Edition 1-2012 - Posten à land

2 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKENEnriching diversificationMost often, Åland stamps are printed in four-colour offset. Still, other printing techniquesor special effects may be applicable occasionally to heed the interest of collectors, philatelistsand, of course, Ålanders in general. This year, it is time for an engraved stampto be issued. Engraving is a rare type of printing technique for Åland Post, since it hasonly been used for 10 of 295 Åland stamps issued. For that reason we dare say that thestamp The Man at the Wheel will be this year’s most magnificent stamp. The use of thistechnique also gives us the opportunity to offer our customers interesting side productssuch as black prints and special graphic sheets. The printing of these sheets was done byhand in a hand-printing press on paper of very high quality and in a very limited edition.Anita HäggblomDIRECTORÅLAND POST STAMPS1•2012ÅLAND POST LTDSTAMPSP.O. Box 1100AX-22111 MARIEHAMNÅLAND, FinlandTELEPHONEFrom Finland: 018 636 639Orders from Finland:020 340 020From abroad:+358 18 636 641Telephone hours:Mon–Fri 9.00–16.00In July Mon–Fri 9.00–15.00FAXFrom Finland:018 636 608From abroad:+358 18 636 608INTERNETwww.posten.axNordic stamps:www.topoftheworld.nuE-MAILfrimarken@posten.axVISITING ADDRESSFlygfältsvägen10Sviby, JomalaEDITORSAnita HäggblomKatja RikbergHeidemarie ErikssonBjörn WennströmCecilia MattssonTEXTKatja RikbergTRANSLATIONKristine Lybeck SundLAYOUTCecilia MattssonPRODUCTIONPosten Åland AbWaasa GraphicsCOVER PHOTOKjell SöderlundContentsEditorial 2News 3Caroline relaxes in Åland 4Europa theme focusing on tourism 8Statue honouring seafarers 10Nostalgic architecture in booklet 13Southern Hawker and Ruddy Darter 16A pink charity stamp 18Sea-inspired Christmas 20Animals celebrating Christmas 22Smugglers’ Bus and Tired Theodore 24Calendar 26We reserve the right to change the informationcontained in this publication.

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 3NEWSJOINT ISSUE WITHBELGIUMThe Åland stamp Titanic 100 Years appears 16April. This is a joint issue with the Belgian Postwhich is also issuing a stamp commemoratingthe sinking of the Titanic. Appearing on the dayof the Åland issue is a joint commemorative cardholding both the Belgian and the Åland stamps,cancelled with the respective first day cancels.Details about the Titanic can be read on theback of the card in English, French and Dutch.The card costs €5.50 and may be ordered usingthe ordering catalogue, in the web shop or bycontacting Åland Post Stamps.DragonflybroochIn connection with the issue of the dragonflystamps in June (read more on pages 16–17), wealso offer a lovely silver/granite brooch designedlike a dragonfly. The brooch measures approx.30 mm and is delivered in a gift box. Like allprevious pieces of silver and granite jewellerysold by Åland Post, the brooch has been producedby the company Ele & Kele.Order the brooch using the form in the orderingcatalogue or place your order in the Post’s webshop. The price is €24.50.Mariehamn stamp most beautifulThe most beautiful 2011 Åland stamp hasnow been selected, and the winner is theMariehamn 150 Years miniature sheet.This stamp received a total of 607 votes. Insecond place came the two Åland Scenerystamps with 144 votes and, in third placewith 48 votes, we find the stamp focusing onthe Champagne Find. Chosen among allvoters, we congratulate the following winners:Kauko Paananen, HelsinkiRiitta Vuorinen, Espoo

4 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKENKJELL SÖDERLUNDCAROLINERELAXES IN ÅLANDSwedish artist, musician, painter, speech and singing therapistas well as choirmaster Caroline af Ugglas finds relaxation ather summer cottage in Åland. She now gives her personal viewof Åland as artist for the My Åland stamp.The My Åland stamp theme is a frequently recurringtheme offering celebrities with a connection toÅland an opportunity to illustrate their experienceand personal view of Åland. Lill Lindfors, MaunoKoivisto, Mark Levengood, Björn Borg, MarttiAhtisaari, Åke Lindman and Marcus Grönholm areall previous artists for this series of stamps. In 2012,Swedish Caroline af Ugglas is in turn.ÅLAND = PERCH“I was flattered when Åland Post stamps asked meto create a stamp. I feel as if I’m putting my cross onsomething. Kings are often used as stamp motifs,so I now almost feel like I’m royalty,” Carolinedescribes her sentiment.The motifs of the stamp, first day cover andcancel widely differ, giving a good example ofCaroline’s range of artistic skills.The stamp features a perch.“To me, perch is the quintessence of Åland. Ihardly eat anything else when I’m in Åland. Or,well”, she sheepishly admits, “I sometimes eat pikeas well.”“I even painted the stamp motif in Åland.”

