Estonian Fauna on Stamps

If I were to describe Estonia based on their output of fauna stamps, I would use one word: magic. Since 2001, each year, Estonian Post issues one bird stamp called ‘aasta lind’ (English: bird of the year). Since 2002, they issue animal stamps on a yearly basis, too. These stamps describe very well the Estonian ecosystem with beautiful and clear imagery – more on that below. But they also tell the history of Estonian stamps over the course of the last 20 years: they have seen the height of the Estonian kroon and the transition to Euro. They have seen generous printruns of 500,000 copies in their first issues, but go down to 20,000 in the newest ones. Sadly, they become more difficult to find and collect – but there’s joy in each yearly apparition, that I expect eagerly.

Estonian Birds on stamp, 2001-2020

Estonian bird stamps have been issued since 2001 and continue being issued at the date of writing this article in 2020. The latest issue has just been released in April.

Pictured above: lapwing (*Vanellus Vanellus*); sparrow (*Passer montanus*); magpie (*Pica Pica*).

Pictured above: white stork (*Ciconia Ciconia*); hawk (*Accipiter gentilis*); yellow wagtail (*Motacilla flava*).

Pictured above: Bewick’s swan (*Cygnus bewickii*); black grouse (*Tetrao Tetrix*); tawny owl (*Strix aluco*).

Pictured above: red-back shrike (*Lanius collurio*); barn swallow (*Hirundo rustica*); ringed plover (*Charadrius hiaticula*).

Pictured above: grey partridge (*Perdix perdix*); common kingfisher, (*Alcedo atthis*); European honey buzzard (*Pernis apivorus*).

Pictured above: great tit (*Parus major*); turtledove (*Streptopelia turtur*); capercaille (*Tetrao urogallus*).

Pictured above: European nightjar (*Caprimulgus europaeus*); crested grebe (*Podiceps cristatus*).

Estonian Animals on Stamps, 2002-2019

One year later, in 2002, Estonian Post started issuing yearly single stamps representing local fauna.

Pictured above: wild boar (*Sus scrofa*); Ringed Seal (*Phoca hispida*); grey wolf (*Canis Lupus*); beaver (*Castor fiber*).

Pictured above: elk (*Alces Alces*); badger (*Meles meles*); brown long-eared bat (*Plecotus auritus*); brown bear (*Ursus arctos*).

Pictured above: dormouse (*Eliomys quercinus L*.); brown hare (*Lepus europaeus Pall*.); roe dear (*Capreolus capreolus*); weasel (*Mustela nivalis*).

Pictured above: hedgehog (*Erinaceus europaeus*); otter (*Lutra lutra*); birch mouse (*Sicista betulina*); Eurasian lynx (*Lynx lynx*).

Pictured above: jackal (*Canis aureus*); European mole (*Talpa europaea*).

If you enjoyed this article, feel free to subscribe to Philately.Lately. Fresh articles about philately in your inbox, at the frequency you desire (instant/daily/weekly digest).

Stamps featured in post: 38; Period: contemporary (2001-2020); Pricing: low; Availability: not readily available – full sets quite difficult to assemble. May sometimes pop up in eBay auctions. Michel catalogue no’s: (birds): 430; 456; 486; 513; 551; 580; 614; 646; 666; 693; 731; 757; 789; 824; 851; 882; 916; 969; 985; (fauna): 446; 468; 479; 504; 542; 579; 604; 643; 673; 698; 722; 767; 796; 836; 870; 901; 934; 966.

2 thoughts on “Estonian Fauna on Stamps”

Suman PAHARI says:

August 19, 2020 at 6:03 am

Hi, am unable to subscribe as it is showing error in accepting my email address. Please add me spaharionline@gmail.com in your emailing list.

LikeLike

1. Philately. Lately. says:
  
  August 22, 2020 at 11:31 am
  
  Hi, you should receive a link to your email to confirm your subscription. Happy to have you on board.
  
  LikeLike