A Finnish stamp designed as a tribute to Finnish homoerotic artist Touko Laaksonen – better known as Tom of Finland – have become the country’s biggest seller ever, and has received orders from 178 different countries.

“We haven’t seen this kind of interest before in Posti’s history and we probably won’t again soon.” Said Markku Penttinen, the head of development at Finland’s postal service> “Our starting point was to get Touko Laaksonen’s artwork in our stamps.”

“We know that he was very well-known globally. Of course the subject matter is also topical and much discussed. This equation has worked better than we anticipated.”

The stamp which went on sale on Monday coincided with an exhibition of Tom of Finland’s drawings and letters from the 1940s to his death in 1991.

The TOM OF FINLAND FOUNDATION is selling various one sheets and sets in the United States as long as supplies last.  

Makes a GREAT Christmas card stamp to send to Bryan Fischer!