Åland's Dove of Peace

Åland - an autonomous region of Finland that has issued its own stamps since 1984 - has announced it will be issuing its first textile stamp on 19th September. The stamp depicts the "Dove of Peace" and is "part of an international peace project uniting postal services from all over the world in a common message of peace and unity". In a statement, Åland Post explained that the message of peace is important. "The Dove of Peace stamp is a strong symbol of hope and unity and embodies the shared dream of a better world – one stitch at a time. Åland Post and our postal network stand for world peace, which we support through the international stamp project Dove of peace. With the stamp, we join forces in spreading the message,” said Johanna Finne, design manager at Åland Post. The Dove of Peace stamp project was created by Philatelie Liechtenstein and Hämmerle & Vogel, a specialist embroidery company. Eleven different postal administrations (the statement doesn't state which ones) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) have already pledged their support. All of these countries will issue identical stamps featuring the dove, which is an internationally recognised symbol of peace. Unfortunately, the statement doesn't say whether these other nations will be creating textile stamps of their own or simply releasing paper stamps featuring the same design. However, as Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein have announced they are issuing textile stamps, it is fair to assume that other postal administrations will be too. Åland Post's statement continues: "In a time of uncertainty and conflict, the theme of peace and reconciliation is more important than ever. Like a flying dove, the stamp transcends borders, spreading a powerful message of love, tolerance, and humanity. The basis of peace is not only freedom and solidarity, but also the will to understand and respect each other's differences." It is certainly difficult to disagree with the argument that "peace and reconciliation [are] more important than ever", especially when the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza are causing so much misery. But what can a few stamps do to make a difference?

Postal administrations acting together to send out a message is a positive thing if it raises awareness of the importance of peace. That message might have been more powerful if proceeds from the stamps were to go to an international organisation promoting peace, but the statement from Åland Post doesn't mention this and neither does this video from Philatelie Liechtenstein.

The stamps will be limited edition. Åland Post makes this clear and states that subscribers have priority: "Issued in a strictly limited edition, the Dove of Peace stamp is only sold as a mint single stamp or on a first day cover (FDC). Subscribers to Åland stamps have priority for the edition. Only a few stamps will be available for ad hoc orders in the webshop."

The stamp is clearly not going to go on general sale and it doesn't appear that many - if any - will find their way into post offices or onto mail posted in Åland. At a cost of 10 Euros a stamp, is this simply a money-making initiative for the various philatelic bureaux? Closer to home, the Philatelic Traders' Society (PTS) posted on twitter/X: "Yes, you could save this stamp in your collection, along with the FDC, but you could also stitch it onto a baseball cap or your jacket, stick it to the back of your phone case, sew it into a bobble hat or a T-shirt you love to wear. Show your love of stamps, love and peace with this beautiful issue from PTS Member, Åland Stamps." I suppose you could do any of those things with it and it would look fantastic. Then again, for the 10 Euros plus postage I could buy a t-shirt with a dove design promoting peace, or may even buy a few of those dove badges that people wear to show solidarity with those affected by war. There are already plenty of ways of showing that you care about peace. I could also just donate the money to a charity like Peace Direct. So, to answer my earlier question, I don't really see much of a point to these apart from as a novelty stamp. The "awareness" argument doesn't really convince me as I can't see something aimed at a few thousand collectors having much of an impact. I'm also sure most of us want to see peaceful solutions. I think it's really good to see different postal administrations working together to create something beautiful that promotes peace, but I feel this would be more powerful if the sales were actually going to do something meaningful to support organisations that work to achieve lasting peace.

Embroidered stamps are not new. Switzerland issued the first in 2000 to celebrate its embroidery industry and there have been several created since. Iceland, Italy, Austria and Luxembourg have all issued their own embroidered stamps. However, this is Åland's first so it is a historical issue.

Design Quality - A very simple design that works quite well. 7/10

Theme and Subject Choice - Different postal administrations are working together on this. As I said, that is a good thing. There are many good themes for international partnerships, but peace has to be up there as one of the big ones. I think it's a good choice and I am sure it reflects the mood of most people. 8/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance - It's the first ever embroidered stamp for Åland. I would say that peace is something that is very relevant culturally, but isn't it always? 6/10

Innovation and Creativity - While it is Åland's first textile stamp, there have been several embroidered stamps issued in the last 25 years and I don't think this is very innovative. A lot of people will see this as "different" and it is the first time that multiple countries have created embroidered stamps together. Is it creative? My view is not particularly. 5/10

Collectability - It's made to appeal to collectors. Many will find it collectable. The fact it is a limited edition stamp perhaps adds to this. But what will most philatelists think of a tiny 10 Euro embroidery that clearly isn't designed for postal use? 6/10

Personal Appeal - I definitely like the idea of countries working together to create something to show support for peace! A joint issue is a terrific idea! Like the Swiss 2000 stamp, this is created to be "a rarity". I think that is a problem when people talk about "awareness" and making a "stand". A multi-national effort by postal administrations to "raise awareness" of the need for peace would be more effective if they used conventional paper stamps that were available in post offices. People actually might see them on their mail. It feels to me that these stamps might be more about making a nice profit than making peace. I won't be buying one, even if I could (as a non-subscriber I don't have priority). 5/10

Overall score: 37/60

Some further thoughts: This stamp was issued by Liechtenstein last year. The stamp was "a call for peace" which "expresses the idea that peace comes from small things and from interpersonal relationships, with the dove symbolizing peace in one's own thoughts". I think this is really clever and quite effective. When you have great artwork and an innovative design like this, which really make you think, you don't need gimmicks. The art speaks for itself. I think this is much more effective at getting out an important message than making a few expensive limited edition stamps for collectors. Maybe if 11 countries had released identical versions of this stamp at the same time, the messages about peace could have become louder and more powerful?