Philatelic Photograph: Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim - Helsinki, Finland

Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim

Helsinki, Finland

GPS: N60° 10.295; E024° 56.175

Short Description: 

The equestrian statue of Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim is located on Mannerheimintie (Mannerheim Street) in front of the Kiasma Museum.

Long Description:

Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim was born on June 4, 1867. He was a military leader and statesman and is regarded by the Finnish people as the father of the independent country of Finland.

Mannerhein was a General in the Russian Army when Finland was under the control of the Russian czar. At the end of World War I, Finland gained its independence. After the October Revolution of 1918, Mannerheim was the leader of the anti-Bolshevik White Guards during the Finnish Civil War. He became Regent of Finland from 1918 – 1919, Commander-in-Chief of Finland's Defence Forces during World War II, Marshal of Finland, and the sixth President of Finland from 1944 – 1946. He resigned the presidency in 1946 and died on January 27, 1951.

The monument to Marshal Mannerheim is placed in the center of Helsinki on Mannerheimintie Avenue. In 1951 sculptor Aimo Tukainen won a design contest for the creation of the monument which was funded by public subscription. The monument was dedicated in 1960.

The bronze statue of Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim depicts the Finnish leader riding a horse while holding the reins in his left hand and a baton in his right hand. Mannerheim is dressed in full military uniform with fur hat. A sword hangs down from his left hip. The statue rests on a base made of red granite blocks. The statue and base is 11.5 meters (38 feet) high.

The inscription MANNERHEIM appears on the lower right of the of the left side of the base. The dates 1867 - 1951 appears on the lower left of the right side of the base.

The stamp was issued by Finland on June 4, 1967 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim.