New stamps introduced in May: A green stamp in support of Finnish solar power
04.05.2010
New stamps will be issued in Finland on May 4. The themes include being green, joyful moments in spring and summer, the World Fair, and sculptures. There will be a stamp booklet, a miniature sheet, and individual stamps. Moreover, a new personalized stamp frame will be published.
Carbon-neutral mail deliveries with a green stamp
| It is easy to choose a more environmentally sound for sending mail. As part of the Itella Green program, the 'Posti Vihreä - Grön Post' stamp will be introduced; deliveries with the stamp are carbon-neutral. The environment has been observed in all manufacturing phases of the stamp. |  |
Being the first in the world to do so, the stamp will be manufactured for Itella of 100% recyclable OBA-free paper material. No bleach or brightening substances will be used in it. No wax or shine substances have been added on the surface. The fresh green tone comes from a water-solvent print color which does not strain the environment.
The designers, Timo Berry and Teemu Ollikainen have prepared a post-horn in the first class stamp. The other end of the horn puts out green seed leaves. The stamp carries an extra fee of EUR 5 cents. The assets accrued from the fees will be allocated to support the construction of the first solar power plant in Finland.
Spring and summer festivities
| Spring and summer are a season for joyful celebration. The fresh 'Onnenhyppy' stamps are an excellent choice for congratulations cards, invitations, and summer greetings. The five-stamp miniature sheet designer is Tuomo Savolainen, who has studied at the Pekka Halonen Academy, and who won the "Kevään onnittelut" themed design competition arranged by Itella in 2008. |  |
Libraries are highlighted in the Europa stamps
The Finnish Library Association celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Today, libraries are more than just quiet places for reading books. The diversity and current form of libraries will be depicted in two Europa stamps. Leena Lumme, children's book illustrator, describes books as doors that open to different worlds of imagination and facts.
Kirnu depicted in a miniature sheet on the World Fair
| The Finnish pavilion at the EXPO 2010 World Fair in Shanghai is called Kirnu, or "Giant's Kettle", and it represents modern Finnish architecture. This innovative and memorable structure will be depicted in a miniature sheet designed by Jenni Erkintalo. The theme will also appear in two stationery cards. |  |
Itella and Finnish stamps will be involved in the all-time largest World Fair, opening in May, where a total of 80 million visitors are expected.
Finnish sculptures in a stamp booklet
The series focusing on Finnish art will continue with the introduction of a stamp booklet on sculptures in May. The designer is Klaus Welp. The booklet presents Finnish sculptures by Kain Tapper, Laila Pullinen, Pekka Aarnio, Kari Huhtamo, Mauno Hartman, Miina Äkkijyrkkä and Arvo Siikamäki.
A new personalized stamp frame and a Posti example stamp
A new personalized stamp frame, and Posti's personalized stamp based on it, will also be issued in May. The illustration is a decorative butterfly. The new frame is a great choice for summer greeting cards, congratulatory notes, and invitations. The designers are Susanna Rumpu and Ari Lakaniemi.
For more press information:
On stamps:
Markku Penttinen, Business Director, Philatelic Center, tel. +358 20 451 5519,
firstname.surname@posti.fi
Technical information:
Petri Pohjolainen, Product Manager, tel. +358 20 451 5572 and
Tommi Kantola, Product Manager, tel. + 358 20 451 5531,
firstname.surname@posti.fi
Contact person for Itella Communications:
Mika Heijari, Communications Manager, tel. +358 20 451 3045,
firstname.surname@itella.com
Stamp draft images for use in the media are available in Itella's image bank. For image material, please see the Media section of Itella's corporate website (click Media > Image service and logos): www.itella.com/.media -> Stamps
