On 7 May, Åland Post issues its contribution to the 2021 Europa stamp series on the theme endangered wildlife, a stamp featuring moor frogs, a protected species. “I painted the moor frog in profile to illustrate its characteristics and made a particular effort to reproduce the correct and most beautiful colours”, artist Bo Lundwall reveals.

Popular Swedish nature and animal artist Bo Lundwall always starts by studying and making sketches of the animal in question. “I spent two spring days by a lake in Tinnerö oak forest near Linköping and studied the frogs during mating season, making many sketches to have as reference. There were probably over a hundred frogs and they sounded like a chorus. But they were also incredibly shy; my slightest movement, and they hid under the water.”

The blue tone of the male during breeding varies greatly, so, Bo chose the loveliest turquoise blue. He is pleased with how the colours on the stamp turned out. Bo’s friend, zoologist Torkel Hagström, who luckily proved to be an expert on frogs, helped him to ensure that the details were correct. He made sure that Bo’s design for the first day cancel appears correct; compared to the common frog, the moor frog’s forearm has larger and harder nuptial pads.

Five species of amphibians live in Åland. In addition to the moor frog (Rana arvalis), these include great crested newt, smooth newt, common toad and common frog. An inventory last year found that the moor frog was the least observed amphibian, but it was seen all over mainland Åland.

Name of issue Europa 2021 – endangered wildlife
Date of issue 7 May 2021
Artist Bo Lundwall
Design Sofia Valtersson/Strax
Edition 90 000
Denomination Europa (2,00 €)
Price FDC 3,00 €
Stamp size 25 × 34,5 mm
Sheet size 2 × 15 stamps
Paper 105 g/m2
Perforation 13 per 2 cm
Printing process 4-colour offset
Printing house Southern Colour Print

Order stamp and FDC at webshop.alandpost.com, by post to Åland Post Stamps, PO Box 1100, AX-22111 Mariehamn, Åland, Finland, by e-mail to stamp(a)alandpost.com or by phone: +358 (0)18 636 641.