Beware of the Rug: If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 503

Thursday, May 13, 2021

If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 503

The Prime Minister Michelsen welcomes the King aboard “Heimdal,” 1905

In a few days it will be time to celebrate Syttende Mai! Also called Norwegian National Day or Norwegian Constitution Day held annually on 17 May. The postcards shared this week were sent Petra Landaas Lee. The cards were part of a 5-postcard set sent to Petra by relatives or friends in Bergen, Norway at the time it separated from Sweden. This set of cards was distributed by Eneberettiget John Fredrikson’s Eftf, Kunstforlag of Christiania (Oslo). The photograph shows the new King, Haakon VII, holding his son, the Crown Prince, Olav and shaking the hand of the Prime Minister, Chr. Michelsen.

Note to Petra on the 5-postcard set flap, 1906

An unsigned message penned on the inner fold of the card set says: “Mom and Dad send their heartfelt greetings and thanks for the photographs and cards to you and your husband. Here you greet your ancestors (relatives).” The postmark is dated 17 January 1906. The printed date on the series of cards is 25 November 1905.

In the 1380s, when Olaf II of Denmark inherited the Kingdom of Norway at the death of his father, Haakon VI of Norway, until 1814 Norway and Denmark were linked together in a union sometimes referred to as the Twin Kingdoms. Each country had its own laws, currency, and armies. Since Denmark was mainly agricultural and Norway had an export-driven economy the countries balanced and benefited each other. As a result of the defeat of the combined union of Denmark and Norway during the Napoleonic Wars, the union was dissolved. In the hope that Norway could avoid being ceded to Sweden the Norwegian Constitution, declaring Norway to be an independent kingdom, was signed on 17 May 1814 at Eidsvoll. However, at that time Norway was still legally in a union with Sweden. Instead of becoming its own country Norway now was in a union with the King of Sweden, who became the King of Sweden and Norway. It was not until 1905 that Norway peacefully separated from Sweden and became, at last, an independent country with its own monarchy.

King Haakon VII, shown on the card, was born Prince Carl of Denmark, the son of Frederick VIII of Denmark and Louise of Sweden. He chose to take the old Norse name Haakon and became the first independent Norwegian monarch since 1387.

King Haakon VII and Queen Maud, 1905

Queen Maud, Prince Olav, and King Haakon VII, 1905 arriving in Kristiania now Oslo

Seattle, and particularly the Ballard district of the city, is known to have a large Scandinavian-American community. Each year there is a 17^th of May parade held in Ballard where many people wear the traditional Norwegian costumes and wave Norwegian flags, enjoy music and entertainment. A commemorative pin is issued each year. The proceeds go to help fund the parade and associated events. This year's pin is shown below.