifier used in all four stamps is the "mobilisation man" showing a soldier in a ready pose with an M-16 rifle in hand.  The M-16 is the standard weapon used by Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers. To show the linkage between the NSman and his contribution to society, four different backgrounds showing different aspects of Singapore are used; the National Day Parade, a beach scene, a residential housing estate and the Singapore skyline.

Depicted on the 20 cents stamp is a civilian taking his pledge to the nation with the National Day Parade in the background and his transformation to an Operationally Ready NSman in the field firing a MILAN anti-tank gun.

The 30 cents stamp shows an NSman at the beach with his family and his transformation to an Operationally Ready NSman on a patrol mission  He is depicted in green camouflage uniform carrying the M-16, the standard weapon used by the SAF.

Featured in the 35 cents stamp is an NSman relaxing at home with a housing estate in the background.  The transformation shows him in a field environment firing a General Purpose Machine Gun.

The 75 cents stamp shows an NSman at his workplace with the Singapore skyline in the background and his transformation to an NSman in a field environment.  It shows an NS commander leading a mission while peering through a pair of binoculars with map in hand.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Chemists Club, Finnish Chemists Society Centenary 1.11.1991

The stamp on the left and the one to its right are designed to produce a three dimensional effect when viewed together. Difference is on second and third vertical branches merge while second and third branches below almost touch in the upper left part of camphor molecular structure. The Date of issue was 1.11.1991.

Two of the many scientists of chemistry in Finland are depicted on the cover. They are:
Ossian Aschan who In 1908 was appointed holder of the professorship of the University of Helsinki. He published some 250 papers and in addition compiled handbooks and textbooks of which "Chemie der alicyclischen Verbindungen" of 1150 pages is considered to be the most important. At the time of Aschan's professorship Finland gained her independence in1917.
Gustaf Komppa  was a chemist best known for a world-first in commercializing  total synthesis, namely,  that of camphor   in 1903.
The Chemistry Guild began in the year 1891, and it is the oldest guild of the Aalto University. The Chemistry Guild has about 400 members. The Guild’s symbol is a white neon atom on blue background. The official color of the Guild is blue.

The main functions of the Guild include arranging events for its members and representing the interests of the students in the various governing bodies of the department. Thank you Pia for this interesting cover.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) 26.9.1966

Iceland issued these stamps and cover on 26.9.1966. The cover depicts an old Viking ship. The stamps depict a symbolic ship, representing CEPT, making steady progress on a Calm Sea. Designed by German brothers Josef and Gregor Bender. Thank you Maria for this nice FDC.
The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) was established on June 26, 1959, as a coordinating body for Europa state telecommunications and  postal organisations. The acronym comes from the  French  version of its name Conférence européenne des administrations des postes et des télécommunications.
CEPT was responsible for the creation of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute in 1988.
CEPT is organised into three main components:
§  Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) - responsible for radiocommunications and telecommunications matters and formed by the merger of ECTRA and ERC (European Radiocommunications Committee) in September 2001.
§  The permanent secretariat of the ECC is the European Communications Office (ECO)
§  European Committee for Postal Regulation (CERP, after the French "Comité européen des régulateurs postaux") - responsible for postal matters
§  The Committee for ITU Policy (Com-ITU) is responsible for organising the co-ordination of CEPT actions for the preparation for and during the course of the ITU activities meetings of the Council, Plenipotentiary Conferences, World Telecommunication Development Conferences, World Telecommunication Standardisation Assemblies.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Malaysia 9.10.2008 - Unique Flowers of Malaysia


There are many varieties of flowers found in Malaysia and there are some species that are attractive and unique due to their special shape or rare fragrance. Most traditional Malay landscape comprise of plants with fragrant flowers, leaves and wood. In fact, most traditional poetry refers to these unique traits. The issuance of these  Unique Flower stamps was an effort to increase the awareness of such flowers as well as to popularize Malaysian flowers.  The stamps were issued on 9.10.2008. A brief description of the stamps on the FDC are given below.

30 sen: Kenerak is a shrub or small tree up to 3 metres high with ascending branches and shot twigs forming conical or uneven crown. Leaves are oblong in shape, widest near apex and bluntly tipped, 12 - 24 cm long, 6 – 11 cm wide, dull yellow green. Flowers grow solitary on leaf twigs hanging from short stalks. Calyx is green in colour, and outer petals are cream white or pale yellowish and very fragrant. The fruits are ellipsoid, 1.2 cm long, red in colour and turn purplish black as it ripens. Kenerak is often planted in Malay villages, especially in Kelantan and Terengganu. The flowers are often sold in the markets.

