No other individual has played a similarly important role for modern, autonomous Åland as Julius Sundblom (1865-1945), also known as the “King of Åland”. On 22 June, Åland Post commemorates his 150^th birthday with the issue of a stamp.

In the early 1900s, the world situation was unstable with ongoing wars and revolutions. The turbulent times made the people in Åland turn to the old mother country Sweden in the west. Subsequently, Julius Sundblom became the leader of the Åland Movement. At the time, he was one of the leading figures in Åland as founder of the only local newspaper and member of the Diet of Finland.

The dream of reuniting Åland with Sweden never came true, however; in 1921, the newly founded League of Nations presented a compromise that Åland become a self-governed, demilitarized province of Finland with international guarantees to protect the Swedish language and culture. Dan Nordman, history teacher and Julius Sundblom specialist, believes that it was at the time of defeat that Sundblom demonstrated his greatness.

“Despite the blow, Sundblom didn’t think of starting a countermovement or try to sabotage the decision. Instead, he went all in to reunite Åland and make the best of the situation; to develop the autonomy as far as possible”.

Date of issue                        22 June 2015
Artist                                    Juha Pykäläinen
Edition                                  140 000
Denomination                        Världen (€1.20)
Price FDC                             €1.90
Stamp size                           52 x 23.08 mm
Sheet size                            2 x 15 stamps
Paper                                   110 g/m2
Perforation                            13 per 2 cm
Printing method                     4-colour offset
Printing house                       Cartor Security Printing

To order, please visit Åland Post Stamps web shop at ww.posten.ax/webshop