1954 - Rock Carvings

An attempt to modernize


In late October 1951 the Swedish Mail decided to emit a new series of definitive stamps and it was decided it would have denominations in a span from 45 to 85 öre. At the time the design felt fresh and modern and yet connecting to Swedish ancient history instead of the usual theme for definitive series like the king or Swedish symbols (as the Three Crowns series). However the Rock Carving series must be regarded as a complement to the long running Three Crowns, not a substitute.

The first edition came in November 1954 and the denominations were 50, 60 , 65, 75 and 90 öre. The second edition came in June 1957 when the postage rates were changed. The denominations issued then were  55, 70 and 80 öre. Suddenly in 1964 the last stamp in the series was issued, the 95 öre. The planned 45 öre stamp was never issued.

The design was inspired by the famous rock carvings at Tanum in the province of Bohuslän at the Swdish west coast and also rock paintings from the province of Jämtland in the north of Sweden, it was made by the artist Jürgen von Konow. The stamps were engraved by Sven Ewert and Arne Wallhorn, the second edition, and for the last stamp Hans Gutschmidt was the engraver. The second issue and the last stamp had the initial of the designer (del. = latin  delineavit) and the engraver (sc. = latin sculpsit) added at the bottom of the stamps.


First Issue 8 November 1954


Second Issue 1 June 1957


The last stamp 12 October 1964

After the postage rate increase in the beginning of the sixties only the 55, 80 and 90 öre were in use at the post offices, and in 1964 the 95 öre showed up.  Why?



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