30 sen: Climbing Lily. This plant is a species of lily that climbs up to 2.5 metres in height, aided by tendril-like tips at the of its narrow lanceolate shaped leaves. The flowers are attractive and unique with narrow yellow and red curly edged petals. When it blooms, the flower turns inside out and points upwards, with the stamens and pistil more or less horizontal. The plant has underground bulb which is poisonous.The plant is cultivated in Malaysian gardens for its unique and attractive flowers. Malays call it Bunga Kembang Songsang because when the flowers fully bloom the petals grow inverted.

50 sen: Rangoon Creeper is a climbing shrub, and is planted as an ornamental plant because of its unique flowers. It can also be found growing wild. The flowers are very attractive and borne in short clusters. The flower tube is 5 cm long and the petals are white but turn to red when matured. The flower blooms at night and are very fragrant. The plant is often planted as climber on fences, on specially prepared pergolas or left to climb on big trees.

50 sen: Banana Shrub. The shrub is about 1 – 2 metres high, branched to form bush-shaped canopy. The leaves are elliptical in shape, 5 – 10 cm long, 2 – 6 cm wide, with short petiole, and dark green in colour. The flowers are about 3-4 cm in diameter when fully opened, the bracts are brownish and hairy, and the petals are yellowish white with slightly purplish base. The flowers are fragrant reminiscent of banana. In Malaysia the plant seldom bear fruits.

The Chinese community uses the flowers to fragrant tea and the Malays use the flowers in aromatic bath and potpourri.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The Karelian Rose 5.5.1994

The stamp on this cover depicts the famed Karelian Rose. The stamp was issued in Finland on 5.5.1994. My friend Pia gave me this FDC.
The Karelian rose is the county flower of North Karelia. It is a continental species, and its distribution in Finland is evidently eastern. This species is densely covered in prickles which are straight and needle-like. This is the best distinguishing character between the Karelian rose and the very similar cinnamon rose as the prickles of the latter can also be hooked. Furthermore, the flower-stalks of the Karelian rose are usually covered with glandular hairs, whereas those of the cinnamon rose are hairless. Also the shape of the hip differs somewhat.

Monday, November 12, 2012

12th Meeting of Heads of Governments of the Commonwealth 4.10.1993


In 1993 Cyprus hosted the 12th Meeting of Heads of Governments of the Commonwealth.

Recognising the importance of the Commonwealth, the Department of Postal Services of Cyprus issued two special stamps, to honour this meeting. The designing of the stamps is based on motifs from the decoration of a Cypro-Geometric bowl (1050-750 B.C.) found at the locality of Agia Anastasia, Lapithos and now at the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary union of independent states co-operating in the advancement of international understanding and peace for the common benefit of their peoples. The member countries of the Commonwealth were former colonies of Great Britain which gained their independence. The Commonwealth is characterized by a continuous development process and contributes in a positive way to the solution of problems currently facing the human race. The Commonwealth consists of 50 member countries with a population amounting to one fourth of the world population. It is spread all over the continents embracing peoples of different religions, languages and civilizations, united in their belief in the common principles of freedom, justice and equality irrespective of religion, colour or race. The developing relations between the Governments of the member countries supported and fostered by the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Institute and the Commonwealth Foundation as well as by the activities of a large number of non-Governmental Organizations contribute towards extending the Commonwealth's role to cover every aspect of life of these peoples.
Thank you Merja for this nice FDC.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Surtsey Island

Surtsey is a new island formed by volcanic eruptions in 1963-67. It has been legally protected from its birth and provides the world with a pristine natural laboratory. Free from human interference, Surtsey has produced long-term information on the colonisation process of new land by plant and animal life.

Surtsey was born as a new volcanic island in 1963-67 and since that time has played a major role in studies of succession and colonisation. It has been the site of one of the few long term studies worldwide on primary succession, providing a unique scientific record of the process of colonisation of land by plants, animals and marine organisms. Not only is it geographically isolated, but it has been legally protected from its birth, providing the world with a pristine natural laboratory, free from human interference. Above all, because of its continuing protection, Surtsey will continue to provide invaluable data on biological colonisation long into the future.

The new island was named after Surtra fire jötunn or giant from Norse mythology. It was intensively studied by volcanologists during its eruption, and afterwards bybotanists and biologists as life forms gradually colonised the originally barren island. The undersea vents that produced Surtsey are part of the Vestmannaeyjar (Westmann Isles) submarine volcanic system, part of the fissure of the sea floor called the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Vestmannaeyjar also produced the famous eruption of Eldfell on the island of Heimaey in 1973. The eruption that created Surtsey also created a few other small islands along this volcanic chain, such as Jólnir and other, unnamed peaks. Most of these eroded away fairly quickly.
The three stamps on the FDC were issued on 23.6.1965 showing the Surtsey Island in the process of evolving. Thank you Maria for this nice FDC.
Estimates of how long Surtsey will survive are based on the rate of erosion seen up to the present day. Assuming that the current rate does not change, the island will be mostly at or below sea level by 2100. However, the rate of erosion is likely to slow as the tougher core of the island is exposed: an assessment assuming that the rate of erosion will slow exponentially suggests that the island will survive for many centuries. An idea of what it will look like in the future is given by the other small islands in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago, which formed in the same way as Surtsey several thousand years ago, and have eroded away substantially since they were formed.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Helsinki Stamp Fair