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 5Last summer, Caroline af Ugglas spent part of her stay in Åland painting for her coming art tour. Her favourite motif wasshoes of various sorts.‘MR STUMBLE MAN’The first day cover illustration is a bunch of tulipsplaced in a pair of white-soled blue shoes.“These are my favourite shoes and also a merryand pleasant motif that, I find, suits the cover. Peoplewho know me will recognize me as the artist.”Caroline painted the shoe motif while visitingÅland last summer.“It is included in an art tour that has been touringin Sweden since last autumn to be concludedin April 2012. I display my work in Stockholm,Gothenburg and Malmö among other places.”On the first day cover, she has painted ‘Mr StumbleMan’, a symbol that has become her mark.“I have the very same symbol as a tattoo, as a signat home and on my car. There was no doubt in mymind when I chose it for my first day cancel.”Caroline explains the symbolism of ‘Herrsnubblar man’ (Mr Stumble Man) like this:“In society we see a great deal of signs telling uswhat we can and cannot do.”‘Mr Stumble Man’ resembles the road sign forpedestrian crossing.“‘Mr Stumble Man’ suggests that you can make

6 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKENWe never stopfishing during ourstays in Åland!KJELL SÖDERLUNDCaroline’s mark is her tattoo ‘Herrsnubblar man’ on her one forearm.The symbol recurs on the first daycancel.a mistake and get back on your feet, that you makea conscious decision to choose your own path.”ART HAS CHANGEDRecently, Caroline has been spending most of hertime on music. She came in second with the song“Snälla, snälla” when participating in the Swedishnational final for the Eurovision Song Contest.“For various reasons, I’ve been making an incredibleamount of music. At the same time, I have beendistressed that I couldn’t spend as much time as Ipreferred on painting. But, lately, I’ve stepped onthe accelerator and spent much time painting formy art tour. I love it!”Her art as well as her music have changed overthe years.“You will note an interesting difference. Somethinghappened after I had children. I matured;my music as well as my art became more decorous,appealing to a wider crowd. I’m more serious andmeticulous now, more capable, wider. I was morenaive and more punk before,” Caroline remembers,pointing out that she finds this development quitenatural and not at all surprising.DECLINED ELECTRICITYCaroline visits her cottage in Åland together withher husband Heinz Liljedahl and her childrenEddie-Lee and Otis four to five times every year.Originally, the cottage was where Heinz’ greatgrandmothergrew up.“The cottage is situated at journey’s end in theforest, by the sea. We never stop fishing when weare there. We have a privy, a water pump in theyard and no electricity. Once asked if we wantedto install electricity, we declined the offer. In theautumn and winter, we light the stove for heat andlive exactly like our people there used to do.”FERTILE AND HARMONIOUS“To me, Åland is calmness and nature. I sit in myrocking chair reading books or playing games withmy children. I sometimes paint and, now and again,I write a few lyrics,” Caroline relates.Describing Åland in three words proves to be difficultfor Caroline; she prefers to use so many more.She finally decides on three (or, in fact, four) wordswith which she feels satisfied: fertile, harmoniousand extremely picturesque. ✹

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 7297 • MY STAMPS – MY ÅLANDThe first day cancel is areplication of Caroline’stattoo ‘Herr snubblarman”’. This year, the MyÅland issue is combinedwith the My Stamps issueand therefore issued inthe form of a mini-sheet.The frame will be availableto order for customerschoosing to designtheir own stamps usingthe My Stamps service.DATE OF ISSUE4 June 2012ARTISTCaroline af UgglasDENOMINATIONInrikes (€0.95)PRICE FULL SHEET€7.60 (8 stamps)PRICE FDC€1.55SIZE OF STAMP42 x 29 mmSIZE OF SHEET145 x 105 mm8 x 1 stampsPAPER135 g/m²PRINTING METHOD4-colour offsetPRINTING HOUSEJoh. Enschedé StampsKJELL SÖDERLUNDCAROLINE AF UGGLASCaroline af Ugglas has painted her blue shoes decorated with a bunch oftulips for the first day cover. The stamp motif is a perch.Artist and painter Caroline afUgglas (born in 1972) comesfrom Stockholm. She receivedher theatrical education at CalleFlygare Theater School and hasworked as both speech and songtherapist and choirmaster. Herfirst album was released in 1997and her latest appeared in 2010.Competing in the 2009 Swedishnational selection for the EurovisionSong Contest, she came insecond. In 2010, her book ”Help,who am I?” with her therapysession notes was published. Shebegan painting at the age of ten.During her career she has developedher own form and colourscheme which she has named“Antidepressism”. She also createdthe TV show concept Clash of theChoirs, which became a successin the USA, Sweden and otherparts of the world.

