23 October sees the launch of this year’s miniature sheet in Åland Post’s stamp series featuring the Chinese zodiac animals and their odyssey through the Åland landscape. “The Year of the Snake is in turn to be featured in this penultimate edition of the series. This time, artist Martin Mörck explores the water-loving grass snake. The miniature sheet combines both realism and fantasy, suitable for animal and nature enthusiasts as well as zodiac collectors,” says Johanna Finne, design manager at Åland Post Stamps.

The grass snake (Natrix natrix) is the largest Åland snake, growing up to 120 cm in length. It is grey or black and can usually be recognized by its yellow or white neck patches. Unlike the viper, it has round pupils, and it reproduces by laying eggs. It is non-venomous and will play dead rather than attack if startled. The grass snake is a skilled swimmer and lives near streams and lakes where it hunts frogs, fish, and toads.

The zodiac series is a joyous project for artist Martin Mörck, who has created more than 1000 stamp motifs for 28 different countries. This year’s issue is his ninth miniature sheet for the series.

“The cornerstones of the project are always the Åland nature, culture, and the animal of the year. At the start of the design process, I walk up and down, trying to visualize a landscape. When I had found the perspective I wanted for the grass snake, I built for it a room in Åland red granite with sparse vegetation. With the snake in mind, I chose to place it at the edge of the water. The snake’s slender body is visible in the transparent water as it exchanges thoughts with a smaller snake resting on a rock in the water. They may be commenting on the crowned frog sitting on another rock; it’s the Frog Prince from the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale,” Martin tells us.

• Name Snake
• Date of issue23 October 2024
• Artist Martin Mörck
• Design Johanna Finne
• Calligraphy Shen JiaHong
• Edition 25 000
• Denomination €4.50
• Price FDC €5.50
• Price maximum card €4.50
• Stamp size 50 × 60 mm
• Sheet size  170 × 95 mm
• Paper 110 g/m2
• Perforation 13 per 2 cm
• Process 4-colour offset
• Printer Cartor Security Printers

Order the miniature sheet, first day cover and maximum card in the webshop at alandstamps.com, by post to Åland Post Stamps, P.O. box 1100, AX-22111 Mariehamn, Åland, Finland, e-mail stamps@alandpost.com or telephone: +358 18636639.