Starting from 16.1.1926, and according to postal agreements, postcard rate from Finland to other Nordic countries was the same as postcard rate within Finland. Domestic postcard rate was between 15.1.1926 – 30.11.1931 exactly 1 mark. This postcard (postmarked 13.8.1930) from Helsinki to Gimo (a small industrial center about 50 kilometers east of Uppsala) is stamped with a 1 mark Red Cross stamp fulfilling the correct rate for postcards.

The Red Cross stamp was issued 6.2.1930 in quantity of 312.000. It’s single use on postcards to abroad is not common as many preferred the M1930 definitive series stamps for their wider availability and also because it was valid only to 28.2.1931 (so a period of little over a year).

The postcard’s picture side depicts a small public square in Helsinki (nowadays simply called Erottaja). The FInnish word “erottaja” means quite simply just “a separator”. It’s original intent was just that: it separated the areas west from it from those east of it. It also has a curious geographical interest as all the official distances from Helsinki to other cities use this square as the center point of distance calculations.