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Austria has a rich history of issuing postage stamps, with designs reflecting its cultural, historical, and natural heritage. Austrian stamps are often admired for their artistic quality and detailed depictions. Here’s an overview of notable themes and series from Austria Post (Österreichische Post):
1. Early Austrian Stamps (1850-1918)
- Austria issued its first stamp in 1850, featuring the coat of arms of the Austrian Empire.
- Emperor Franz Joseph I became a frequent subject of Austrian stamps during the late 19th century, as he ruled for much of that period.
- Stamps from this era are highly collectible, especially those with rare postmarks or errors.
2. Austro-Hungarian Empire Stamps
- From 1867 to 1918, during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, many stamps were bilingual (German and Hungarian).
- These stamps often depicted imperial symbols, coats of arms, and emperors.
3. Republic of Austria (1918-Present)
After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria became a republic, and its stamps began to focus more on its new identity:
- Landmarks and Landscapes: Austrian stamps regularly feature national parks, the Alps, historic cities like Vienna, Salzburg, and Graz, and architectural wonders such as Schönbrunn Palace and St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
- Notable Austrians: Many famous Austrians have appeared on stamps, such as composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, psychiatrist Sigmund Freud, and scientist Erwin Schrödinger.
4. Definitive Series
Austria has released several long-running definitive stamp series, including:
- 1945-1951 Post-War Issues: Stamps were printed right after World War II to help with the rebuilding of the postal service. These often depicted Austrian art and culture.
- Scenic Issues: Austria is known for releasing definitive series that showcase the country’s natural beauty, including alpine scenes, rivers, and famous towns.
5. Commemorative Stamps
- Austria releases commemorative stamps regularly to honor historic events, prominent personalities, and anniversaries. These stamps often commemorate international organizations like the United Nations, sporting events like the Winter Olympics, and important national holidays.
- Euro 2008: Austria issued a series of stamps for the UEFA European Football Championship, which it co-hosted with Switzerland.
- Eurovision Song Contest 2015: Special stamps were released to commemorate Austria hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.
6. Special Themes
- Art and Architecture: Austria has a tradition of showcasing the country’s rich architectural heritage and its famous artists like Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele.
- Winter Sports: Given Austria’s alpine geography and winter sports culture, many stamps feature skiing, ski jumping, and other winter sports.
- Christmas Stamps: Austria releases beautifully designed Christmas stamps every year, often featuring nativity scenes, winter landscapes, or traditional Austrian holiday customs.
- Environmental Themes: Austria has also issued stamps focused on environmental conservation, showcasing its commitment to sustainability and nature preservation.
7. Innovative and Unique Stamps
Austria is known for experimenting with different materials and printing techniques:
- Embossed stamps: Some Austrian stamps have a raised, three-dimensional design.
- Embroidery stamps: In 2016, Austria issued a unique embroidered stamp featuring a traditional Austrian dirndl dress.
- Porcelain and crystal stamps: Austria has also issued stamps made with porcelain and Swarovski crystals, making them unique and popular among collectors.
- Vinyl Record Stamp: In 2021, Austria issued a playable vinyl record stamp that could actually be placed on a turntable and played, featuring a recording of the Austrian national anthem.
8. UN Stamps in Austria
- Vienna International Centre is one of the four headquarters of the United Nations, and since 1979, the UN issues its own stamps through the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) in Vienna. These stamps are valid for postage only when mailed from the Vienna office.
Austrian stamps are popular among philatelists (stamp collectors) due to their beauty, history, and variety.