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US$
400599
Scott #101 [1917 1 mk red and black M-17 Saarinen Lion] (VF) on 13 March 1925 envelope FRONT ONLY with extensive illustrated advertising. From "TAMPERE As. / TAMMERFORS B." with Russian-text-removed cancellations, to Turku. Two mounting tape stains showing through from the back (which could be moderated by an expert restorer). Penciled receiving and reply dates noted. The advertising is the most interesting aspect of this SOCIAL HISTORY cover. The Finnish text is hard to translate, but in the round logo at top, the top word can translate to "National Army" or "International" or "Peace" or "National Flag" depending on the mood of Google Translate / Lens at any given moment. The center illustration is a Peace Dove. The words at the sides translate to "Bible Student". The bottom word translates to "Society". The words below offer a book "Millions Living Now Will Never Die", a magazine "Golden Time", and the magazine "The Watchtower" -- which I presume to indicate that this is connected with Jehovah Witness evangelism. From a POSTAL HISTORY standpoint, the final text at lower left states that the magazines can also be ordered from "all Finnish post offices". This last aspect is a feature of the Scandinavian postal services that is virtually unknown to most collectors and even many postal historians -- that people could subscribe to magazines and pay for magazine subscriptions through virtually any post office; the payment was handled through the post giro (postal payment) systems. Though the tape stains are unfortunate, this is a fascinating item of both social and postal history.
ACTUAL item.
8.00
401484
Scott #100 PAIR [1921 75 penni yellow M-17 Saarinen Lion] (VF) on February 1928 ILLUSTRATED ADVERTISING ENVELOPE from "....SAMO" (KUUSAMO if my research is correct) to Hämeenlinna, with 17 February 1928 bridge-posthorn receiving postmark on reverse. This was an order-placing envelope, used either by a customer or traveling sales person, for the "Otava" watch / clock / jewelry company. There are two images on the front; a distinguished older man with a pocket watch and a cherub or Cupid forging rings (likely jewelry or wedding rings). Such images were commonly used by European jewelers at the time. The total 1.50 postage correctly paid the domestic letter rate to 20 grams (15 Jan 1926 thru 30 Nov 1931). Illustrated advertising covers from Finland are quite unusual. Outstanding quality!
ACTUAL item.