Helsinki stamp Fair is the largest annual philatelic event in Finland. It gathers thousands of collectors. The Helsinki stamp fair is arranged by the largest stamp company in Finland; Suomen Filateliapalvelu oy – Philatelic service of Finland. This year it was held on 28.10.2012.  Theme for this year was ‘Navigation’, and very appropriately the stamp features the Titanic. An exhibition card (as shown here) was also issued on the occasion.
The cancellation is in the shape of a scuttle or porthole cover, securely battened down. Thank you Ella for the cover (below) and the card.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Centenary of the Electric Power Plant at Tampere 15.3.19821

Finnish power plant operation is considered as having started on March, 15 in 1882. A prestigious crowd of distinguished guests witnessed lights being switched on in Finlayson weaving factory in Tampere marking this great event. A  total of 160 light bulbs. From this historic moment began the regular consumption of electricity in Finland. 

The Cover has depictions of Edision's bulb and a dynamo. Thank you Pia for this nice FDC.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Kuopio 4.3.1982


Kuopio is a city and a municipality located in the region of Northern Savonia, . A popfinlandulation of 98,309 makes it the ninth biggest city in the country. The city has a total area of 2,317.24 square kilometres (894.69 sq mi), of which 719.85 km2 (277.94 sq mi) is water and half forest. The population density is only 62 /km2(160 /sq mi), but the city's urban areas are populated very densely (urban area: 1 617.6 /km²), nationally second only to capital Helsinki (urban area: 1,690.0/km²). The population of the entire Kuopio region is 119,472.
The town of Nilsiä is joining Kuopio at the beginning of the year 2013. After that, Kuopio’s population will be well over 100,000.
Kuopio celebrated its 200 years 04/03/1982. And hence, the issue of this interesting stamp and the FDC showing the Coat of Arms of this historic city. Thank you Pia.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Iceland 17.5.1965 - 100 Years of The International Telecommunication Union (ITU)


On 24 May 1844, Samuel Morse sent his first public message over a telegraph line between Washington and Baltimore, and through that simple act, ushered in the telecommunication age.
On 17 May 1865, after two and a half months of arduous negotiation, the first International Telegraph Convention was signed in Paris by the 20 founding members, and the International Telegraph Union (ITU) was established to facilitate subsequent amendments to this initial agreement. Today, some 145 years later, the reasons which led to the establishment of ITU still apply, and the fundamental objectives of the organization remain basically unchanged.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was founded in 1865 making it the oldest international organization in the UN family. ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology issues, and the global focal point for governments and the private sector in developing networks and services.
From its beginnings in 1865 up until the present ITU has produced a multitude of documents that chart the organization’s history and contribution to information and communication technology issues.
These two stamps on the FDC given to me by Maria were issued on 17.5.1965 to coomemorate the 100thAnniversary of the founding of the ITU.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Finland "FROSTY NIGHT" World's FIRST Transparent Stamp


Finland's post Itella issued a stamp called "Frosty Night" on 6.11.2008. This innovative stamp is printed on a special clear film, and it is believed to be the first transparent stamp in the world.
The Frosty Night stamp depicts the atmosphere of a Northern winter night with a frosty snowflake, twinkling stars and aurora borealis in the background.
The stamp is printed with blue shades on a clear filmic self-adhesive material from UPM Raflatac. The card or envelope behind the stamp then gives its own colour to the transparent snowflake and stars. Thank you Ella for this lovely and memorable  First Day Cover.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Finnish Popular Art16.2.1992

This stamp was issued on 15.2.1982 in Finland to highlight the importance of Finnish Popular Art in tapestry and rug making. Ryijy is a form of Finnish tapestry or cloth rug.
The name ryijy originated with the Scandinavian word rya, which means "thick cloth". The decorative ryijy rug is an art form unique to Finland. In the late 19th century, ryijy rug weaving developed as a folk art. Some of the most beautiful tapestries were woven then.

Ryijys date back from as early as the 9th century. Similar in nature to a knotted Persian carpet, the ryijy knots are further apart and are much larger and longer. Originally woven for use as coverlets and bedding, they were mainly in natural colors, white, gray, and black. Some tones of yellow, red, green, and blue were introduced with vegetable dyes. Later, aniline dyes added another dimension of color and design.

Today ryijy-making techniques include new fibers such as paper string, available in hundred of colors, as is the traditional wool. They are designed for a multitude of places and purposes, but each is an individual work of art. Thank you Pia for this nice FDC.