Finland Valentine FDC

Finland FDC
Name: Valentine's Day
Issue date: 24 January 2008

Saint Valentine's Day self-adhesive miniature sheet has five 1st class stamps. The themes of the stamps are amusing forms of communication: an aircraft towing a banner, a carrier pigeon, smoke signals, an SMS, and a message in a bottle.

2008 Finland Valentine's Day FDC
2008 Turkey Valentine's Day FDC

Today is Saint Valentine's Day, althought it's not a Chinese traditional festival, but Chinese younglings enjoy this day. I wish my wife and all of my blog's visitors Happy Valentine's Day.

Finland University FDC

Finland FDC
Name: Helsinki University of Technology Centenary
Issue date: 24 January 2008

Helsinki University of Technology is Finland's second oldest university. The stamps issued in honour of the centenary depict a robot built by the university and its main building in Otaniemi.

The base picture on the miniature sheet is the main building of Helsinki University of Technology. The sheet also shows the Mellin formula, the mathematical form of which symbolizes the university's scientific research. The picture on the FDC shows a plastic funnel over a glass beaker.

Finland Alpine Skiing FDC

Finland FDC
Name: Alpine Skiing - interesting novelty!
Issue date: 2008 January 24th
Printing method: MotionPrint imaging CMYK

This four stamps dedicated to Alpine skiing features sporting heroes Antti Autti and Matti Räty strutiting their stuff. Two other stamps depict Tanja Poutiainen and Tapio "Arska" Saarimäki speeding on the slopes.

The issue is printed is based on a lens technology which combines multilevel images. When you move the stamp around in your hand, and illusion of movement is created. MotionPrint imaging is the name used for this production process. Alpine Skiing is the world's fifth actual postage stamp made with true MotionPrint technology with all the security features of stamps.

The FDC of the Alpine Skiing issue bears the four stamps. The downhill skier on the cover is Joni Malm performing on the railings at the Finnair Stadium in Helsinki. This stunt is known by the name front side rock.

MotionPrint imaging brings movement to life

The Alpine Skiing issue has been produced with an imaging and printing method called MotionPrint imaging that creates the illusion of movement. The process was developed by a New Zealand company, Outler Aspect.

The principle of the technique is not new (it was unveiled in 1960), but at first it was limited to alternating between two or three images. Today it is possible to create something close to movie effects, However, imaging the movement demands a great deal of video editing – something entirely new to the stamp business.

The Alpine Skiing issue is an example of state-of-the-art motion imaging technology. It is the largest stamp sheet made with MotionPrint technology to date, and it also uses for the first time both animation and a 3D effect simultaneously.

Finland Woodwork FDC

Finland FDC
Name: Fine Woodwork (Finland - Hong Kong, China Joint issue)
Issue date: 2007 November 2nd

Design:
0,70 € (left): Zitan Armchair with Dragon Design, Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty chair shown on the stamp was made of the now extinct zitan hardwood tree.

0,70 € (right): Oval Bowls of the 2000s
The Finnish stamp shows six curly birch bowls made by Markku Kosonen in which the brown, almost floral grain of the wood is brought out beautifully.

Finland Christmas FDC

Finland FDC
Name: Christmas
Date of Issue: 02 November 2007

Design:
0,55 €: Gingerbread Mouse
Show a little gingerbread mouse bringing Christmas cheer to every home. Scratching the biscuit picture releases the aroma of gingerbread. The self-adhesive stamp has scent capsules under a layer of Lacquer and the aroma is released when the stamp is scratched or touched. The aroma is very mild.

1 lk kl (0,70 €): Straw Goat and Mouse
A mischievous mouse is bringing Christmas greetings, riding a straw goat.

2009 Christmas FDCs:
Estonia, Israel, Lithuania.

2008 Christmas FDCs:
Canada: The Nativity, Canada: Winter Fun, Estonia, Italy, Lithuania.

2007 Christmas FDCs:
Estonia, Finland, Hong Kong, Japan, Lithuania, Ukraine, Vatican.