8 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKENEuropa theme focusing on tourismThis year’s Europa theme is Visit, followed by the country or cityin focus on the respective Europa issue. The stamp Visit Ålandto be issued on 9 May gives a summery picture of Åland.Visit Åland is also the name of the official touristorganisation of Åland with approximately 340 members.The main function of Visit Åland is to marketÅland as a travel destination and to develop tourismin Åland together with the local hospitality industry.KOBBA KLINTAR IN THE BACKGROUNDThe logotype of Visit Åland is the Åland flag, whichreappears on the first day cancel, the back of thecover and the stamp sheet. The stamp photo wasshot at the old ‘Kobba klintar’ pilot station just outsideMariehamn. ‘Kobba klintar’ was also featuredon the 2010 Nordic miniature sheet.MANY BOATING TOURISTSTourism is an industry of great importance inÅland, and many tourists visit Åland to discoverthe islands and all they have to offer, especially inthe summer. The number of arrivals in 2010 was2 173 500 guests, including all arrivals in Åland byferry or airplane, but excluding arrivals by privateyacht. Åland is a popular destination for pleasureboats, very much thanks to its geographical locationwithin easy reach from either Sweden or main landFinland. The fairways around Åland offer plenty ofelbow room, and boating tourists can enjoy naturewith its red granite cliffs at close range.OVERNIGHT STAYS IN HOTELS AND CABINSIn 2010, a total of 169 800 hotel nights werebooked in Åland. The majority of the overnightvisitors came from Finland and Sweden, and mostof the guests visited Åland on their leisure time.In addition to hotel accommodation, renting yourown cabin for a week is very popular and so is rentinga bicycle or driving around Åland, staying for anight or two in camping sites, in your own caravanor camper or simply tenting. ✹Sources: www.visitaland.com and www.asub.ax.

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 9Visit Åland’s logo isused as first day cancel.296 • EUROPA – VISIT ÅLANDDATE OF ISSUE9 May 2012PHOTOGRAPHERJacob SaurénEDITION180 000DENOMINATIONEuropa (€0.95)PRICE FDC€1.55SIZE OF STAMP35 x 35 mmSIZE OF SHEET2 x 15 stampsPERFORATION13 per 2 cmPAPER102 g/m²PRINTING METHOD4-colour offsetPRINTING HOUSEJoh. Enschedé StampsVarious tourist photos on the first day cover illustrate the diversity of Åland.The logo of Visit Åland can be seen on the back.JACOB SAURÉNPhotographer Jacob Saurén(born in 1980) comes from Ålandand is a qualified electrician fromÅland’s Vocational School. Hehas also studied economics andmarketing at Åland University ofApplied Sciences. He previouslyworked as a salesperson at thephoto department of Stockmannin Helsinki and, for the last fiveyears, he has worked as photographerfor the local newspaperÅlandstidningen. This is Jacob’sfirst stamp for Åland Post Stamps.The photos used on the first day cover reappear in combination with the VisitÅland logo on the gutter of the stamp sheet.

10 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN295 • THE MAN AT THE WHEELDATE OF ISSUE26 April 2012PHOTOGRAPHERRobert JanssonENGRAVERLars SjööblomEDITION180 000DENOMINATION€3.00PRICE FDC€3.60SIZE OF STAMP27 x 41.67 mmSIZE OF SHEET2 x 16 stampsPAPER98 g/m²PERFORATION13 per 2 cmPRINTING METHODCombination printing4-colour offsetPRINTING HOUSEPosten SverigeThe first day cancel depictsthe barque Thomas Perryon which Johan EdvardSundström went down.A black print with theseparate engraving hasbeen produced.The edition is 2000 andthe price is €15.ROBERT JANSSONPhotographer Robert Jansson(born in 1965) runs his own companyRobert’s Photo. For some 18years, he has worked as photographer,filmmaker and televisioneditor as well as with advertisingand product photography, press/news and photo documentation.Cooperating with news paperssuch as Finnish Helsingin Sanomat,Swedish Aftonbladet as well asNew York Times, he has alsoaccepted filming commissionsfrom both Discovery Channel andseveral Nordic TV stations. Roberthas previously created the 2004Åland flag stamp and photographedthe originals for severalother Åland stamps.The stamp engraving decorates the gutter pair strip, and an illustration of thesea has been used as background for the first day cover.

12 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKENKJELL SÖDERLUNDCombination printing was thetechnique used for the stamp'The Man at the Wheel’The engraving created by Swedish engraver LarsSjööblom is based upon a photograph by RobertJansson. Lars also engraved one of the 2008 Lighthousestamps.Lars Sjööblom shows his engraving to another well-knownstamp artist, Juha Pykäläinen.ERECTED IN THE WESTERN HARBOUR‘The man at the Wheel’ monument was unveiledin the Western Harbour of Mariehamn on July 31,1936. First erected in the English Park, the statuewas moved in the mid-1950s, because the Midsummercelebrations were considered to dishonourthe statue. Today, it stands near the MaritimeMuseum, and many people visit the statue to paytheir respects on All Saints’ Day every year.COMBINATION PRINT ON STAMPEngraved stamps may be printed using two differenttypes of techniques, recess or combination printing.The Man at the Wheel stamp was printed usingthe combination technique, which means that theengraved parts of the stamp were printed using therecess technique and the rest of the motif in offset.UNIQUE GRAPHIC SHEETA unique graphic sheet of the issue ‘The Man at theWheel’ has also been produced. Printed in a limitededition of only 300, each sheet is individuallynumbered and signed by engraver Lars Sjööblom.The Intaglio hand print is created sheet by sheetin a hand printing press. Very high quality paperis essential in producing these fine graphic sheets.The sheet measures 151 x 205 mm. The price ofa graphic sheet is based upon your Club Ålandmembership level. Gold customers pay €50, Silvercustomers €60 and Bronze customers €70.BLACK PRINTA so-called black print of the issue ‘The Man at theWheel’ will also be available in a limited edition of2 000. With the same size as the stamp, the blackprint shows only the engraving, i.e. without thebackground photograph. The price is €15/print.The previous black print offered by Åland Postproved to be very popular, so be certain to placeyour order already today! ✹JAN-ERIK ANDERSSONLARS SJÖÖBLOMEngraver Lars Sjööblom (born in 1956) has been employed by the Swedish Post since 1983. Hehas attended Bergh’s School of Communication and completed a special course for engraversat the School of Art. One of Lars’ specialities is animals, a motif with which he has worked agreat deal. This is Lars Sjööblom’s second stamp for Åland Post.

