On 25 August, Åland Post releases a stamp featuring the shipping archives left by Åland shipowner Gustaf Erikson (1872–1947). In 2023, the archives was included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. The stamp is illustrated by artist Juta Policja and bears the well-known UNESCO logo.
A stamp telling the maritime history of Åland
The stamp motif highlights three central parts of Gustaf Erikson's life's work: the shipowner himself, his first ship – the Tjerimai – and the extensive archives.
“Gustaf Erikson ran the world’s largest shipping company from Åland, placing our islands on the world map. The fact that his shipping archives has now been recognized by UNESCO is a confirmation of Åland's role in maritime history. We also wish to honour this proud event on an Åland stamp”, says Johanna Finne, design manager at Åland Post Stamps.
An archive of global interest
On 24 May 2023, the Gustaf Erikson Shipping Company Archives was included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, which includes over 500 archival and library heritage items from around the world. The Gustaf Erikson archives is considered an invaluable source of knowledge about the last days of commercial sailing.
The archives includes logbooks, accounting documents, photos, telegrams and letters from officers, many with the shipowner’s marginal notes. The archives comprises the period from 1913, when shipmaster Erikson bought his first ship, until 1947.
The majority of the archives is preserved at the Åland Provincial Archives, but part of the archives is also filed at the Åland Maritime Museum.
The artist behind the stamp
The stamp is created by Latvian Juta Policja, who has lived on Åland for ten years. This is the first stamp illustration in her career, and the assignment evoked both pride and nervousness.
“The sea and related themes are close to my heart, but to summarize, in a small space, the life of a legendary person and his contribution to the world’s maritime history was a challenge. I wished to highlight the most important elements in the stamp: the person Erikson, his first ship the Tjerimai, and the impressive archives. On the first day cover and maximum card, I complemented the story with more symbolic elements such as a lighthouse, an albatross, and a figurehead,” Juta explains.
Collect historical document on stamp
The new stamp is more than just a beautiful motif: it is a piece of Åland as well as worldwide maritime history. The issue consists of a stamp, a first day cover and a maximum card, each with their own postmark.
Make room in your collection for Åland’s first UNESCO stamp!
Order stamp, first day cover and maximum card in the webshop.
Facts about the issue:
Name of issue: Gustaf Erikson Shipping Company archives
Date of issue: 25 August 2025
Artist: Juta Policja
Design: Johanna Finne
Edition: 30 000
Denomination: Världen (€4.10)
Price FDC: €5.10
Stamp size: 40 × 30 mm
Sheet size: 184 ×264 mm
Stamps/sheet: 2 × 12 stamps
Paper: 110 g/m2
Perforation: 13 per 2 cm
Process: 4-colour offset
Printer: Cartor Security Printers