First class letter: first class stamps

Unexpectedly, a letter arrived out of the blue, the second packet for exchange from Thomas in Sweden. As like last time, the envelope was covered with stamps on the front and on the reverse (and a prioritaire first class sticker). It would have been fitting had there been 30, as the envelope is the 30th with stamps that I'm exchanging. In fact, there were 35 - and another block of 50 on the back!

Looking back, I realize that this is the second half of the original exchange. I'd sent double the number of NZ stamps (100) against the first batch of 50. Nevertheless, with Thomas's extra postage I feel that I'm in a position of obligation.

 

Thomas apologizes for sending more Swedish stamps. He doesn't need to. The stamps he encloses here include some of the best engraved stamps I've ever seen. Take a look at the 13 stamps below. What's the word for 'wunderbahr' in Swedish? 

From the Heart of a Scandinavian Winter

Fresh from the Scandinavian snow, hot out of the oven arrived a packet of stamps from Thomas Cohn, Sjobo, Sweden. The envelope that he sent me - the seventh so far - holds the record for the greatest number of postage stamps on its outside. On the front there are 14, and on the back there's a block of 5 by 10 (minus one). 

Thomas also writes the most formal-looking letter, and I wouldn't be surprised if he was a lawyer or judge. But at heart he's a regular guy. He bakes bread at home to keep the house warm, and then grumbles a little about the number of dirty dishes he creates!

Thomas is human in other ways too. He has a weak spot for older stamps with readable cancellations (as do I) and he is not a stickler for counting the exact number of stamps "Counting swapped stamps is not one of my strong sides". He is keen on collecting stamps, stationery and FDCs form the whole world "no lists, undamaged material only".