A stamp from the series ‘Great Estonian Things’ will be issued – the Estonia piano

This Thursday, 25 August, a postage stamp featuring the Estonia piano will be issued. This design was chosen by Estonian people by public vote within the framework of Omniva’s stamp competition ‘Great Estonian Things’.
 
During the ‘Great Estonian Things’ stamp competition organised by Omniva last year, hundreds of Estonians submitted their vision of great Estonian things to depict on a stamp. The Estonia piano was among the top ten submissions, which earned it a worthy place on the second stamp of the series. Last year, a stamp from the same series depicting a village swing was issued.

The stamp will be presented on 25 August at 3 p.m. at the Cultural and Educational Centre Viimsi Artium, Randvere tee 20, by Mart Mägi, Chairman of the Executive Board of Omniva, and Indrek Laul, CEO of Estonia Piano Factory. The presentation will include musical performances. The event is open to all, and everyone is welcome!

The stamp was designed by Indrek Ilves and printed at the printing house Vaba Maa, the print run is 20 000 and the nominal value is 90 cents, which is suitable for sending mail in Estonia. The traditional first day cover and information card will be used at the Toompea post office in Tallinn. The stamp is sold in the e-shop of Omniva and in post offices across Estonia.
 
The first written evidence of piano construction in Estonia dates back to the late eighteenth century. The craft had flourished during the late nineteenth century and by the beginning of the twentieth century, there were nearly twenty independent piano companies in Estonia. The most notable of these manufacturers was Ernst Hiis-Ihse, and the prototype of his first piano was made in 1893. After World War II, piano construction resumed in 1951 and Estonia concert and cabinet pianos were produced. From 1999, the company bears the name Estonia Piano Factory. The uniquely warm and rich sound and the quality of craftsmanship of Estonia pianos has captured hearts around the world.