Postage stamps and postal history of Sweden
19th century
Sweden issued its first postage stamps on 1 July 1855, a set of five values denominated in
A new design that included a reclining lion appeared in 1862, but it was used only for 3 öre, 17 öre, and 20 öre values before being superseded in 1872 by a design featuring a large numeral in a round frame. The numeral issue included Sweden's first bi-colored stamp; the 1-riksdaler value was printed in bistre and blue, and the center design was the Three Crowns of the royal arms. The numerals continued in use for nearly twenty years, the main change being the replacement of the riksdaler stamp with a 1-kronor value in 1878 (five years after the introduction of krona).
The monarch made a first appearance on stamps in 1885, in the person of
In 1891 a new
20th century
A new series of 1910 used an arms design for low values, and a full-face portrait of King
During the 1920s, the 1920 definitives were gradually supplanted by a new series with a 3/4 profile of Gustav. In 1924, the
Another major commemorative set in 1936 marked the 300th anniversary of the postal service with 12 values each with its own design noting some aspect of Sweden's postal history to date.
In 1939 a new series used a profile of Gustav for lower values, and the Three Crowns for higher; the crowns design continued in use into the 1960s. Meanwhile, the pattern for commemoratives was to issue about 3-4 each year, typically a single design in two denominations, with the lower value available in both booklet and coil form, and the higher as a coil stamp only.
Czesław Słania began doing engraving for the post in 1959, and so became well known for work of exceptional quality.
The definitives of 1967 were a major departure from tradition. Instead of portraits of the king, the 18 designs encompassed a wide variety of subjects, including wildlife, scenery, daily life, history, and legend, each realized in radically different styles.
See also
Sources
- Stanley Gibbons Ltd: various catalogues
- Encyclopaedia of Postal Authorities
- ISBN 0-356-10862-7
External links
- http://www.posten.se/ [1] - Official Swedish postal site (and in English)
- Official list and images of current stamps
- Links to Swedish postal history resources