Tom Of Finland

This block with 3 stamps will be issued in September. What is your opinion about this stamps?

Looks like a cultural statement. What Finnish group is the targeted market for these stamps and how large a market is it?

Don

Tom of Finland, or Touko Laaksonen, was a homo-erotic artist who produced art of varying quality. His work was aimed largely at gay males. I am no prude but I resisted adding a link because the content of his work might offend some. If any are curious then just google. It is certainly not for me and I wouldn't buy this stamp.

Terry

I like it that Finland has the guts (to avoid using the b word ;-) ) to issue these.

As for the design itself: it would have worked much better if the right-hand stamp had been removed and the sheetlet would just have had the big main image.

I like the fact that Finland would issues these stamps. look like they buy into if you don't like don't look and do not buy,

I would love to get a set of these stamps. when people say stamps are boring, pull these out and ask them again........

So how does one go about buying a few of these sheets???

Diane, one way would be to Google "Finland Post". Their website sells stamps, if that is what you call those things above!

Peter

Dianne, I have a second suggestion if the first one does not pan out. A Forum member from Finland might be able to help out with info on how to order. If you search for "Rolle" he might be able to assist.

Peter

Diane, Greetings:

http://www.posti.fi/english/ will allow you to pre-order the stamp and, soon, the FDC.

I wait with 'bated breath to see what Artcraft et al come-up with for a cachet :)

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

I like the stamps and will be looking for them in Finnish kiloware! On another note, I can hardly imagine the reaction if the USPS did that here. Some groups wouldn't even accept mail with a stamp featuring a portrait of Harvey Milk on them, I can about imagine the fit they'd throw if their mail showed up franked with these.

Yes, go to www.posti.fi/english and you can pay your order by credit card

Some themes are not appropriate for postage stamps, this being one.

Differnet countries, different cultures, no biggie.

Come on, these stamps are pretty tame compared to much of the early output of Greece, numerous Olympic commemoratives, and all those old allegorical issues.

Heck,this is waaaaaay behind the times and very tame compared to our ancestors. The ancient Romans minted circulating coins showing two men copulating. For real - I'm not making that up. The stamps are about 1800 years or so behind the times.

The Old Romans had communal lavatories where defecation was considered a normal human function and conversations continued unfazed. The Spartans encourage boys and girls in mixed naked exercise regimes, and had a homosexual culture amongst their warriors. Their philosophy being a strong man will fight well, but he will fight better for his 'brother'.

And don't get me started on English public schools. But considering the parlous state of modern British stamp issues that feature all sorts of odd things, who knows what might make onto a GB stamp next. Me, I'm waiting for the GB stamp featuring the Queen's corgis being wormed. That has got to be a winner.

Terry

Not to mention the not-so-old Romans.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) received papal commissions (St Peter's Basilica, Piazza San Pietro, etc) and also produced the homage to the male form on this postcard of the Piazza Navona.

The second postcard is a detail of a painting by Giovanni Battista di Jacopo (1494-1540 and, yes, named for John The Baptist) entitled "Moses Defends the Daughters of Jethro", about which I can only ask "seriously?"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gian_Lorenzo_Bernini

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosso_Fiorentino

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey