Australia-Sweden Joint Issue

In 2001 Australia issued a joint set of stamps with Sweden. The stamps were issued to commemorate the Swedish Botanist, Daniel Solander. Solander was the first university educated scientist to set fot on Australian soil. For more on Daniel Solander click HERE

It seems that initially Czeslaw Slania was slated to engrave both sets, but life, as it often does, stepped in and altered circumstances. An article in Melbourne Sun 17 August 2001 explains:

"When Slania suddenly fell ill (in 2000), Sweden Post's in-house engraver, Lars Sjooblom took on the job of engraving Sweden's stamps. Then Slania recovered and engraved Australia's stamps."

One of the reasons I like this joint issue is that it provides an excellent opportunity to study the differences between two engravers working on the same designs.

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The first design features Daniel Solander seated at a desk jotting down some notes - a new botanical discovery perhaps? The portrait is from a painting of Solander. Click HERE to view the painting.

The Australian version with a denomination of 45c (the standard letter rate in 2001). This was engraved by Slania...

The Sweden version with a denomination of 8kr. This one was engraved by Lars Sjooblom...

There are many subtle differences between the two stamps. My eye is immediately drawn to the different renditions of Solander's face. 

Let's take a closer look at the faces...

Slania

Sjooblom

When I saw the two heads up close and side by side, I found that I was surprised. In this instance I have to say I prefer the portrait of Solander created by Sjooblom. Yes, the colour choices are very different, which does change the impact, but I feel especially around the eyes that Sjooblom brings more life to the face. Which do you prefer?

I think we need another close-up from this stamp before we move on to the next stamp. Below are the two versions of the Barringtonia Calyptrata.

Slania

Sjooblom

Let me preface my next comment by saying: "I still really like Slania!" I truly do! But I have to say that again I have to side with Sjooblom's version of the flower. He seems to have captured the delicacy of this lovely flower with more clarity. Hmm, I'm surprised. While still absolutely superb, Slania's engraving - to me - doesn't compare with that of Sjooblom.

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Now stunned almost to speechlessness - nit an easy feat! - we had better move on to the next stamp...

The second stamp in the joint issue set features the flowers of the Cochlospermum Gillivreai in the foreground with the ship Endeaour in the background.

The Australian stamp with the denomination $1.50 also features the "International POST" bar down the left side...

The Sweden stamp with the denomination 8kr immediately looks different due to the absence of the blue bar down the left side.

So which stamp in this instance better captures the mood? Let's look at a couple of details of the Cochlospermum Gillivreai flower to help us decide...

Slania's Version

Sjooblom's Version

Which rendition of the flower leaps out at you? This time I have to go with Slania. I feel like his version is a bit softer and more natural looking. Which do you like best?

Should we look at one more close up? Hey, why not! This time we'll zoom in on the ship Endeavour for a detailed look...

Slania

Sjooblom

Deciding which engraving I prefer is a little trickery here as the colour choices for the background play a big part in the overall effect. At first glance I like Slani's, but then when I look closer I have to say that Sjooblom creates a crisper and better detailed version of the ship. Of course, this is purely my opinion!

To wrap things up, I found it fascinating to study the work of two engravers and how they managed their own spin on the same designs. Overall, I'd have to say my preference leans toward the engraver of the Swedish stamps, Lars Sjooblom. This came as a real surprise as when I gave the stamps a cursory glance before scanning I thought Slania's stamps far superior. Perhaps therein lay the key. Close up Slania's engravings came up short, for me at least. But viewed as one normally does - without the aid of a zoom function! - Slania's engravings appear softer. Hmm, something to ponder...

Which stamps do you like best? Leave a comment below. I'd love to hear what others think.

Stay Stamp Crazy!