In response Marcus Grònholm is a Swedish speaking Finnish rally driver, who after a long career and after two worid championships decided to end his career lasi autumn. He has designed this year's *My Àland' stamp for thè Àland Post.Marcus Grònholm started his rally career in 1987. His performance in thè Finland Rally 1998 was unbelievable; he got his big breakthrough at thè age of 31, which led also to a contract with Peugeot. Marcus won his first world championship in 2000 and achieved thè same feat again in 2002. In 2007, however, he decided to end his rally career.
- The roads were really what struck me most here in Àland. They made quite an impression on me and I also enjoy driving on them, Marcus says.
A clear connection to Àland is also Marcus' mental and physical trainer Christoph Treier, originally from Switzerland. He used to live in Àland and Marcus liked to pay
him a visit.
The stamp illustrates a sinuous red gravel road, a common sight for those who drive along thè bypaths in Àland. In thè right margin, we see thè contour of Marcus-Grònholm's and Christoph Treier's profiles in green and light blue. With this stamp, thè Post launches a big piece of news: Àland red granite has been burnt right onto thè stamp! The gravel surfacing of thè stamp is tangible, a unique feature of a stamp issue. The Austrian printing house Òsterreichische Staatsdruckerei made thè use of red granite possible; however, thè granite was sent to Austria from Àland to guarantee its authenticity!
Date of issue
Design
Photographer
Edition
Denomination
Price
Size of stamp
Size ofsheet2 x 15 stamps
Perforation 14 per 2 cm
Paper 102 g/m2
Printing method 4-colour offset + red granite
Printing house Òsterreichische Staatsdruckerei
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