Finland (1908) Postcard / Himanka to Copenhagen (Denmark)

Finland – 1908 – Postal Card – Himanka to Copenhagen, Denmark

Historical photographic postcard from the Grand Duchy of Finland, then part of the Russian Empire, sent from Himanka, Finland, to Copenhagen, Denmark, in July 1908. The picture shows the Oravainen Memorial, commemorating those who fell at the Battle of Oravais on 14 September 1808 during the Finnish War of 1808-1809. The card was published by Werner Soderstrom O.Y. and bears the photographic attribution of Signe Brander.

Overview

Commercially used international postcard sent from Himanka to Copenhagen. The card retains the original handwritten message and is franked with an adhesive 4 kopeks Russian stamp, cancelled by the circular HIMANKA / X?????? datestamp dated 9 July 1908. A Copenhagen transit or arrival marking dated 12 July 1908 is also present. The 4 kopeks franking corresponds exactly to the international postcard rate applicable to foreign destinations at the time.

Technical Details

• Country: Grand Duchy of Finland, Russian Empire
• Date: 9 July 1908
• Origin: Himanka, Finland
• Destination: Copenhagen, Denmark
• Postal Service: International Postcard
• Franking: 4 kopeks
• Stamp: Russian 4 kopeks adhesive stamp used in Finland
• Postmark: HIMANKA / X??????, 9.VII.08
• Transit/Arrival Mark: Copenhagen, 12.7.08
• Publisher: Werner Soderstrom O.Y., Porvoo
• Photograph: Signe Brander
• Subject: Oravainen Memorial, commemorating the Battle of Oravais, 14 September 1808
• Manuscript: Original handwritten correspondence preserved
• Rate: Correct international postcard rate of 4 kopeks

Philatelic Interest

The piece combines a historical photographic postcard depicting a Finnish War memorial with an exact international postcard franking of 4 kopeks, a Russian adhesive stamp used under the postal administration of the Grand Duchy of Finland, a clearly identified Himanka cancellation and an international destination in Denmark. The early 1908 usage and preservation of the original correspondence add further postal and documentary interest.