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 13Nostalgic architecture in bookletThis year’s booklet represents high level nostalgia! The three stamps featurememorable and beloved buildings all to be found in Mariehamn in past times.Former town architect Folke Wickström has drawn the motifs.The first stamp shows the Badhotellet (spa hotel).Launched as a spa resort at the end of the 1800s,Mariehamn was to become one of the most modernresorts in Europe by the turn of the century. Theconcept was to spend the days in comfortable idlenessand the evenings in merry social company, tocombine pleasures and health treatments prescribedby the in-house doctor.to be jerry-built, constructed as it was of coccolithwallboard, a forerunner of modern day drywalls. The walls lacked insulation, so the hotel wasdraughty and cold but, at the same time, modernand lavishly fitted out, which highly impressed theguests. Designed by architects Lars Sonck, BertelJung and Oscar Bomanson, the three-storied buildingmeasured 50 x 20 meters and had 30 rooms.MARIEHAMN’S LARGEST HOTELAt the turn of the 20 th century, the establishmentwas at its largest with facilities for hot baths andswimming, a restaurant with assembly room, a medicalcentre, a gymnasium, a doctor’s house and a spahotel. However, it was run at a loss from day oneuntil the end. Maintaining the enormous woodenstructures swallowed up money as continuousrepairs were required. Inaugurated in 1900 as thelargest hotel in Mariehamn, the Badhotel provedBURNT IN 1916As World War I broke out, the end of the 1914 seasonalso saw the end of the spa era. The hotel burntdown to the ground in February 1916 as Russiansoldiers quartered in the building, probably due toan overheated heater.HOTEL, RESTAURANT AND TOWN HALLOriginally, Societetshuset (a club house generallyknown as Socis) was a school building that was

14 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKENAlso available are three specialsheets illustrating the varioussteps of the printing process.Each sheet shows the colourseparation of one of the stampswith technical details printed onthe back of the sheet. A set ofthree sheets costs €30.dismantled and moved to Mariehamn in 1870.From the start, the building served as a hotel, townhall and restaurant. Club houses in Finland hada different purpose than those in Sweden. After1809, they became popular in Finland as venues foraccommodation and evening dances for the higherbourgeoisie. In 1900, two detached wings designedby county architect Helge Rancken were added toSocis. One wing housed a two-storied hotel complex,the other housed the town hall and an assembly hall,occupied by the Åland assembly from 1922 to 1939.COMMANDEERED BY THE MILITARY FORCESDuring Socis’ more than 100 years of existenceit had several periods of golden days and manydifferent owners. In the 1930s, it housed a popularcoffee room, and masquerades and soirées were heldregularly. Commandeered by the Finnish militaryforces in 1941, Socis revived to experience a newseason of palmy days after the conclusion of peace,with various types of festivities being arrangedyear round. Åland Tourist Association applied forpermission to build a large complex of hotels on theSocis site in 1956, as the provincial authorities wereplanning a legislative building at the same time.DEMOLISHED IN 1975In 1970, the town released a site of 28 800 m² to beused for the erection of a government building, amuseum and a hotel. Regardless of many protests,the demolition of Socis was carried through in June1975, the then town architect and current stampartist Folke Wickström being one of the protesters.SOLDIERS’ CASINO TWICEDesigned by architect Fritjof Strandell, Miramarwas erected in 1890 as a summer house for NicolaiNyström, son-in-law of Nicolai Sittkoff, a wellknowntradesman in Åland. As a summer residencefor the Helsinki couple Nicolai and Elisabeth, it wasthe very first house in town to have a bathroom.Commandeered by soldiers during both WorldWars, first by the Russians and later by the Finns,Miramar was turned into a soldiers’ gambling home.GUEST HOUSE MIRAMARMathilda Rotz bought the house in 1919. Runo andLinda, her son and daughter-in-law, moved intothe house the following year to use it as permanentresidence. A few years later, Linda pioneered a newtype of accommodation inclusive of meals andfamily board, opening Miramar for tourists as a bedand breakfast guest house. In the 1930s, the houseserved as a dance palace and meeting place and waslater to become a restaurant.DEMOLISHED IN 1973The restaurant was let out when Linda Rotz died in1962. When the authorities performed inspectionsof Miramar 10 years later, it found inadequate firesecurity as well as spa and sanitary defects. The lastguests left Miramar in December 1972, and thehouse was demolished in October 1973.✹Sources: www.mariehamn.ax and "Boken om Mariehamn” byFolke Wickström and Jerker Örjans.

