On Wednesday, May 8, Posti will issue four new stamp publications with a total of ten different stamp designs.
“The stamps celebrate Sweden’s NATO membership and the 100-year anniversary of the Royal Finnhorse Races. New stamps will also be published for spring celebration invitations and congratulations. This year, the Europa stamps take us under water,” says Tommi Kantola, Design Manager at Posti. He is responsible for the selection of the artists and for providing guidance on the artistic work.
The flags of Sweden and NATO flags intertwine in the stamp
The design of the stamp celebrating Sweden’s NATO membership started quickly once the membership was finally secured. “The flags of Sweden and NATO symbolically intertwine in the stamp. Since the idea may be a bit of a cliché, I tried to make it as visually impressive as possible while keeping the overall look of the stamp simple and graphic,” says Anssi Kähärä, who designed the stamp.
“In September 2023, Posti issued a stamp celebrating Finland’s NATO membership. We announced at the time that we would also commemorate Sweden’s membership with a stamp once the country became a member of NATO. Fortunately, things moved along and we will now get to publish the stamp with the May publication,” says Tommi Kantola, Design Manager at Posti.
Throughout history, many countries have issued NATO-themed stamps. NATO stamps are also in demand among collectors worldwide.
The Sweden’s NATO membership stamp sheet contains ten international no-value indicator stamps.
In July, the Royal Finnhorse Races will be held for the 100th time
The Royal Finnhorse Races (Kuninkuusravit), which will be held for the 100th time next July and hosted in Jyväskylä, is the highlight of the Finnish horse racing summer. To celebrate the anniversary, Posti will publish stamps designed by Stiina Hovi, featuring the three-time winner Evartti and race queens Lumi-Oosa and Suven Sametti, accompanied by Sirpsakka, who made her debut in the 2023 Queen’s Race.
“Every year, the Royal Finnhorse Races brings together tens of thousands of horse racing and horse enthusiasts in one place. It’s a unique event even on a global scale. The Royal Finnhorse Races is a celebration of our domestic horse breed. Having been to the Royal Finnhorse Races multiple times, it strikes me every time how the horses can move people and give them experiences in so many different ways,” says Stiina Hovi.
The Royal Finnhorse Races 100th anniversary stamp sheet’s ten stamps contain two different domestic no-value indicator stamp designs.
Stamps for spring celebrations and congratulations
Spring festivities once again bring people together, and many start a new phase of life afterwards. The stamps suitable for party invitations and congratulations were illustrated by Marjo Nygård, and they feature familiar festive elements: champagne, coffee, layer cakes and flowers.
“The small size of stamps poses quite a challenge in itself and forces you to simplify the shapes and cut down on content. Good stamps have something in common with good posters in that the viewer should be able to grasp what they see at a glance. However, the small size of stamps also invites you to take a closer look at the image,” says Nygård.
The Time for Celebration stamp sheet’s ten stamps contain five different domestic no-value indicator stamp designs.
The Europa stamps feature the Macroplea pubipennis leaf beetle and the Zostera marina seagrass
In May of this year, European postal administrations will publish Europa stamps with the theme of underwater fauna and flora.
The animal for the Finnish Europa stamps is the Macroplea pubipennis leaf beetle, which thrives in shallow and sheltered sea bays. The beetle, which is less than a centimeter long, can seldom be found in Finland in the area from Hamina to Oulu and on the Åland Islands.
The Europa stamp depicting flora features the Zostera marina seagrass, the only fully submerged seed plant in the Baltic Sea. The distribution of the salt-dependent plant extends to the central Gulf of Finland and the northern Bothnian Sea. The plant also provides a habitat for many other species.
“The Europa stamps feature a beetle and a plant. The gleaming water at the top of each stamp emphasizes the fact that the species live underwater. The shape of the upper part of the stamps depicts a wave, and the uneven stamp separation creates an image of air bubbles rising to the surface,” say Susanna Rumpu and Ari Lakaniemi, the stamp’s designers.
The Europa – Underwater Fauna and Florastamp sheet’s ten stamps contain two different domestic no-value indicator stamp designs.
First Day Event at Helsinki Main Post Office on May 8, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The First Day Event for the May stamps will be held on Wednesday, May 8, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Helsinki Main Post Office (Elielinaukio 2 F, 00100 Helsinki).
New stamps, first day covers and other stamp products will also be sold at the event. First day stamps will be available for postal items. The stamp artists will be there to sign their works from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Welcome!
Image material: https://digilibrary.emmi.fi/l/q5V8GCVbgKzF