On May 9, Posti will publish Finland 100 - The Faces of Finland, a stamp sheet consisting of photos featuring faces, as well as the legendary graphic designer Erik Bruun's Arctica, featuring migratory birds on a miniature sheet as well as sheets of €0.10 and €0.20 stamps.
Posti ran a campaign in fall 2016 to collect photos of faces from the public for a special stamp publication to mark Finland's centenary of independence. The thousands of photos come together like a mosaic to form different stamps, which are positioned on the sheet in the form of the map of Finland. Each stamp and booklet will be unique.
"These stamps are worth a close look, as receivers and senders might spot their own face or the faces of acquaintances on them," says Tommi Kantola, Design Manager at Posti.
The stamps were designed by graphic designer Klaus Welp, with the advertising agency Bob the Robot responsible for their technical implementation. To Posti's knowledge, this method of stamp design and production has never been used before.
The Finland 100 - The Faces of Finland booklet contains ten domestic no-value indicator stamps (unit price €1.30). A total of 60,000 booklets have been printed. Their release is part of the official Finland 100 program by the Prime Minister's Office.
The masterly work of legendary graphic designer Erik Bruun can be seen in an upcoming set of three separate stamp publications. The Arctica miniature sheet features migratory birds that nest in the North. Arctica refers to the migration of birds that nest in the Arctic region, a phenomenon that is eagerly watched by bird enthusiasts on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, especially in the spring.
The miniature sheet contains two domestic no-value indicator stamps and two added value stamps worth €0.10 and €0.20. In addition, both added value stamps will be published on separate sheets of fifteen stamps.
The birds featured on the stamps include two species of waterfowl: The €0.10 stamp portrays the long-tailed duck, which has been classified as a vulnerable species. The €0.20 stamp features the velvet scoter, an endangered species. It is thought that climate change has led to a sharp decline in the breeding rate of birds by affecting their food supply.
The domestic no-value indicator stamps (unit price €1.30) feature the brant and the barnacle goose, both of which migrate to the North in large numbers in May. The barnacle goose is a familiar bird to many, as these days it can also be found nesting in southern Finland.
Having recently turned 91, Erik Bruun remains an active artist. Last year, he illustrated the chanterelle stamp featured in Posti's Edible Mushrooms stamp booklet as well as the €0.50 Sulka stamp.
Illustrated by Jaana Aalto, a postcard designer known for her natural themes, the Wings of Thoughts stamp was first published on February 26, 2016. The stamp has now been updated to correspond to the current postage fee and it has been on sale since March 11, 2017. Printed condolences and other letter items weighing under 100 grams are in Finland with a EUR 2.00 stamp.
All stamps available for sale are featured in Posti’s online shop: www.posti.fi/goshopping.