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 15The first day cancelshows a T-square anda drafting compass.300 • ARCHITECTURALNOSTALGIADATE OF ISSUE23 August 2012ARTISTFolke WickströmWhen Societetshusetwas to be demolished,moving the buildingto the Wirén Park wasproposed. The proposedlocation is illustrated onthe cover.EDITION95 000 bookletsDENOMINATIONVärlden (9 x €1.00)PRICE FDC€3.60SIZE OF STAMP52 x 23.83 mmSIZE OF BOOKLET176 x 56 mmPERFORATION14 per 2 cmPAPER110 g/m 2PRINTING METHOD4-colour offsetPRINTING HOUSEÖsterreichische StaatsdruckereiThree maximum cards featuringBadhotellet, Societets huset andMiramar also appear in August.The first day cover illustration is the Badhotel, viewed from a different anglethan the stamp motif.FOLKE WICKSTRÖMFolke Wickström (born in 1939) isan architect from the Institute ofTechnology in Helsinki (1966) witha supplementary education inArchitectural Conservation from theSchool of Architecture in Stockholm(1990). He worked as a generalplan architect in Helsinki andas town architect in Mariehamn1974–2005. Some of his worksare the Archipelago Museum inLappo, the Hunting and FishingMuseum in Eckerö, the Brudhällhotel in Kökar as well as businesshouses, daycare centres and privatehouses. He has taken part in anumber of joint exhibitions andpublished the Mariehamn Book togetherwith Jerker Örjans in 2011.Folke also created the 1989 stamp’Mariehamn Town Hall’ and twoarchitecture stamps (in 2000).

18 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN303 • PINK RIBBONDATE OF ISSUE1 October 2012ARTISTCarina SommarströmEDITION180 000DENOMINATION€1.00 + €0.20PRICE FDC€1.80SIZE OF STAMP31.5 x 36.25 mmSIZE OF SHEET2 x 15 stampsPAPER102 g/m²PERFORATION13 per 2 cmPRINTING METHOD4-colour offsetPRINTING HOUSEJoh. Enschedé StampsSome of the symbols appearing in the woman’s tattoo reappear on the gutterof the sheet. Each symbol has a specific meaning; for example, the symbolcombining the snake and the sigma sign signifies that the sum of two parts isgreater than the whole.CARINA SOMMARSTRÖMGraphic designer CarinaSommarström (born in 1967)received her education in newspaperdesign at Bergh’s Schoolof Communication in Stockholm.Her previous engagementsinclude work for the marketingdepartment of the Bank of Ålandand the inhouse advertisingagencies of various printinghouses. Running her ownadvertising business since 1997,she has previously operated theagency McArena and currentlyruns the agency Samba Media.This is Carina’s first stamp forÅland Post. However, when askedto create a personalized stampfor a robot conference held inÅland in 2007, Carina used theMy Stamps option in the ÅlandPost web shop to do so.The stamp motif holds a great deal of symbolism. The firstday cover and the first day cancel were not ready at the timeof printing this magazine. They will both be presented onthe Post’s homepage and in the next edition of Ålandspostenfrimärken.ÅLAND POST AND THE PINK RIBBONEach year, the Åland Cancer Society raises money as part of theinternational campaign distinguished by the pink awareness ribbon.All funds that are raised in Åland are used for the benefit of localcancer patients. In 2012, Åland Post actively takes part in the collectionof funds on behalf of the pink awareness ribbon. The Post’sefforts will be noticeable in a number of ways. Details about thePost’s fund raising efforts will be published at www.posten.ax and incoming editions of Ålandsposten frimärken.

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 19A pink charity stampIn many parts of the world, October is pink. This is the month when variousorganisations arrange fundraising activities to benefit breast cancer researchand to promote awareness about the disease. 2012 sees the first Åland charitystamp. The Åland Cancer Society receives part of the selling price.The stamp is issued in connection with the PinkRibbon awareness campaign in October. Ålanddesigner Carina Sommarström, previously a breastcancer patient herself, has created the stamp. Readmore about her at www.posten.ax.PINK RIBBON PRODUCTS FOR SALEThe Åland charity stamp sells at €1.20, €0.20 ofwhich is awarded to the Åland Cancer Society infull. Also available on the day of issue are other PinkRibbon products such as postcards, pins with thepink ribbon logo, a pink model car and a stampwatch. Even more products will appear in the Post’sweb shop at www.posten.ax in October. A specifiedpercentage of the selling prices of these products willbe donated directly to the Åland Cancer Society.FUNDS ARE RAISED OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARSAt the end of 2012, Åland Post calculates the totalsum raised and donates the amount to the ÅlandCancer Society. An additional amount will beawarded at the end of 2013 for sales during thatyear. The series of charity stamps continues in 2013when funds will be raised for the benefit of the BlueRibbon awareness campaign (prostate cancer).A FORCEFUL AMAZONCarina’s stamp motif holds a great deal of symbolism.Featuring an amazon, a female warrior without herright breast, it symbolizes Carina’s perception of herselfafter she was diagnosed with cancer. The symbolhas helped her and given her strength. The spear heldby the woman is in fact a stick used by breast cancerpatients in connection with their rehabilitation, andthe spearhead is a symbol created by Carina on behalfof her networking group Warriors of Light.FOOD, LOVE AND SLEEPInstead of the woman’s right breast we see a tattoowith many different symbols representing importantissues to consider when going through cancertreatment: food, music, dancing, animals, laughter,friends, love, the sun and sleep. At www.posten.ax, wehave listed the various symbols and their meanings. ✹

