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Helsinki reproduction
We recognise this contemporary card to be in an old style. Mailed in 2012 with Aurora borealis stamp, faint postmark, and address and airmail labels affixed. Grade: 4
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Liikaa Pelissä?
The reverse of this card (mailed in 2012, Moomin stamp, faint postmark, blue Priority label) is mostly taken up with a Finnish caption that seems to offer help for a gambling addiction. We’re not certain of this, but it’s as good an explanation as any. Grade: 2
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Lake and multiple views
The card doesn’t say which lake this is, but it was printed in Finland and anyway the sauna is a giveaway. Mailed in 2012 with Aurora borealis stamp, part of a postmark, and blue Priority label. The card has an irregular shape, as the scan shows. Grade: 2
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Ystävyys on hulvattomia hetkiä
From Finnish into English, “Friendship is hilarious moments.” (Or close to that.) Mailed in 2012 with a large uncancelled stamp of what looks like a giant potato. Grade: 4
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Lapland map
Several countries shown, but this card was made in, and posted from, Finland. Aurora borealis stamp and Kilpisjarvi postmark. Grade: 1
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Marimekko outlet
Mailed in 2012 with unusual “Autumn lantern” stamp (uncancelled) and blue Priority label. Grade: 4
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Sauna
If you are into sauna postcards, this one–mailed in 2012 with HockeyBird stamp, postmark, and Priority label–covers just about the whole experience. Grade: 1
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We heart Helsinki (not a postcard)
We suppose you could send this as a postcard if you taped an address (and stamp) on the other side, but it’s not a postcard. The reverse–or, the other side–has one larger voice bubble that looks like what you see here, and a bird is sitting on the bubble. Unused. Grade: 1
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Helsinki, Cathedral and Main Post Office
Interesting that it would be these two places on one card, but the card is big enough (4-3/8″ x 8-1/8″) for both. Mailed in 2012 with stamp and blue Priority label, but the stamp was not cancelled. Grade: 4
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HockeyBird
Mailed in 2012 with HockeyBird stamp and blue Priority label, but the stamp was not cancelled. Address label affixed. Grade: 4
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Summer views
Another mailed card where the (large) stamp was not cancelled. Grade: 4
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Rural home in winter
There’s no caption but in this case the photo speaks for itself. Mailed in 2012, with “cat” stamp and Priority label affixed. Grade: 1
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Turku tram TKL 47
Though the photo (and the card) look fresh and new, the writer of this postcard–mailed in 2012 with stamp, postmark, and Priority label–explains that these trams of Turku are now all gone. Grade: 1
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Lapland, Aurora Borealis – Northern Lights
Unused card. Grade: 1
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Ajattelen Sydämiä Sinusta
Google’s translation: “I think you have the hearts!” The writer’s translation: “I’m thinking hearts about you!” In this case, we like the writer’s translation better. We would also ask our cat, but he doesn’t speak Finnish either. Card mailed in 2012 with stamp and postmark. Grade: 1
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Kaunis Suomi (Beautiful Finland)
Mailed in 2010, there’s an uncancelled stamp along with blue Priority label and address label affixed. Grade: 4
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Bengtskar Lighthouse
Exceptional lighthouse postcard, mailed in 2012 with stamp and one of the clearest postmarks ever. Grade: 1
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Helsinki, The Olympic Stadium
Mailed in 2012 with three different stamps, postmark, and Priority label. Grade: 1
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Winter scene
Mailed in 2012 with stamp and Priority label, but no postmark, so therefore Grade: 4
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Northern Lights – Aurora borealis
We can never see too many Aurora borealis postcards, especially when they are–as this is–paired with an Aurora borealis stamp. Mailed in 2012 with that stamp, postmark, and blue Priority label, this is a superb example. Grade: 1
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Toukokuu 1948
If you are from Finland, or maybe even if you’re not, you might know what this event was. Other than “pushing motorcycles,” we have no clue. Nice card, mailed in 2012 with large stamp, postmark, and blue Priority label. Grade: 1
