Despite Wars and Storms: Naissaare Lighthouse Featured on an Estonian Postage Stamp
On September 8th, the Estonian Maritime Museum and Omniva will release a postage stamp dedicated to the Naissaare Lighthouse and invite all stamp and lighthouse enthusiasts to a public stamp presentation at 11 AM in the Fat Margaret Tower.
The Naissaare stamp continues Omniva’s oldest stamp series – the Lighthouse Series. The first stamp in the series, featuring the Pakri Lighthouse, was issued in 1995. “For 30 years, the lighthouse stamp series has been the most enduring beacon in Estonian philately, preserving stories of light and the sea,” said Hannes Nagel, Head of Philately at Omniva.
Naissaare Lighthouse is a true giant at the gateway to the Gulf of Finland. The island’s tall forests have guided sailors since the 13th century, but a permanent light was first lit at the northern tip in 1849. Having survived storms, wars, and destruction, the current red-and-white painted 45-meter concrete colossus has stood since 1960. Its light flashes every night, reaching 12 nautical miles, now powered by solar and wind energy.
“So, in addition to marking the anniversary of the stamp series, we are also celebrating the 65th anniversary of the current Naissaar Lighthouse,” added Nagel.
The stamp series has been designed from the beginning by Roman Matkiewicz, artist at the Estonian Maritime Museum. “When I designed the first lighthouse stamp in 1995, I couldn’t have imagined that researching the history of Estonian lighthouses and designing stamps would become my passion and mission. Today, this collaboration with Omniva has grown into a comprehensive stamp series featuring 38 Estonian lighthouses. Each stamp in the series is like a small monument in our country’s maritime history – not just to the structure itself, but also to the location and the people and stories surrounding the lighthouse,” said Matkiewicz.
In February, the Estonian Maritime Museum will also open an exhibition in Fat Margaret titled “Estonian Lighthouses on Stamps 1995–2025,” offering a closer look at Estonia’s historic lighthouses.
The Maritime Museum and Omniva welcome everyone to the Naissaare Lighthouse stamp presentation in Tallinn, at the Fat Margaret Tower, on September 8th at 11 AM. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet artist Roman Matkiewicz, who will also be signing autographs. Stamps will be available for purchase at the event.
The Naissaare Lighthouse stamp costs €1.50 and is suitable for domestic mail. The print run is 12,000 copies. Alongside the stamp, a maximum card No. 150 will be released, complementing the first day cover set. All related products – the stamp, first day cover, and maximum card – are available in Omniva’s e-store and post offices across Estonia. The official first day stamp will be used at the Tallinna Kaubamaja post office.
In 2025, Omniva will issue 30 stamps highlighting important themes and significant events in Estonian society. Omniva’s stamps are printed at the Vaba Maa printing house on FSC-certified paper, verifying that the wood used comes from responsibly managed forests.