The Vikings traveled far and wide both for war and for trade. To do this they invented new techniques in shipbuilding that managed light weight and ocean seaworthyness, often goals in conflict. In this stamp issue, Denmark went beyond the long ago by including a modern tanker to imply the tradition continues. That was so in 1970. So slip on your smoking jacket, fill your pipe, take your first sip of your adult beverage, and sit back in your most comfortable chair. Welcome to todays offering from The Philatelist.
The light colors, perhaps faded over the last 52 years, do not make the modern supertanker image jump out. The image does make the ship seem quite large. Sort of strange as traditional Viking shipbuilding emphasized compact size and low weight/water displacement. Perhaps to imply that shipbuilding is bigger and better than ever. You can’t fault the Danes for optimism.
Todays stamp is issue A134, a 90 Ore stamp issued by Denmark on September 24th, 1970. It was a four stamp issue on Viking shipbuilding with this new ship getting the highest denomination. According to the Scott Catalog, the stamp is worth $1.25 mint or used.
Scadinavian shipbuilding began all the way back in the Bronze Age, as also shown as part of this stamp issue. It is thought that the geography of Scandiavia with long coastlines with many natural ports compared to interiors of high mountains, was condusive more to sea travel than by land.
The Vikings designed ships with wood that overlapped the adjoining piece of wood that allowed a higher bow. The wood peices were riveted together by wrought iron that added much stiffness. The resulting ships proved capable of crossing the north Atlantic ocean while other Bronze Age shipbuilders we building for the peaceful Mediterranian Sea.
Scaninavia eventually broke up into modern nation states. So where did that leave the shipbuilding industry. At the time of this stamp in 1970 not bad. Ships, now almost all comercial, were being made for the worldwide market. Japan and South Korea were also coming on strong. However knowing Danish workers earned higher salaries than Asian competitors, the Danish government subsidized the shipbuilders so the product could still compete.
In 1996, the government subsities to Danish shipbuilders came to an end. Within four years the three largest shipbuilders in Denmark had closed at the loss of over 10,000 direct jobs.
There was an old Viking tradition that upon the death of an important person. a votive offering to the Gods would be made were the dead person would be sent to sea alone on a ship except with household goods and perhaps his also sacrficed dogs, horses, and maybe even a serf. A supertanker like on the stamp to some is an image of ecological sin. Thus that the shipyard that built it has been sacraficed and repurposed as a windfarm for clean energy is perhaps pleasing to the Gods in keeping with Viking tradition. It is just too bad the old workers had to play the part in the passion play of the old dogs, horses, and serfs.
Well my drink is empty. Come again next Monday for another story that can be learned from stamp collecting. Also have a Happy Easter!