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Nymphaea
Nymphaea is the genus of water lilies, of which there are about 50 species, and school is now closed for the day. This card was mailed in 2012 with (uncancelled) stamp and Priority label. Only because there’s no postmark, Grade: 4
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Jyvaskyla, multiple views
Not postally used, but with a message written on the reverse. Grade: 4
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Forest
A pretty card, made in Finland and not postally used but with a number and line written on the back. Grade: 4
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Tampere, Koskikeskus
This is a shopping complex on the shore of the Tammerkoski rapids in the centre of Tampere. Card mailed in 2012 with stamp, postmark, and Priority label. Grade: 1
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Helsinki, Pasila suburb
Art by Thelma Salo on a card mailed from Helsinki in 2012 with Aurora borealis stamp and legible postmark. Address label taped on. Grade: 4
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Kun lisko …
…which means, in Finnish, something like “When the lizard is blinking, something big is happening, and it’s time.” Maybe we need to be Finnish? Mailed from Helsinki in 2012 with stamp, postmark, and Priority label. Grade: 1
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Air Finland
Making an exception and listing an Aviation card in its own country also, we offer this card, mailed in 2012 with stamp, postmarks, and blue Priority label affixed. The text translates as: Air Finland celebrates its birthday When traveling with you. The only problem is that Air Finland went bankrupt in June, 2012. Very minor postal creasing. Grade: 1
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A comfy cottage in Lapland
Mailed in 2012 with stamp, postmark, and Priority label. The message and an address are taped on. Grade: 4
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Kaksin aina kaunihimpi
The front caption translates as “Two are better than one” though judging from the looks on their faces, this sentiment is not shared equally. Unused card. Grade: 1
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Original Product of Lapland
Unused card, not quite what we might associate with either Santa or Lapland but nice anyway. Grade: 1
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Tartu kesään
Roughly this means “Grab the Summer” and this richly coloured 5-1/8″ x 7-1/2″ ad card promotes a TV programme that combines a quiz and singing. Mailed from Finland in 2012 with stamp and Priority label, but–as happens more and more now–no postmark. Only because of that, Grade: 4
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Valo on Jyväskylässä – City of Light
This is actually a 5-7/8″ x 8-3/8″ ad card for the city of Jyväskylä, promoting “City of Light, Finland’s only event dedicated to urban lighting.” Apparently it’s to compensate for the dark autumn season. (Side comment, nothing to do with this postcard: for urban lighting 24/7, come to Hong Kong …) Mailed from Finland in 2013 with stamp, faint postmark, and Priority label. Minor postal creasing for a card of this size. Grade: 3
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Hyvää Joulua ja Onnellista Uutta Vuotta
“Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” from Finland to you, with stamp, postmark, and postmark transfer on the front. Grade: 3
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Motorcyclist
Mailed in 2013 with a “Moomin” stamp and partial postmark, together with Priority label affixed. Minor postal creasing. Grade: 2
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Northern Lights
Mailed in 2012 with an Aurora borealis stamp, Priority label, and faint illegible postmark. The small white spot (not the larger one) in the exact middle of the card is a postal abrasion. Grade: 4
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Camping
Mailed in 2013 with large “train” stamp, postmark, and Priority label. Grade: 1
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Turku Abo, Castle of Turku
Maybe not vintage, but older card mailed from Tampere in 2013 with “Moomin” stamp and postmark. The caption informs that The Castle was a prison from the 18th century. Grade: 2
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Turku, Kakola Prison
Mailed in 2013 with stamp, special large postmark, and Priority label. This is quite a grim postcard when you see it in real life. Grade: 1
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Koli
Please note that this oversized card measures about 4-1/8″ x 11-5/8″. It survived mailig with minor creasing, but has address label and extra sticker in addition to Priority, five stamps, and all or part of multiple postmarks. Grade: 4