Newsletter Stampworld: Great Norden Stamps

[filatelie]

As you might have heard, 2020 was the final year of issuance of the common themed Norden stamps. Although it is always sad to see these familiar cooperations come to an end, let us use the chance to remember all the great stamps that were issued.  The Norden issue, or the Nordic issue as it is also known, started as a cooperation between five Northern European postal services, and the joint issues were proposed in 1951, with the first joint issue coming in 1956 - Five swans in flight. Shown below are the Danish and Swedish stamps. The first issue was truly a common issue, as all five postal services issued the same stamp, with the only difference being the country of issuance and the denomination. This tradition was continued up until 1980, where the first set of commonly themed stamps were issued.  In 1991, the number of members increased from 5 to 8, which was true up until the end, last year. The common and well-known logo for the Norden series, is a post horn made of five horns, and it has been part of the series since the 1970's. Since 2020 was the final year of issuance, we have highlighted some of our favorite stamps from the final issue. And looking at the 2020 Norden stamps, with the common theme Mammals, one stamp in particular stands out - this one from Norway.  This stamp focuses on the Killer Whale, which is primarily found in the waters around Antarctica, but which can also be found in the waters surrounding Norway. The photographer Audun Rikardsen has taken the magnificent picture above, showing a Killer Whale in the water, while simultaneously depicting a ship on the water, and the beautiful sky in the background - the difference is quite stunning, and results in a stamp that is truly a work of art. The stamp an be found at Nordfrim, where you can get it for only EUR 4. It is also available in a mint booklet, which can be yours for only EUR 41. The contrast in style is evident, when we move on to the 2020 Norden stamps from Greenland. These stamps, depicting Musk oxen and wallrusses respectively, are created by Miki Jacobsen, and although they seem simple, the level of detail is actually quite impressive. The two Greenlandic stamps, sold by Nordfrim, can be yours at the bargain price of EUR 4.  The Danish issue in 2020 consisted of five stamps, each depicting a mammal native to Denmark. A common thread for all of the mammals depicted on the Danish stamps is, that all of them fall in the category of Least Concern, when it comes to their population status.  The stamps depict a deer, a European Hedgehog, a black squirrel, a hazel dormouse, and a stoat, and they are all depicted in the wild. Keeping the background of the stamp completely white, allows for the depicted animal to stand out exceptionally well. The mint sheet above, can be found at Nordfrim, where you can get it for only EUR 13. You can also get a beautiful FDC with the five stamps on, for only EUR 9.  The 2020 Norden stamp from Åland certainly also stands out - the stamp is focusing on bats, and stamp is a combination of spooky darkness and cartoonish joy. The Åland stamp is not very traditional, but that might be exactly why we like it - it doesn't care about conventions, and brings a smile to us, in these trying times. Apart from that, it is cheap! At less than EUR 2 for the stamp, it is one of the more affordable options. You can buy it directly from Nordfrim.  One of the biggest new in philately in 2020 was, that Iceland has decided to stop issuing stamps, and that 2020 would be the final year of issuance. This was bad news for collectors of Icelandic stamps, as Iceland has a knack for creating impressive stamps. The 2020 Norden stamp is no different - the stamp depicts a mink in the wild.  Although the mink might primarily be known for its use in fur production, the small animal is quite beautiful, when seen in the wild, with its short but thick fur and its elongated body. Even if this wasn't the last issue of Norden stamps, and it wasn't the end of Icelandic stamps as a whole, we would still love this stamp - but the finality of the current situation makes it even more alluring. And you can get this wonderful stamp at Nordfrim, for less than EUR 3 right now! And don't forget the Faroe Islands beautiful stamp featuring a baby seal, the Finnish squirrel and hedgehog, or the wonderful Swedish issue!   If you are thinking "that's all great, but I collect fish, so I don't care", you are in luck - we decided to include a few of our favorite 2018 Norden stamps as well - all focusing on aquatic wildlife. Great 2018 Norden Stamps: https://xur31.mjt.lu/img/xur31/b/58v0r/g7l4s.jpeg" width="550" class="CToWUd a6T" tabindex="0" /> Denmark - Norden 2018 Fish - FDC - Only 9 EUR! Denmark - Norden 2018 Fish - Mint souvenir sheet - Only 16 EUR! Greenland - Norden 2018 Fish - Mint stamps - Only 6 EUR! Greenland - Norden 2018 Fish - Mint souvenir sheet - Only 4 EUR! Sweden - Norden 2018 Fish - Mint stamp - Only 2 EUR! Sweden - Norden 2018 Fish - Mint booklet - Only 10 EUR! Sweden - Norden 2018 Fish - FDC - Only 16 EUR! Åland - Norden 2018 Fish - Mint stamp - Only 3 EUR! Åland - Norden 2018 Fish - Mint gutterpair - Only 7 EUR!