This
Valentine's Day maxi card was also
issued on 20th January, depicting teddy bears. The stamp on it with a lovely postmark
illustrates the endearing teddy bear around the theme of
friendship and remembrance. Henna Takkinen, a graphic artist
from Kemi, who designed her first ever stamps, knows the theme thoroughly;
after all, she describes herself as a teddy bear artist. Through the stamps,
Takkinen wishes to convey the ideas of universal peace, love and caring.
Teddy bears are a passion
around the world. Not just of children but, of adults as well. A friend of mine
in Finland is absolutely passionate about them, and has a huge collection of
teddy bears. The teddy bear is a soft toy in
the form of a bear. Developed apparently simultaneously by toymakers Morris
Michtom in the US and Richard Steiff in Germany in the early years of the 20th
century, and named after President Theodore "T.R." Roosevelt, Jr.,
the teddy bear became an iconic children's toy, celebrated in story, song and
film. Since the creation of the first teddy bears which sought to imitate the
form of real bear cubs, "teddies" have greatly varied in form, style
and material. They have become collector's items, with older and rarer
"teddies" appearing at public auctions. Teddy bears are among
the most popular gifts for children and are often given to adults to signify
love, congratulations or sympathy.
Thank you Ella for this lovely card.
