Roman Matkiewicz, visual historian at the Maritime Museum, 60
19.02 – 30.08.2026
Fat Margaret
When Eesti Post issued a stamp featuring the Pakri Lighthouse in 1995, designed by Roman Matkiewicz, no one could have imagined it would spark a creative collaboration spanning more than 30 years. Indeed, over the decades, 38 more Estonian lighthouses found their way onto stamps.
The result is both a philatelic treasure and a maritime history landmark, now presented in full at the new exhibition.
On display are enlarged reproductions of all 39 stamps, alongside selected originals, maximum cards, first-day covers, and postmarks.
Matkiewicz, a long-time visual historian of the Estonian Maritime Museum, first sketched every lighthouse on location. His journeys across the country over the years have left him with countless stories to share.
Among other things, we learn how to capture Estonia’s very own ‘leaning tower’, the Kiipsaare Lighthouse; which beacon required trekking across a frozen sea to draw; and which lighthouse now exists only on a stamp.
The exhibition celebrates two milestones at once: Roman Matkiewicz’s 60th birthday and the 30th anniversary of the very first lighthouse stamp. Warm congratulations – and may the work of illuminating history continue!
Curator: Roman Matkiewicz
Exhibition Team:
Exhibition Concept: Urmas Dresen, Member of the Board of the Estonian Maritime Museum
Author: Roman Matkiewicz, Visual Historian at the Estonian Maritime Museum
Creative Writing: Jakob Laulik
Language Editing: Hille Saluäär, Antenna
Translations: Avatar OÜ
Design: Kärt Talvik, Fly Illustration
Exhibition Production: Digitrükk OÜ
Estonian Maritime Museum Team:
Collections: Eve Paavel, Evelyn Silmet, Andres Eero
Marketing: Iris Tomson
Communication: Laura Maide
Children’s Lighthouse: Irma Mets
Project Manager: Teele Siig
Special Thanks:
Estonian National Museum, Estonian Lighthouse Society, Kaupo Kalda, National Archives, Hannes Nagel (OMNIVA), Pärtel Keskküla (Transport Administration), Andy Rütkinen (State Fleet), Vaido Lillemaa