2012 sees the start of a new theme for
Åland franking labels.
Reputable stamp artist Juha Pykäläinen
was commissioned to illustrate old wooden duck decoys; first out is the eider
duck.
Wildfowl decoys are lifelike dummies used
by hunters to encourage birds to land nearby. The oldest decoys were made from
plants such as bulrush, and the first decoys carved from wood were unpainted.
Decoys are now mostly made from plastic. The new series of postal labels shows
painted wooden decoys.
One of the largest sea ducks is the eider
with a body length of 60 to 70 cm. It has a large bulky shape with a short
neck, a large head and a long wedge-shaped bill without knob. The bill is
feathered on the sides from the base of the bill to the nostrils. The eider can
be readily distinguished by its characteristic triangular head shape with the
bill and forehead forming a straight line. The wings are broad, short and
relatively small with a wingspan of 95 to 105 cm. The male eider is also called
eider drake.
Technical Details
Issue Date: 01.02.2012
Designer: Juha Pykäläinen
Printer: The Lowe Martin Group
Process: The Lowe Martin Group
Colours: 5-colour offset
Size: 40 x 30.34 mm
Values: €0.75, €0.80, €0.95, €1.00
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