November 11th 2011- Posthorn

After issuing these definitive stamps in three currency units and in almost 160 versions since 1872, Norway Post launched its first high value posthorn stamp (NOK 30) in 2010. This has now been joined by a NOK 50 stamp. German architect Wilhelm von Hanno (1826-82) could have had no idea what he was starting when he designed Norway’s first posthorn stamp, the Three skilling red. Von Hanno came to Oslo in 1850 to complete the work on Trinity Church. Later he designed the Geographic Survey of Norway (now the National Academy of Fine Arts) and the Oslo Commercial Association buildings, Arendal High School and the Grønland Church, School, Fire and Police Station complex in Oslo.

In partnership with his countryman Heinrich Ernst Schirmer, he won first prize in the architectural design competition for the new parliament building in 1857. Their design was however dropped in favour of Swedish Victor Langslet’s far more pompous building. Schirmer and von Hanno also designed many station buildings for the Norwegian State Railways and, in his stamp design, von Hanno did not forget the significance of rail transport for the postal service. In each corner of the stamp he placed a winged wheel symbolizing the railway.

In 2001 our posthorn stamps with krone values were given a facelift by Norway’s most prominent stamp designers, Sverre Morken and Enzo Finger. This was a challenging assignment which they fulfilled with great success. The original motif - ingenious in its simplicity – was combined with a modern design and the resulting stamps were met with acclaim by stamp collectors all over the world. During the period up to 2010 new posthorn stamps were issued in denominations of NOK 1 to 9, in a range of colours and presentation fit for a world record holder. In 2010 a NOK 30 stamp was added to the series. With the NOK 50 stamp and presumably other new denominations in the years to come, the world record should stay in Norwegian hands for a long, long time.

NK: 1802
Date of issue: 11 November 2011
Value and subject: Kr 50.00: Posthorn
Design: Sverre Morken and Enzo Finger
Method of printing: Offset
Printing house: Joh. Enschedé Security Print