155 years since the first light. Omniva issues a postage stamp dedicated to Vormsi Lighthouse
In cooperation with the Estonian Maritime Museum, Omniva is issuing today a postage stamp dedicated to the Saxby Lighthouse on the island of Vormsi. The stamp is part of the “Estonian Lighthouses” series, designed by Roman Matkiewicz, artist at the Estonian Maritime Museum.
This year marks 155 years since the first light of the Saxby Lighthouse. Rising from the sea some 3,000 years ago, the island of Vormsi – the “Snake Island” of the Viking Orm – has long been a place where ancient lore and the power of the sea intertwine. The first lighthouse was built in Saxby in 1864, but storms and heavy maritime traffic soon required a more durable solution. In 1871, the white cast-iron tower that still stands today was erected, and it has since guided ships safely through the shallows of the Väinameri Sea. Its light has been an integral part of both the everyday lives of the Coastal Swedes and the nighttime journeys of seafarers.
“The Saxby Lighthouse is part of what is considered one of the crown jewels of Estonian philately – the lighthouse series that has, for decades, captured Estonia’s maritime heritage and attracted interest from both collectors and the wider culture-loving public,” said Hannes Nagel, Head of Philately at Omniva. “The Estonian lighthouse series is also popular abroad, as it is one of the most unique long-running stamp series in the world, maintaining the same style since 1995.”
Omniva will present the Saxby Lighthouse stamp this evening at the Estonian Maritime Museum in the Fat Margaret tower, where the exhibition “Estonian Lighthouses on Postage Stamps 1995–2025” will open. The exhibition tells the story of Estonia’s lighthouses through postage stamps.
“We are extremely pleased that the Estonian Maritime Museum and Roman Matkiewicz have put together a historical exhibition that tells the story of fire and light through postage stamps. For this purpose, we have also handed over the printed sheets of the Saxby Lighthouse stamp to the Maritime Museum, allowing visitors to see something that is normally hidden from public view – what a stamp looks like before its final finishing,” added Nagel.
The Saxby Lighthouse stamp costs €1.80 and is suitable for domestic mail. The print run is 22,000 copies. The stamp and the first day cover are available in Omniva’s online store and at post offices across Estonia. The first day cancellation mark is in use at the Tallinna Kaubamaja post office.