ǺLAND – EUROPA – Stories and Myths

The Europa theme for 2022 is Stories and Myths and the Finnish archipelago of Ǻland has chosen the female water nymph known as the sjörå from their folklore. Known as the Mistress of the Sea, she appears as shown on the stamp from the front but from behind she is a hollow stump. Very similar to the mermaid, she keeps a pike as a pet, has livestock and spends quite a bit of time cleaning her copper pots and pans by the waterside. The €2.30 stamp by artist Lasse Harkkala was issued on May 9. The tabs show some of the livestock of sjörå. Available from here. 

AUSTRALIA – Australian Legend Award

Five award-winning directors on March 15 were named recipients of the 2022 Australia Post Australian Legends Award. As Australia Post states, they “have entertained and moved audiences with their cinematic creations, raising the profile of Australian filmmaking in the process. They have brought impactful Australian and international stories to life across a range of genres.” The five are Gillian Armstrong, whose career spanned more than 40 years and 20 films; Baz Luhrmann, renowned as a producer, writer and director in music, film, television, opera and theater; George Miller, whose Mad Max films have been among the great action movies since 1979; Warwick Thornton, whose impactful films showcase Indigenous issues and perspectives to both critical and popular acclaim; and Peter Weir, the recipient of some 60 awards and nominations for his films. The stamps are available from here.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – International Day of Sport 

Golf, one of the world’s oldest and most popular sports, was chosen to represent the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on a pair of €1,10 setenant stamps from Croatian Post Mostar. Issued on April 6, the designs by Manlio Napoli show an iron lined up against a golf ball on the left stamp and a golf ball on the edge of a hole on the other. The ‘O’ in GOLF is represented by the golf ball. The stamps were released in sheets of eight, four of each, with a tab showing a combination of the two stamps. The stamps can be purchased online here.

CANADA – Organ and Tissue Donation

Canada Post’s latest Permanent domestic rate stamp is printed in shades of green, the official colors of organ and tissue donations. The booklet of 10 was issued April 7 to “help raise awareness about the ability to ‘give life’ through organ and tissue donation.” The center design shows two figures in the shape of a heart with their hands holding glowing stars to represent the connection between recipients and donors. An abstract flower, a bird, the sun and a drop of water symbolize life. The stamp is an urgent reminder as “there are more Canadians who need organ and tissue donations than there are registered donors.” The stamp is available from here.

GREAT BRITAIN – Migratory Birds

Ten species of birds that annually migrate to the United Kingdom are shown on first class stamps issued as two horizontal setenant strips (not as shown in our layout). Killian Mullarney, a renowned Irish ornithologist, illustrated the birds for the set. Issued on April 7, the stamps show a nightjar in flight, pied flycatcher perched on a branch, swift in flight with three others, yellow wagtail on a thin branch, Arctic skua in flight, Stone-curlew walking on the shore, Arctic tern on the wing, swallow landing on a branch, turtle dove on a branch and Montagu’s harrier in flight. The stamps, first day covers, presentation pack and postal cards are available from here.

GREENLAND – Crown Princess Mary 50th Birthday

A photograph of the Danish Crown Princess Mary in Greenlandic national costume by Stine Heilmann is featured on a single 18+1 DKK semipostal stamp to celebrate her 50th birthday on February 5. The princess was born in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia and is the wife of heir apparent Prince Frederick of Denmark, whom she married in 2004. The proceeds of the extra charge will go to the Dandelion Center in Greenland as symbolized by the image of a child blowing a dandelion on the selvage of the souvenir sheet. Established in 2006, the Dandelion Center is a drop-in center and activity place for children and young people. Stamp products can be purchased online from here.

ISRAEL – Farmers Federation of Israel Centenary

Manual labor and modern techniques are combined in the present day development of agriculture as shown on a single stamp issued by Israel Post on February 15. The Farmers Federation was originally an Ottoman association and today unites thousands of farmers throughout Israel. According to the website, the symbols shown emphasize “the importance of local produce; climate control; a drone for supervising and monitoring agricultural areas; a tractor; grapes; a tomato; fertilizer; a vertical greenhouse; an apple; research; a berry; an avocado; reclaiming water; cherries; a pepper.” Depicted on the tab is the Farmers Federation logo and the motto “If there is agriculture here – the homeland is here.”  The stamp is printed in sheets of 15 available from here.

ISLE OF MAN – Magical Animal Paintings by Eileen Schaer

Isle of Man Post Office on April 12 issued a set of six stamps featuring the work of popular Manx artist Eileen Schaer, whose art incorporates “the mischievous and playful personality of its subjects, in particular the animals.” The paintings on the stamps were done in acrylic on board and show Lady Dreaming of a Tiger (73p), Birdsong (£1.38), Moonlight (£1.54), Lady With Birds (£1.75), Just Friends (£1.91) and Lady Kneeling’ (£2.12). The “Lady” in the scenes is thought to be the artist as human witness in the calm, poetic and meditative images. The stamps are available online as singles or in sheets of 15 from here.

NEW ZEALAND – New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

This Grammy Award-nominated orchestra officially known as The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa (NZSO) began playing in 1947 and has performed around the world with well known contemporary and classical artists. According to the website, it topped the album charts with a collaboration with rock group Split Enz and is featured on film and gaming soundtracks including “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” and “Titanfall 2.”  Issued on March 2, the miniature sheet features a $1.50 stamp depicting a stylized harp and a $4.10 stamp with another stylized instrument. A gathering of musicians with a variety of instruments are shown on the left selvage. The stamp is available from here.