The images on the Åland issue
In the booklet of Åland Motorcyklar, issued on May 18th 2018, there are 4 motorcycles with a story behind it. The booklet contains 8 stamps, designed by Daniel Eriksson, printed in 2 blocks and connected in a sheet of 2 times 4 stamps. The sheets/stamps are only available as booklet. Each depicted motorcycle is owned by an inhabitant of Åland.
When we start with the stamp on the upper left we see a Victory Cross Country from 2011. Owner Krister Ljungdahl rides through whole Europe when he is not tinkering in his motorcycle repair shop in Marihamn (capital of Åland). His machine (model 2010) has a 106 cubic inch (= 1731 cc) V-twin injection engine with 4 valves per cylinder. Thus a real stamper.
Next to that on the stamp a Harley-Davidson from 1919 with 1000 cc, owned by Knut Kronström. He bought the plonker in 2008 in Sweden where the motorcycle had been standing in a basement since the 70-ies. In due time the motorcycle has been restored and is it participating in shows, with already a 2nd position in the Classics class on the Norrtälje 2016 Custom Bike Show.
Right below an Indian Chief from Martin Cromwell-Morgan. Martin found the redskin in Galong in Australia in 1991 and brought it with him to his island. The motorcycle is from 1944 and has first been used in the army, but has later been converted to do policework. The Indian appears to be more or less yellow, but is orange in reality.
The last motorcycle depicted on the stamps is a chopped Harley. Mariehamn‑er Micko Koskinen bought it in Sweden in 1989. The motorcycle has parts from various years and types of Harleys.
On the cover of the booklet and on the FDC an image of a Svalan MC 75 from 1951. The Svalan has been built in the Swedish village Falun, province Dalarnas Iän, and the company used various brands of engines for its motorcycles. The MC 75 was propelled by a 350 cc Panther engine.
Algot Mattsson, postman in the Vårdö archipelago, bought the motorcycle in 1957 to deliver, when the water between the islands was frozen in the winter, the mail, riding with the Svalan over the ice. In the mean time his grandson has completely resotred the motorcycle, and only the seat and the exhaust have been replaced.
The First Day Postmark is different from the occasional postmark used on the Maximum cards. Left the FDC postmark, and right the occasional postmark.
The FDC
For the maximum cards the postal stationeries that have also been issued have been used.
For the stamp imprint on the stationeries details from the respective motorcycles have been chosen.
To my opinion all facts that are nice to know.
Hans de Kloet
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