Gustaf Erikson and the Sailing Ships

[Anatol]

The stamp pays tribute to the maritime archive of the Åland shipowner Gustaf Erikson (1872–1947), which has been on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register since 2023. The stamp also bears the UNESCO logo.
The stamp motif highlights the shipowner himself, his first ship Tjerimai and the extensive archive. Gustaf Erikson was one of the last great sailing-ship owners in the world. From Mariehamn, he built up a fleet of classic “windjammers.” As a result, Åland became a center of deep-sea sailing well into the 20th century. For centuries, shipping has been closely tied to Åland’s economy and culture. At the same time, the world changed rapidly as steamships—and later motor vessels—took over. Even so, sailing endured here longer than in many other places. Mariehamn had a location well suited to maritime trade. In addition, there was local expertise, port connections, and everyday life already shaped by the sea. When Åland gained self-government in the early 1920s, it also became easier to build a strong local identity around industries such as shipping. Over time, sailing ships became especially important in the grain trade from Australia to Europe. The ships often loaded in Spencer Gulf in southern Australia and sailed toward British waters. In time, an informal sense of competition grew between the vessels—often called “The Great Grain Race.” A “good” voyage was often considered to be under 100 days. That made skill, planning, and weather knowledge absolutely crucial, even as sailing ships сompeted with more modern types of vessels. Sailing ships have existed for thousands of years. However, windjammers were something special. They were large merchant sailing ships, often with iron or steel hulls, built mainly from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. Steamships existed as early as the beginning of the 19th century. Still, it took time before they became truly profitable on long routes. They required a lot of fuel, which reduced cargo space. This is where Gustaf Erikson enters the picture. He saw that many sailing ships were sold cheaply as shipping companies switched to steam.
After years of service as a captain, Gustaf Erikson decided in 1913 to transition into shipownership, settling in Mariehamn, Åland, at the age of 40 to establish his own shipping operations. This pivot was informed by his extensive seafaring experience, which had equipped him to evaluate vessels effectively. His first fully owned vessel was the three-masted composite barque Tjerimai, built in Amsterdam in 1883 and purchased in September 1913 through a partnership structured as a "ship's husband" arrangement with local captains. Tjerimai, measuring 1,550 tons, was employed in general cargo trade across European and transatlantic routes until it sank in 1925.
By the 1930s, Erikson's fleet of windjammers had peaked at around 40 vessels, forming the largest commercial sailing fleet in the world at that time. At the same time, he was known for keeping costs down without sacrificing speed and efficiency. In short: he invested where others stopped—but he did it smartly.
When the First World War broke out in 1914, the situation became uncertain. Even so, Gustaf Erikson managed to keep a substantial part of his operations going. After the war, the fleet grew further through additional purchases. As a result, his name became almost synonymous with “the last great sailing ships.”
Famous ships in Erikson’s fleet
Several vessels became legendary. Here are some of the best known, and why they are still mentioned today: Herzogin Cecilie – one of the fastest merchant ships in its class and a standout name in “grain race” history. Pommern – a four-masted barque that became a symbol of the era and is now a museum ship in Mariehamn. The Pamir and the Passat (both acquired in the 1930s), renowned for their reliability on the Australia-Europe wheat route; the Passat is now a museum ship in Travemünde. Viking – a four-masted barque that, like Passat, was among the best known in the fleet. Moshulu – purchased in 1935 and often described as one of the last true “stars” among the windjammers. In 1935, Gustaf Erikson bought his last sailing ship, Moshulu. At the same time, the final commercial chapter of sailing was taking shape. The year 1939 is often linked to Moshulu as the last major “grain race” season.
Several countries have issued stamps featuring the famous sailing ships of Gustaf Eriksson.
Gustaf Erikson died in 1947 at the age of 75. After his death, his son Edgar tried to continue, but sailing ships were no longer profitable. Still, the legacy lives on—not least through Pommern and the documentation surrounding the company.
Aland Islands 2025.

Sources: 1.https://grokipedia.com/page/Gustaf_Erikson.
2.https://www.alandsbutiken.com/en/gustaf ... ing-ships/.