ICE-BOAT on Sweden stamp 1979

The full index of our ship stamp archive
Post Reply
Online
aukepalmhof
Posts: 7771
Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:28 am

ICE-BOAT on Sweden stamp 1979

Post by aukepalmhof » Sun Apr 02, 2017 9:21 pm

In 1979 Sweden issued two stamps for Europa 1979 of which the 1.30 Kr shows us a two masted sail boat pulled over or through the ice. It is a mail-boat being rowed, pulled or sailed between Grisslehamn and Eckerö.
By the issues the Swedish Post gives:
Sea communications have traditionally been a great importance for Sweden’s contact with the outside world. The route over the Sea of Aland is mentioned in the 13th century and in 1564 a rate was set for the journey. In 1638 the Swedish postal route was extended to Finland. The traffic was organised in such a way that farmers on the Swedish and Finnish sides worked in pairs maintaining one boat and a crew of 8 -9 men. In the summer it was possible to go in open boats, but in the winter they used ice-boats pulled by ropes or pushed by wooden bars (rollers under) across the boat. The mail was kept in wooden baskets which could float ashore in case of a shipwreck.

Sweden 1979 1.30 Kr. sg995 scott1278.
Attachments
Image (22).jpg
1979 ice boat.jpg

Post Reply