Finland 1891 – 1918
	Main outline of Finnish history 1809 to 1918 This page is only meant to give a brief description of Finnish history from 1809 to 1918 seen through the eyes of a collector of postal history.
	Under Russian rule 1809 - 1917 When the Swedish-Russian war ended in 1809 Finland became an autonomous Grand Duchy within the Russian Empire with the Russian Emperor as the Grand Duke. The Governor General was the emperors representative in Finland. Finland kept its monetary and postal privilege. The Russian currency (Rouble) was implemented as new currency according to manifesto of April 9. 1840. Because of the Crimean War Finland’s Bank hade to take large losses, when Russian banknotes lost significant value. On April 4. 1860 Finnish currency Markka was implemented. The World Post Convention was enforced on July 1. 1875, and Finland changed their foreign rates accordingly. Finland became member of the UPU from 1884 and issued stamps with new colours in 1885. According to the Imperial Postal Manifesto of June 12. 1890 the highest direction of the Finnish Post was transferred to the Russian Minister of Interior. From January 1. 1891 Russian currency was valid within Finland.
	29 Mar 1809 - 12 Dec 1917
	Independence and Republic By the March revolution in Russia in 1917 the tsar had to step down and a provisional government was established. This government invalidated the 1890 manifesto and regained Finland’s old position as an autonomous Grand Duchy. At October 1^st new stamps with the National Coat of Arms motive were issued. On December 6^th 1917 after the Russian October revolution the Finnish Parliament approved the declaration of independence drawn up by the Senate. Late January 1918 the leftwing parties staged a coup, which led to a civil war ending in May 1918 with victory to the government troops. Finland became a member of the Universal Postal Union as an independent state on February 12^th 1918. Finally Finland became a republic from summer 1919, with K. J. Ståhlberg elected as the first president.
	12 Dec 1917 - 27 Feb 1918 Temporary State Flag				27 Feb 1918 - 29 May 1918 Temporary
	Structure of post offices existing 1891 - 1918 Primary post office (postikonttori) (pk) From 17^th century -> today 1^st class secondary post office (1. luokan postitoimitus) (1.) From 1888 -> 1920 2^nd class secondary post office (2. luokan postitoimitus) (2.) From 1880 -> 1920 Postal station (postiasema) (pa) From 1881 -> 1920 Mail stop (postipysäkki) (pp) From 1891 -> 1977 Rural mail carrier (n:o) 1890 -> 1983 Calendars The Gregorian calendar, named after its founder Pope Gregory, was instituted in 1582. This calendar was enforced due to the inaccuracy of the older Julian calendar. From 1582 and onwards the Gregorian calendar was adopted by more countries, among them Finland who did this from 1st of March 1753 (First Gregorian date), 17th of February 1753 (Last Julian date). Russia, which Finland was a part of from 1809, continued to use the Julian calendar until February 1918. The time difference between the two calendars was 10 days in 1582. From 1800 to 1899 it was 12 days and from 1900 and onwards it was 13 days, with the Gregorian calendar ahead of the Julian. E.g. august 5th 1895 Julian calendar equals to august 17th 1895 Gregorian calendar. For additional information on calendars, visit Toke Nørby’s excellent page about The Perpetual Calendar.
	Russian stamps & stationery, period of validity From May 1st 1891 when the Ring stamps were issued Russian stamps became valid franking for use within Finland, to Russia and to abroad. Not only Ring stamps could be used, also all other Russian stamps valid inside The Russian Empire became valid inside Finland too. According to regulations the use of ring-less stamps was limited to mail put into mailboxes. From April 5^th 1899 Russian stamps were accepted for general use. Russian stamps and postal stationery were at sale at Finnish post offices from late 1899 until March 11^th 1918. Additionally they (Not all issues and denominations) were also sold in the spring and summer time at Russian telegraph stations, especially those located near to popular places to Russian tourists. Locations are; Koivisto, Wiborg, Sordavala, Salmi, Terijoki, Lappeenranta, Imatra, Kotka, Hamina, Savonlinna, Lovisa, Borgå, Helsinki, Hankö, Tampere, Turku, Naantali, Oulu, Vaasa, Mariehamn (*). Use and period of validity are given in the table below.
	Domestic use		Optional: 01.05.1891 – 28.11.1917			Mandatory: Never
	To The Russian Empire		Optional: 01.05.1891 – 31.12.1891			Mandatory: 01.01.1892 – 11.03.1918
	To abroad		Optional: 01.05.1891 – 13.08.1900			Mandatory: 14.08.1900 – 11.03.1918
	From the so-called Red Finland, Russian stamps were mandatory use to The Russian Empire until early May 1918. (*) Suomen alueella olevat venäläiset lennätinkonttorit määrättiin myymään venäläismerkkejä. www.postrider.net, Jorma Keturi.
	Russian 1889 issue 7 kopek stationery envelope. This is sent from Helsingfors on July 13 1890. The postal clerk has correctly treated the envelope as unfranked and struck it with boxed T (Postage due) and marked it 25 c. This corresponds to the international cover rate. Postage due to collect was then 50 centimes. The envelope is addressed to Stuttgart, Germany. The original marking of 25 c is crossed out and a new marking of 8 c (Rounded up from 7.5 c) has been applied and therefore 15 c postage due to be collected. The reason to this change is at the German clerk has believed the cover to be of Russian origin and therefore it was under franked by 3 kopek only. The “porto” marking is German.
	Russian 1886 issue 3 kopek stationery card. This is sent from Kronoborg on December 20^th 1891.The card is addressed to St. Petersburg, Russia. At this point of time Russian stamps and stationery were valid franking in Finland when put into mailboxes.
	5-kopek 1889 never came into sale at Finnish post offices. Her it is used on a post card from Terijoki in September 1903.
	Currency exchange rates
	May 5 1891			October 4 1917
	100 Marks	37,5 Roubles		100 Marks			78 Roubles
	Postage stamps
	2 k	5 p		4 k			5 p
	3 k	10 p		8 k			10 p
	4 k	10 p		12 k			15 p
	7 k	20 p		16 k			20 p
	10 k	25 p		20 k			25 p
	14 k	40 p		24 k			30 p
	21 k	60 p		28 k			35 p
	Date	Source		Amount/currency			Amount/currency
	Valid from December 20th 1898	Circulär XXVII 1898		100 Francs			100 Finnish marks
		Sören Andersson, Swedish Postal History 1855-1925		100 Francs			128,90 Swedish kroner
	Valid from December 20th 1898	Circulär XXVII 1898		100 Francs			37,5 Russian roubles
		Calculated from above		100 Marks			128,90 Swedish kroner
	Valid from December 20th 1898 January 1^st 1905	Circulär XXVII 1898 Circular XV 1904		100 Marks 100 Marks			37,5 Russian roubles 37,5 Russian roubles

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Morten Naarstad February 23^rd 2006.