20 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN304 • CHRISTMAS 2012The first day canceldepicts a skate.DATE OF ISSUE9 October 2012ARTISTMinna L. ImmonenEDITION350 000DENOMINATIONJulpost (€0.60)PRICE FDC€1.20SIZE OF STAMP35.4 x 26 mmSIZE OF SHEET2 x 20 stampsPAPER110 g/m²PERFORATION13 per 2 cmPRINTING METHOD4-colour offsetPRINTING HOUSECartor Security PrintingMINNA L. IMMONENOn the first day cover, Minna has painted three bullfinches on a pile of parcels,symbolizing the arrival of Christmas mail.Artist Minna L. Immonen (bornin 1964) from Oulunsaloqualified as a graphic designerin Rovaniemi, northern Finland,and has attended classes atindependent art schools inLapland and Liminka (Finland).She now runs her own companyMinna-Kortti that publishes cards,calendars and paintings. Thisis Minna’s first stamp for ÅlandPost. She is also the artist behindthis year’s Christmas seals.The gutter pair strip is decorated by Minna L. Immonen’s Christmassy illustrations.

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 21Sea-inspired ChristmasFinnish 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 sincechildhood, focusing on painting since her seniorschool days. Having completed an education as agraphic designer and attended various art schools,she started her own company Minna-Kortti in the1980s. Minna’s watercolour paintings are todayfamiliar to large parts of the Finnish population,her illustrations distinguishing themselves by theindividual story told by each illustration.REMEMBERS CHRISTMAS STAMP EXHIBITIONFor Post Finland, Minna has previously createdthe 2000 Valentine’s Day stamps and the 2009Christmas stamps. Since 1980, she has taken part invarious types of exhibitions all over Finland.“I especially remember the 2009 Christmasstamp exhibition,” Minna reveals.CHINAWARE AND CHOCOLATE BOXESIn addition to cards, stamps and paintings, Minnahas designed Chinaware for Arabia of Finland,including a children’s series with teddy bears andChristmas mugs and jars with traditional Christmasdesigns such as pixies, apples and gingerbreadbiscuits and the cover of a Fazer’s chocolate box in2008. She has also illustrated a number of books.PREFERS CHRISTMAS MOTIFSMinna describes the Christmas stamp in this way:“Inspired by the sea, the motif still has a Christmassyaccent. The motif on the first day coversymbolizes the arrival of Christmas mail.”She paints many different types of motifs, butprefers Christmas motifs.“I enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.”She celebrates a traditional Finnish Christmas, athome with her family.SUBSCRIBE TO POSTCARDSMinna has also created the 2012 Christmas sealsto be described in detail in our next magazine.The stamp is also available in the form of a postcard.Åland postcards will be available on standingorder subscription as of this year. To order, simplycomplete and return the coupon in the orderingcatalogue. ✹

22 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKENAnimals celebrating ChristmasThe 2012 postal stationery cards appear in time for Christmas. Designedby artist Alexander Lindén, the funny and different motifs of the cardsare well suited for both Christmas cards and winter greetings.Alexander has designed four animals celebratingChristmas in various ways. The first card shows aroe in a knitted sweater, sitting in a chair readingwhile enjoying a cup of hot chocolate or, perhaps,mulled wine. A small fox relaxes by the chair, andthe scenery is highlighted by the shining moon.HARE IN A HOT TUBLeaving its tracks in the snow, a hare has jumpedinto the hot tub shown on the fourth and last card.With a box of carrots within reach, it is very contentto relax in the hot water. The sea, the archipelagoand a Christmas tree on a rock sets the background.PIKE DRESSED IN CARDIGANThe motif of another card takes us below the icewhere we find a merry pike, dressed in a warm,green cardigan. Further down swims a chubbiertype of fish, also dressed in a warm sweater. Someonealso let down a Christmas star on a fishing linethrough a jig hole in the ice.THREE SQUIRRELS DANCING IN A RINGThe third card shows us three merry squirrels dancingin a ring around a tree decorated with Christmasbaubles, tinsel and a star at the top. Dressedin warming cardigans, the squirrels all seem to behappy and enjoying themselves.ALL ANIMALS ARE HAPPYThe common feature of the four card designs is that theanimals all seem to be merry and enjoying themselves.The cards are therefore perfect to send as a greetingto your friends and acquaintances regardsless of season!All postal stationery cards are issued with a postagepaidsymbol and may be posted from Åland to anydestination in the world without additional postage.SUBSCRIBE TO POSTAL STATIONERYStart a subscription for postal stationery by completingthe coupon in the ordering catalogue. Theannual issue of postal stationery cards is 3–4, thetheme changing each year. ✹

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 23The postage paid symbolis a snowball lantern.POSTAL STATIONERY CARDS,ANIMALS CELEBRATINGCHRISTMASDATE OF ISSUE9 October 2012ARTISTAlexander LindénEDITION4 x 8 000PRICE€1.90 / card€7.60 / set of 4 cardsSIZE105 x148 mmPAPERChromocard 240 gPRINTING METHOD4-colour offsetPRINTING HOUSEArkmediaJOHN HÄGGBLOMALEXANDER LINDÉNAlexander Lindén has designedanimals celebrating Christmas invarious ways, the common featureof the designs being that the animalsall seem happy and pleased.Born in 1980 and raised inVårdö, Åland, Alexander nowlives in Sollefteå, Sweden. He hasstudied Creative Programmingat the University in Gävle wherehe also completed the VisualNarrative programme. He alsostudied at the Basis School of Art.He has worked for video gamedeveloper Grin in Stockholm andfor gaming provider Paf in Åland,designing game graphics. Since2008, he freelances for variousemployers. For Åland PostStamps he recently created the2011 Christmas decorations andexhibition cards. In addition tothe 2012 postal stationery cards,he has also designed the twostamps featuring buses issued inSeptember this year.

