Åland Post stamp illustration

Sofia was commissioned to illustrate a stamp, first day cover, gutter pair and postmark for Åland Post. The theme of the stamp was Peace – the highest value of humanity.

The Åland Islands are demilitarized since 1856 and neutralized since 1921. This special status has given Åland the nickname “the islands of peace”. The final illustration depicts sunrise over red granite cliffs of the Åland archipelago. Together, the sun and its reflection form the peace sign. Sunrise is symbolic of hope, growth and new beginnings.

Gerald Holtom’s peace sign from 1958 was originally commissioned for a nuclear disarmament campaign. The symbol has naval roots, representing flag semaphore signals for the initials N and D, Nuclear Disarmament. The origin of the peace sign inspired the illustration for the first day cover whereas the flowers in the illustrations draw on the nature of Åland archipelago.

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