Sweden's Got A New Stamp

Sweden got a new postage stamp on May 4th, 2016, when a stamp was issued with the Pride flag. The stamp is - according to the press release from PostNord Sweden - designed by the artist Lisa Rydell.

"By issuing a postage stamp with Pride flag, we want to stress the equal value and strength of people's unique characteristics and differences. The Pride flag has to our knowledge never been reproduced on a stamp before, and it feels great that it is now possible to send physical love greetings using the Pride flag over the world", says Per Ljungberg, Communications PostNord Sweden.

PostNord Stamp annually receives hundreds of suggestions for stamp designs. The idea for the Pride stamp was sent to the council that chooses new stamps by Lisa Rydell, who was also commissioned to design the stamp.

Lisa Rydell is an artist and has worked extensively with the design of, among other books and exhibition posters. She got the idea of ​​the Pride flag stamp during a long stroll in the summer of 2014.

"Swedes very much like to both receive and send stamped letters and postcards. The selection of the stamp is for many an extension of the greeting, which will be extra strong with the new Pride stamp. A subject that is also in line with PostNord's internal work concerning diversity", says Per Ljungberg.

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I love the idea, but am a bit puzzled about the credit given to Ms. Rydell for designing something that was already designed.

"Strange, very strange!", I say to myself with a phony Clouseau-ish French pronunciation. I wonder how much she earned for that brilliant, inspired and truly original bit of copying?

UN Issues LGBT Themed Postage Stamps

"The United Nations Postal Administration has released six new postage stamps promoting equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The colourful stamps by artist and UNPA art director Sergio Baradat are also meant to celebrate the diversity of the gay community and marks the first time the global body’s post office has issued stamps with an LGBT theme.

(Source: theguardian.com)

Tom of Finland Stamps

Image: Itella Posti Oy

The Finnish postal service Itella is to release a set of stamps commemorating Tom of Finland. Itella says it wants to celebrate the iconic artist’s ‘proud homoeroticism’.

Artist Touko "Tom of Finland" Laaksonen's (1920-1991) erotic art is of great importance for the modern gay culture. His themes usually represent leather clad bikers or sailors, often involved in sexual acts. 

The three stamps motifs are based on two drawings by Tom of Finland, and represent the artist's characteristic muscular male figures. The motifs were selected by graphic designer Timo Berry.

"The sheet (of three stamps) portrays a sensual life force and being proud of oneself. There is never too much of that in this northern country," said Berry in an Itella press release.

The stamps are to be released in September and will be available for purchase at the Finnish postal service's online shop.

Source: Itella Oy webpage