1900s Reykjavik Post Office
Bud's Big BlueBud's Observations
Iceland’s stamps reflect a Nordic solemnity; they’re not as
dark as Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal,
but trend in that direction. The 1900s Reykjavik post office (above), through
which passed some of my stamps, looks solidly drab too. Stamp colors reminiscent
of Iceland’s December noontime sunrises, or February northern lights, continue
well beyond the classical era. Bright spots occasionally pop up. The embossed
1912 Frederik VIII series has vibrant surrounds, but Frederik himself is snow
white. Another splashy exception: Iceland’s 2016 commemorative of the Holuhraun
eruption.
2016 Iceland "Holuhraun Eruption"
Pastel colors may contribute to Iceland’s popularity among
stamp collectors. More important,
Iceland limits the number of issues. And, except for the earlies, they’re
inexpensive. I found BB’s selection easy to collect, mostly, although some of
the “officials” proved challenging.
Census: 161 in BB spaces, 7 tip-ins, 52 on supplement pages.
1930 Scott 153 5a dark blue & slate green
"Viking ship in Storm"
Jim's Observations
Perhaps one of the most interesting issues I've come across, collecting WW classic, is the Icelandic set commemorating the "Millenary of the Althing", the Icelandic Parliament, the oldest in the world. This is a fifteen stamp lithographed set issued in 1930, with eight of them in BB - see page 2c.
With a classic Norse frame "wood block" design, the vignette has several Viking scenes: "gathering wood", "Iceland woman in national costume", "Winter-bound home", "Woman spinning", and "Map of Iceland". Nine stamps have a modest CV of $4-$10+.
Iceland Blog Post and BB Checklist
Page 1
1a
1b
1c
1d
Page 2
2a
2b
2c
2d
Page 3
3a
3b
3c
3d
Note: The next page in the '69 BB is blank. See Bud's Supplement Page 1
Page 4
4a
4b
4c
4d
Page 5
5a
5b
5c
5d
Supplements
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Comments appreciated!
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