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Prologue
Oscar II: The First Swedish Portrait Stamp
The year 1885 is important within Swedish philately; this year saw the day of light of the first Swedish
portrait stamps. Several attempts had been made through the previous decades that Sweden should follow
Norway’s decision to have the ruling King pictured on a stamp, but none of these resulted in a Swedish
issue. Sweden had to wait thirty years from the first issuing of stamps until the King—then Oscar II—was
pictured on a stamp.
The exhibit ”King Oscar II 1885-1911” by Magnus Gartrup shows all the issues and values depicting the
King, printed and used both domestic and internationally during this long period of years. Some of the
values, and especially the 10 öre, were printed in very large numbers. In a traditional exhibit, the study of
printings and usages of the values are among the key factors, and together with the many large printings
and long period of usage it turns into an Eldorado for collectors. Magnus has, through more than 25 years of
collecting, been able to add rarely seen items from a postal very active and interesting period of Swedish
philately.
The issuing of the stamps was preceded by an intense working process where several different engravings
resulted in proofs and together with colour proofs of the final die; many are shown in this exhibit. One of
mine and Magnus’ favourites is the internationally well-known perforated proof of the 5 öre printed in
brown colour. Among other fascinating items are the larger double-sized proofs for the 1 krona, and the
early usages from December 1884, the month before the originally planned issuing date.
In his exhibit Magnus Gartrup shows all the necessary conditions to be able to receive high results at an
exhibition, and this also resulted in the prestigious award, the ”Silverryttaren” donated by Postiljonen AB, at
the national exhibition Bofilex 2007. The exhibit had previously received a gold medal at the Nordic exhibition
Nordia 2005.
The great variety of usages on different kinds of postal items in the exhibit is a clear proof of the great
knowledge Magnus has in the area, and it is with great pleasure I thank you, Magnus, for your kind willingness
to share this knowledge with us.
Stockholm, October, 2008
Jan Berg
Member of the Bureau
F.I.P. Commission for
Traditional Philately