The Sound of Silence 24.2.2017

The Calm and tranquil stamps depict Finnish nature in different seasons and are suitable for international postcards and light letters. The sheet designed by Stiina Hovi contains fifteen international no-value indicator stamps.

Hovi is an experienced graphic designer, whose handiwork is also seen in the supplement Kantri of Maaseudun Tulevaisuus.
– I chose pictures that, in my opinion, beautifully depict an important seasonal element—water—in its different forms. The pictures were taken in different parts of Finland during different seasons, and the photographers have nicely captured the moods of Finnish nature, Hovi says.

Thank you Ella.

Summer is Here - SUMMER GREETINGS FROM THE CITY 6.5.2016

Evening barbecues, mangoes, ice cream and beach days. These are just some of the nine reasons why summer is thebest season of the year. To underline the beauty of this time of the year and to promote summer mood Finland Post has prepared for releasing five class no-value indicator stamps that depict the joys of summer.

The traditional market stall and the lively skater present the diversity of the urban culture. Of course, the stamps also feature the beach, but the effect of weather on the happy days of Finnish summer cannot be avoided.

“City dwellers running for cover in sudden rain was a very suitable image for describing the surprising nature of weather in summer”, says Eili-Kaija Kuusniemi, the designer of the stamps. “For me, the most personal image would be summery feet in sandals. The feeling after you’ve used all your tricks and nail polish to make your feet ready for summer!” Works of the well-known graphic designer and illustrator have been seen on both Finnish products and large foreign brands.

Five colorful 1st class no-value indicator stamps depict the joys of summer. The traditional market stall and the lively skater present the diversity of the urban culture. Of course, the stamps also feature the beach, but the effect of weather on the happy days of Finnish

summer cannot be avoided. ”City dwellers running for cover in sudden rain was a very suitable image for describing the surprising nature of weather in summer,” says Eili-Kaija Kuusniemi, the designer of the stamps. ”For me, the most personal image would be summery feet in sandals. The feeling after you’ve used all your tricks and nail polish to make your feet ready for summer!”

Works of the well-known graphic designer and illustrator have been seen on both Finnish products and large foreign brands. The customers of Kuusniemi include Posti, Fazer, Arla, and Elle Magazine..          

Thank you Ella for this lovely FDC.

Joys of Summer in Finland 8.5.2015

Pietari Posti’s Summer feeling sheet comprises five funny and whimsical stamp designs of different sizes depicting traditional Finnish summer highlights, such as rowing, swimming in a lake, bike trips, ice cream and strawberries. 

These are all reflected on the minisheet on the FDC and on the lovely maxi cards given to me by my friend Ella. 

The Four Seasons of the Year in Cyprus 12.3.2014

The Four Seasons of the Year

"The stamps in this series graphically illustrate the four seasons, as each one occurs in Cyprus and in other countries of the temperate zone.

The €0,22c stamp illustrates winter. It is a period of rainfall, snow and generally bad weather, but also the time of the major holidays of Christmas and New Year.

The €0,43c stamp illustrates spring. The sweetest season of the year. In this season all nature, the trees and the valleys are clothed in their green beauty and the migratory birds 
return once again to their nests. This season is glorified with the Resurrection and the May Day.

The €0,85c stamp illustrates summer. The season that stands out with its fine weather and abundance of fruit. It is the season for reaping, relaxation and holidays when everyone enjoys the beauty of the sea and the mountains.

The €1,71c stamp illustrates autumn. During this season the days gradually shorten, the first rains fall, the fields are ploughed and the schools are once again filled with children's voices."

Thank you Dear Merja for this nice FDC with the four lovely stamps.

Rural and urban Fall themed Stamps 9.9.2013

This year's traditional fall-themed stamp in Itella Posti Oy's stamp release is the miniature sheet Signs of Fall designed by Emil Bertell. The five oblong 1^st class stamps feature beautiful and atmospheric pictures, of which Sauna on the Shore, Rowboat, and Apple Harvest are set in a nostalgic rural landscape. Boy with Umbrella and Park Bench, on the other hand, feature a more urban setting.

Thank you Ella for these lovely stamps, FDC and the miniature sheet.

Joys of Winter in Finland 21.1.2013

Finland post started the New Year with three issues on 21.1.2013. This issue is one of them.

The Sledging 1st class stamp is perfect for winter greetings. It was issued as a foldable sheet of ten stamps. The designer, Georgi Eremenko, wanted to illustrate the joys and light of winter. “I found inspiration from watching colorfully dressed people sledging in Kaivopuisto Park in Helsinki on a sunny January weekend,” Mr. Eremenko comments.

Thank you Dear Ella for this lovely FDC.

Spring blossoms 5.3.2012

This First Day Cover with the minisheet of Spring flower stamps was issued by Finland on 5.3.2012. Spring flowers are shown in a retro-styled six-stamp miniature booklet that depicts liverwort, spring pea, least gagea, lung-wort, marsh marigold and spring corydalis. Klaus Welp designed the Spring Blossoms miniature booklet, and he also took the photographs for it. My friend Ella sent me this lovely FDC and the minisheet. This sheet of six plant stamps is like a little herbario: liverwort, spring pea, least gagea, lung-wort, marsh marigold, and spring corydalis. The nostalgic feelings come from the yellow toned paper and the old fashioned Latin names. The plants were selected for the miniature booklet according to their visual and scientific values.

I am given to understand that decades ago school children in Finland had to collect upto 40 specimens of flowers and plants during the three months summer holidays. After collecting them, these flowers and plants were pressed and dried. Then they were fastened on a paper with a special tape. Children had to learn the Latin names of these plants and flowers too. When summer was over and they returned to school, teachers wanted to see their herbarios. An exam had to be passed as well! Gosh!