24 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN301 AND 302 • BUSES:VOLVO L224 AND FORD TTDATE OF ISSUE19 September 2012ARTISTAlexander LindénEDITION2 x 180 000DENOMINATIONSInrikes (€0.95) (Volvo L224)Europa (€0.95) (Ford TT)PRICE FDC€2.50SIZE OF STAMPS38.5 x 30 mmSIZE OF SHEETS2 x 15 stampsPAPER102 g/m²PERFORATION13 per 2 cmPRINTING METHOD4-colour offsetPRINTING HOUSESouthern Colour printThe first day cancelshows a tire from aFord TT.JOHN HÄGGBLOMALEXANDER LINDÉNBorn in 1980 and raised inVårdö, Åland, Alexander nowlives in Sollefteå, Sweden. He hasstudied Creative Programmingat the University in Gävle wherehe also completed the VisualNarrative programme. He alsostudied at the Basis School of Art.He has worked for video gamedeveloper Grin in Stockholmand for gaming provider Paf inÅland, designing game graphics.Since 2008, he freelances forvarious employers. For ÅlandPost Stamps he has created the2011 Christmas decorations andexhibition cards. In addition tothe bus stamps, he has recentlyalso designed the 2012 postalstationery cards on a Christmastheme to be issued in October.The stamp photo shows the Ford TT parked at the mail jetty in Eckerö with thePost & Customs House in the background. The motif is based upon a pictureshowing the Martha women from Eastern Saltvik on an excursion.The first day cover is illustrated by a Scania Vabis B55 from 1962.

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 25Smugglers’ bus and Tired TheodorThe history of public transportation in Åland started some 90 yearsago. Quite a few buses have rolled on the Åland roads since then. Twostamps now feature two of them – a Ford TT and a Volvo L224.The Ford TT from 1924 was initially owned byRafael Virtanen in Saltvik. Together with twofriends, he built the truck body himself andprocured the chassis and engine from Turku. Withhood, it then cost 28 000 Finnish mark. A presscutting from the newspaper Åland, 16 June 1924,informs that Saltvik’s Traffic Autobus departs fromdifferent locations in northern Åland to Mariehamnthree mornings a week to return in the afternoons.CRAYFISH WERE LIQUORThe nickname ‘Smugglers’ bus’ derives from anincident in August 1925, when it was illegal inFinland to sell alcoholic beverages (the Prohibition).One night, the bus, its passenger and driver RafaelVirtanen were stopped in a small road in Saltvik bya police constable, the head of the enforcement districtand the county sheriff, who had been notifiedthat Algoth Niska, a locally well-known bootlegger,was in the district. Rafael Virtanen attempted torun from the authorities, but the sheriff managed toenter the bus and stop it. The driver then claimedthat he was carrying crayfish but, upon confiscation,the “crayfish” proved to be quite a few cans of liquor.The case was treated in the district court twice, MrVirtanen and his partner being sentenced to pay afine for complicity in trickery with liquors. The busas well as the liquor was confiscated.BUS ALTERED INTO TRUCKThe decision to confiscate the bus was repealedby Turku Court of Appeal in April 1929 but, bythen, the bus had already been taken out of servicebecause of its poor condition. Records show that itwas registered as a truck already in 1926.TIRES CHANGEDThe other bus stamp shows a Volvo L224 from1954. It had 29 + 1 seats and was owned by ToivoWilliams in Lumparland between 1954 and 1967.

26 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKENTired Theodore got its nicknamebecause of its weak engineThe bus was out of use until 1978, parked in a coachhouse in Lumparland. When taken into use again,the bus could strangely enough be started withoutany problems. The only action needed to be takenwas the changing of two tires; new tires, on the otherhand, proved difficult to acquire, since the correctdimension was no longer in use.INSPECTED AS VINTAGEPainted at the coachwork factory outside Turku, thebus was later displayed at various shows in Stockholmand Helsinki. From 1978 to 1994, it was owned bythe bus operating company Bussbolaget Williams &Co. and later by Williams Buss Ab until 1999, whenit was inspected to operate as a classic bus. The busis currently owned by Roland and Rolf Lundströmin Inkoo in southern Finland.SEATS EXCHANGEDSold in 2000, it regained its original registrationplate number ÅL-419. The bus is today used invarious connections. The old leather seats have beenexhanged, but the back of the seats and the rest ofthe interior fittings remain in the original condition.WEAK ENGINEThe bus was nicknamed Tired Theodore becauseof its weak 90 horsepower engine. Presumably, thevehicle was not meant for quite as heavy loads as itturned out to carry. From the very beginning, TiredTheodore was a truck chassis with the bodywork ofa bus added to it.OLDEST ROADWORTHY BUSArtist Alexander Lindén has featured a Scania VabisB55 with a 5-cutter body from1962 on the first daycover. Originally owned by Georg Wilhelmsson, thebus had room for 36 + 1 passengers. From 1976 to1978, it was owned by newly founded bus operatingcompany Vårdö Busstrafik Ab. Today, it is owned byBo Meklin in Sund and has regained its original attirein green and yellow. The bus has been parked in ashelter in Sund for more than 30 years, but the ownerchecks the oil and tires and run the engine every year.Despite the fact that it is now unregistered, the bus istoday the oldest roadworthy bus in Åland. ✹Sources: Vidar Williams and ”Ålands busshistoria” by BoAhlnäs.The process of creating a stamp always starts with the artist’s outline which is later adapted, resulting in a finishedstamp. The above illustrations show different phases of the process with the bus motif ‘Tired Theodore’.

ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN • 272012 issuesCALENDAR1 February Wooden duck decoys, Eider Postal label, frama1 February Passenger ferries 2 stamps, 2 postcards21 March Nordic – Life at Sea 1 miniature sheet, 1 postcard16 April Titanic 100 years 1 stamp26 April The Man at the Wheel 1 stamp9 May Europa – Visit Åland 1 stamp, 1 postcard4 June My Stamps – My Åland Mini-sheet of 8 stamps, 1 motif, 1 postcard4 June Dragonflies 2 stamps, 2 maximum cards23 August Architectural nostalgia Booklet, 3 x 3 motifs, 3 maximum cards19 September Buses 2 stamps, 2 postcards1 October Pink Ribbon 1 stamp9 October Christmas 1 stamp, 1 postcard9 October Postal stationery Christmas 4 postal stationery cards9 October Christmas seals Sheet of 20 self-adhesive sealsDeliveries and deadlines (NOTE! PRELIMINARY TIMES OF DELIVERY)DELIVERYNUMBERDEADLINE SUBS.CHANGES DELIVERY CONTENTS1-2012 29 February April Postal labels, Passenger ferries, Nordic – Life atSea (miniature sheet), Titanic 100 years,3 postcards2-2012 2 May June The Man at the Wheel, Europa – Visit Åland,My Stamps – My Åland, Dragonflies,2 maximum cards, 2 postcards3-2012 5 September October Architectural nostalgia (booklet), Buses,Christmas, 3 maximum cards, 4 postalstationery cards, Pink Ribbon, 3 postcards4-2012 24 October November Year Sets, packs, year pages, Christmas sealsand decorations etc.Other subscription deliveries (NOTE! PRELIMINARY TIMES OF DELIVERY)PRODUCT DELIVERY PRODUCT DELIVERYÅland provincial coin 2011 January 2012 euro coin set MayPassenger ferries, collector’s sheets February Stamp watch no. 10 JuneNordic Set March Model van no. 26 SeptemberModel van no. 25 April Stamp watch no. 11 October

28 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKENCALENDAR2012 ExhibitionsÅland Post Stamps takes part in the exhibitions listed below. The list is not final and additions oralterations may be made. A complete and updated list of exhibitions is available at www.posten.ax.HUDDEX/FRIMUNG 2012 TAVASTEX 2012 STAMPS IN SVEDALA NORDIA 2012Huddinge, Sweden Hämeenlinna, Finland Svedala, Sweden Roskilde, Denmark3–4 March27–29 April8–9 September2–4 NovemberTURUN KEVÄT DIE LIBA 2012 NORDPOST BEIJING 2012Turku, FinlandSchaan, Liechtenstein Hamburg, Germany Beijing, China10–11 March16–19 August28–30 September Date not setINT. BRIEFMARKENMESSE FRIMÄRKETS DAG INT. BRIEFMARKENBÖRSEEssen, GermanyStockholm, Sweden Sindelfingen, Germany,12–14 AprilDate not set28–30 OctoberAn exhibition card, cancellation and stamp will be available at all the above exhibitions. The 2012theme is the coat of arms of each city we visit. Artist is Jonas Wilén.2012 Special cancellationsThe following 2012 events have, so far, been issued with special cancellations:30.3 ÅLAND PEACE INSTITUT 20 YEARS 6.10 PINK RIBBON GALA4.6 DRAGONFLIES (MAXIMUM CARDS) 9.10 STAMP DAY9.6 ÅLAND AUTONOMY 90 YEARS 12.10 MARTHA ASSOCIATION, ÅLAND DISTRICT 100 YEARS16.6 POSTAL BOAT RACE 9.11 THE ÅLAND DEMENTIA ASSOCIATION 20 YEARS23.8 ARCHITECTURAL NOSTALGIA(MAXIMUM CARDS)Additions to the above list may be made. In that case, they will be listed in the next edition of thismagazine and announced at www.posten.ax, where illustrations of the special cancellations canalso be viewed.Holiday closingÅland Post Stamps is closed on the following public holidays:ASCENSION DAYMIDSUMMER EVE17 May 22 JuneNext magazineThe next edition of Ålandsposten Frimärken will be dispatched in November 2012.