First day, commemorative stamp "Austrian inventions", Erwin Perzy I – original Viennese snow globe

Snowy landscapes

Snow globes remain popular souvenirs to this day – though few people know that they were invented by an Austrian. With this motif, the series "Austrian inventions" comes to a close.

Erwin Perzy I was a Viennese inventor and mechanic specialising in surgical instruments. Towards the end of the 19th century, he experimented with water-filled glass globes in an effort to create an especially bright light source. Various particles added to the water were intended to reflect the light. Among other materials, he used semolina, and the sight of the tiny grains sinking slowly reminded him of falling snow. For a friend who ran a souvenir stall, he placed a model of the pilgrimage church of Mariazell inside a glass globe filled with water and semolina. This “glass globe with snow effect,” depicted on the stamp, proved immensely popular, and around 1900, Perzy founded the Original Vienna Snow Globe Factory in Vienna-Hernals. His work even earned him recognition from Emperor Franz Joseph. Original Vienna snow globes are now highly sought-after collector’s items and are still handcrafted at the same location by the Perzy family company, which exports them all over the world.

The snow globe museum, attached to the workshop, offers visitors a glimpse into the company’s history and the traditional production process. The range of motifs continues to expand, spanning everything from Christmas scenes, animals and snowmen to culinary specialities and architectural landmarks from across the globe.

When? 16 October 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., presentation at 10:00 a.m.

Where? 
Original Wiener Schneekugel e.U., Schumanngasse 87, 1070 Vienna

Group photo:
Photo of presentation: © Ö. Post AG

Group photo, left to right:
David Gruber (stamp artist), Susanna Hiegesberger (stamp archive curator, Austrian Post), Sabine Perzy II (owner, Original Wiener Schneekugel e.U.), Erwin Perzy III, Peter Jagsch (district mayor, Hernals)