Flying Finns?
How do I collect impressions of special stamps? In most cases, an envelope or card is affixed with a stamp in the upper right corner. The impression of the stamp is then (in most cases) neatly applied, partly on the stamp and partly on the envelope or card. Very often, another impression follows next to the first, so that the stamp can be admired in all its glory.
But it can also be done differently! Ten years ago, in 1997, a campaign called the Flying Finns was held in Finland. A name given to several Finnish middle- and long-distance runners. The first to receive the nickname was Hannes Kolehmainen, also known as 'Smiling Hannes', who won three gold medals at the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games. Other Olympic winners also received that nickname, such as Paavo Nurmi (with three gold medals in 1920 and five gold medals in 1924) and Ville Ritola.
The most recent Flying Finn to date was Lasse Virén, who won both the 5 and 10 kilometers at the Olympic Games in 1972 in Munich and in 1976 in Montreal. In 1994, he was honored with a stamp depicting him crossing the finish line cheering, with bib number 228. During the International Philatelic Exhibition 97, held in Oslo from April 16 to 21, 1997, the Finnish Post presented the Lasse Virén stamp to the customer in a very special way.
The stamp was affixed to a postcard made of thin plywood depicting four flying Finns, including Lasse Virén. The stamp was cancelled with the Finnish Post exhibition stamp.
The other side of the small board featured address lines and a place where the stamp had to be affixed if one wanted to send the 'card'! To make it easy, a hole was drilled so that the 'card' could be hung on the wall once it had fallen into the mailbox.
I haven't seen a genuine used plywood card so far. Perhaps they were ground up by the stamping machines? Or smashed to pieces by the hammer stamps? In any case, I'm just keeping this 'card' with the curiosities. Pretty nice, actually? What do you think? 
Also a product to stuff the Post Office with money and to fleece the philatelist or collector.
See the disgusting offer from Muntpost and TNT with the Canon of the Netherlands (Philately site, this morning). Just a rip-off.
'@Cees,
Really fun! Much nicer than those FDCs and all the other crafting stuff!
Who is getting knocked loose here?? Surely no one!
Nice, yes, but still handmade.
I have nothing against handmade items either. Everyone has to decide for themselves.
If no handmade work had been produced back then, I would have only half a collection now.
(Warsaw City Post Office 1914-1918)
‘@Albert
Are you saying by that that there was no City Post in Warsaw, or perhaps only a small club of philatelists???
Lasse Viren (a police officer) won, as reported, gold in the 5 and 10 km at the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games. He attributed his successes to the use of reindeer milk. It later emerged, however, that he had (as one of the first) engaged in blood doping. In blood doping, one's own blood is administered just before a competition. This blood is usually drawn several weeks prior to administration. During this period, the body has produced new blood. Subsequently administering the previously drawn blood increases the oxygen transport capacity of the blood, allowing for better performance.
So I'm afraid the plywood map will get soaked in blood too. 🙂
Stadpost most certainly existed. And at that time, many philatelists were occupied with their hobby, I think more than now.
‘@Albert
You say that now, but do we have any figures to back that up?
Yes, a lot.
If you are interested, give me your address and I will send you a nice little book.