Norway commemorates emigration to North America with June 12 issue

By Linn’s Staff

Posten, Norway’s post office, celebrates the 200th anniversary of emigration from Norway to North America with a June 12 issue of a stamp and souvenir sheet designed and engraved by prolific stamp engraver Martin Morck.

The first recorded journey of organized emigration from Norway to North America began when 52 emigrants boarded the Restauration and set sail from Stavanger, Norway, on July 4, 1825, to arrive in New York City Oct. 9.

The nondenominated single stamp on the souvenir sheet in the June 12 issue shows a depiction of the Restauration and pays the domestic rate (currently 25 krone) for letters weighing up to 20 grams sent domestically.

A stamp issued in a booklet of 10 shows migrants on a ship in the foreground and the Statue of Liberty in the background. The nondenominated stamp covers the rate (currently 39k) for letters weighing up to 20 grams sent internationally.

According to Posten, more than 750,000 Norwegians emigrated to America between 1836 and 1915, with those in the United States settling mostly in the Midwest states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa.

“Many were drawn to America by the promise of civil rights, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and political participation,” Posten said.

To further commemorate the 200th anniversary of emigration from Norway to North America in 2025, a replica of the Restauration will set sail from Norway to New York City on July 4.

Martin Morck designed and engraved the stamps and souvenir sheet in Posten’s June 12 issue. Both were printed by Joh. Enschede Security Print. The souvenir sheet measures 100 millimeters by 70mm, and the stamp is 38mm by 26mm.

The June 12 Emigration to North America Bicentenary issue can be found on the Posten website.

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