On 14 June, the 51st edition of the Postal Boat Race arranged in commemoration of the mail conveyance across the Sea of Åland sets off. Order the lovely Postal Boat Race commemorative card with this year's special cancel and “over-the-sea" cancel in the webshop. This year's race runs from Eckerö on Åland to Grisslehamn in Sweden. The last day for ordering and submitting mail is 6 June.
About the Postal Boat Race
Since 1974, the Postal Boat Race has been an annual summer event arranged to commemorate the obligation of the farmers in Swedish Väddö and Åland Eckerö to carry mail and passengers across the Sea of Åland in all weathers. The mail conveyance continued for almost 400 years until the beginning of the 20th century.
This year's race starts on 14 June at 10 am from the Postal jetty in Storby, Eckerö on Åland, and the mail boats sail and row to Grisslehamn in Sweden. Every year, some 30 peasant boats participate, and the four-man crews wear period clothing. The boats must also be true to the times. The goal is to cross the Sea of Åland as quickly as possible, a distance of 44 km. Depending on the weather, the crossing takes 3½ - 6 hours. The mail boat that accumulates the most points combined for outfit, boat and speed wins.
Send mail by mail boat
Of course, every mail boat carries a mail sack. In this way, you too can be part of the race and obtain a unique item for your collection. In the webshop, you can buy a special commemorative card franked with an Åland stamp of appropriate postage and cancelled with this year's special postmark. In addition, the card is stamped with a special commemorative cancel, which certifies that the item was sent by postal boat across the Sea of Åland.
How to order:
- Order the commemorative card with a special and commemorative cancel in the webshop. Price: €5.00/card.*Note that invoice and card will be posted separately. You will receive the commemorative card in your mailbox following the completion of the race.
- Send your own pre-franked and self-addressed cards and letters to obtain the special Postal Boat Race cancellation. The special cancellation is free of charge.
- Send your own self-addressed and pre-franked letters and cards to obtain the special and the commemorative cancels. Price €2.00/item. *
* handling fee applies
Postal Boat Race last order and submission day
The last day to order the Postal Boat Race commemorative card is 6 June. If you want the special and commemorative cancels on your own self-addressed and pre-franked letters and cards, we also need to receive these by 6 June. Send your mail items for cancellation to Åland Post Stamps, P.O. Box 1100, AX-22111 Mariehamn, Åland.
Order your Postal Boat Race commemorative cards today!
The Postal Boat Race is arranged by the Roslagen Maritime History Association and the Eckerö local community association in collaboration with Swedish PostNord and Åland Post.
