Post Danmark has issued on July 15, 2009, a set of four (4) map stamps depicting old maps of Denmark to mark the 23rd biennial International Conference on the History of Cartography (ICHC) which was held in Copenhagen from July 12 to July 17, 2009. We had earlier reported on the planned issue of this set, and obtained early design press-images from the Post Danmark web site. The number and layout of the final issued set does not change. The issued

Denmark (issued set) 2009-07-15

set comprises of 1 portrait and 3 landscape oriented designs. There has been a change in the denominations of the issued stamps, with the issued set having denominations of DK 5.50, 6.50, 12.00 and 18.00. The old maps shown have not changed since the early designs were released. The old maps on the stamps are of significant historical cartographic importance and depict Denmark at different periods throughout history. The maps shown are by Johannes Mejer (1650) Marcus Jordan (1585), Abraham Ortelius (1570) and Danish Royal Academy of Sciences first official map of Denmark, Videnskabernes Selskab (1841). The overall theme of this year’s ICHC is “Maps, Myths and Narratives: Cartography of the Far North.” There have been changes in the visual appearance of the issued stamps, since the initial designs were released. The line work on the larger map (DK 5.50) appears heavier to make the outline of the islands standout. The map also looks less colorful than the initial designs. On two of the other stamps, (DK 12.00 and DK 18.00) the back ground line work in the ocean area of the maps appears to have been removed or lightened, when compared to the June 2009 designs. The DK 6.50 stamp appears to be unchanged since the initial design. All in all, these comparisons have provided a unique look into the design and production of the set. This is definitely a set to be prized by all cartophilatelists.