The Finnish philatelist says that Ukraine reacted quickly to the war on the stamp front as well. The Snake Island brand is of interest to both collectors and the general public.
Tuula Kullberg,
Erja Tuomaala
18.4. 08:15 • Updated April 18th. 08:29
A Ukrainian guard standing on the shore greedily welcomes the Russian Navy’s flagship to other landscapes in Moscow. Now the heroic tale has also ended up with a stamp issued by the Ukrainian Post at a rapid pace.
Finnish expert, CEO of the Finnish Philatelic Service Tatu Untinen describes the release schedule as fast.
– The subject is really topical. A quick schedule also tells you about the effectiveness of your communication.
A stamp has traditionally been a very authoritative way to communicate things. It reflects the present, the current picture and records history, explains Untinen.
Whether the legend of Snake Island is true or not, the fact is that the pride of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Moscow sank between the night of Thursday and Friday, either as a result of a Ukrainian missile strike or a fire on the ship.
The Ukrainian Post published the sign on the same day as the news of the damage to the Moscow ship. A sign that breathed a stronger will to defend could hardly have received a stronger campaign.
The brand has been made into a series of two characters, about a million copies. 20,000 first-day covers have been made.
Untinen says that an everyday thing like a stamp is also important in crisis situations.
– The label can increase cohesion and bring one’s own message to both one’s own people and the outside world.
Hundreds of proposals for the design competition each week
Also a designer of the brand, an artist who won an online design competition Boris Groh said he wanted to use the sign to raise the fighting morale and defensive spirit of the Ukrainians.
– Even if you are not familiar with the war, most people will understand the simple message. In that sense, the design of the brand has been successful, says Untinen.
There were eight proposals in the final vote in Ukraine.
Among the subjects was a fist-shaped island with a lighthouse in place of the middle finger. In one proposal, a naked, silent male figure rowing from the start out of Ukrainian waters. In addition to the stamp, Käärmesaari is part of the central catalog of the Ukrainian PR machinery, from t-men to t-shirts.
Untinen finds a somewhat similar example in the history of the Finnish Continuation War.
– Finland had lost Karelia during the Winter War. In the Continuation War of 1941, Finland took back the territories. When Vyborg was liberated, the Finnish Post published a series of badges about the Vyborg Castle with the Finnish flag in its tower.
It is unlikely to become a financially valuable rarity
An expert in stamping does not believe that the Käärmesaari brand will become a financially significant collecting rarity.
– The value of the brand is usually determined by the aftermarket and demand, usually with a small print run. Perhaps it is more a matter of showing support for Ukraine, a piece of history, says Untinen, who is also considering acquiring a brand for the collections.
Post offices often react to the news
The brand of Käärmesaari has aroused great interest in philatelic circles as soon as it appeared. Phenomena arise quickly.
– There are, of course, happy topics. The inauguration of Princess Diana and Prince Charles received their mark. Estonia issued a commemorative stamp for the sinking of Estonia. Many post offices react to world events, says Tatu Untinen.
He also encourages the Finnish Post to have a wider selection and a more responsive, more positive line instead of the current contractions.
– Made quickly and cheaply, mainly flowers and lives. However, the stamp is a powerful tool, as can be seen from the attention given to the Ukrainian stamp.