EN - English
First day, May commemorative stamps
EN
175 years ago, the first Austrian stamp was issued – marking the beginning of a philatelic journey through time that continues to this day.
To commemorate this special anniversary, this miniature sheet takes visitors on a journey through 175 years of Austrian stamp history. Four stamps from different decades illustrate the evolution of stamp design over time. The sheet’s border features additional stamps from Austria’s rich philatelic heritage.
Austria’s first postage stamp, known as the Coat of Arms Issue, was released on 1 June 1850 and designed by Johann Jakob Herz. It depicted the Austrian state coat of arms and marked the beginning of stamp issuance in the Habsburg monarchy. The second stamp featured is from the Nibelungen Saga series, issued on 8 March 1926. Designed by renowned stamp artist Wilhelm Dachauer, the motif shows "King Gunther’s Voyage to Iceland on the Dragon Ship". This design was awarded the Thompson Medal for the most beautiful stamp in the world at the 1926 philatelic exhibition in Cincinnati, USA. The third stamp, also by Dachauer, dates from 1949 and commemorates Austria’s first Stamp Day issue. Since then, a new Stamp Day issue has been released annually, each with a surcharge in support of philately. The 1949 stamp features motifs from the WIPA 1933 exhibition, a magnifying glass, and a laurel branch. The fourth stamp shown is the first in the Modern Art in Austria series from 1975. The Spiral Tree motif was specially created by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser for this stamp.
Following the previous issues on the four seasons and winter, this new miniature sheet with ten supplementary stamps focuses on the warmest time of the year: summer.
When postal rates are adjusted, stamps in now-obsolete denominations often remain. These can still be used by adding supplementary stamps to bring the total postage to the current rate. For this purpose, the new sheet contains ten supplementary stamps in six different low denominations, allowing precise combinations with other stamps to match current postage rates. Alternatively, several supplementary stamps can be combined to create a unique and personalised franking.
In tune with the approaching summer, the stamps feature illustrations of blooming flowers in vibrant shades of summery yellow and orange. Lavish blossoms – roses, sunflowers and other flowers in various sizes – are arranged into cheerful bouquets. The sunflower, with its large yellow blooms reminiscent of the sun, is a universal symbol of summer. Yellow is the colour of sunlight, warmth, joy, and happiness. The sunflower’s heliotropism – its habit of turning towards the sun during the day – likely inspired its name. These cheerful make-up stamps, adorned with bright yellow floral illustrations, bring a touch of sunshine and summer feeling to every letter and postcard.
On 21 April in the Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88. His dedication to social justice defined his twelve-year papacy as head of the Catholic Church.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents. He entered the Jesuit order in 1958 and was ordained as a priest in 1969. He became Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was appointed cardinal in 2001. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Bergoglio was elected as the new pope on 13 March 2013 – the first Jesuit and the first South American to hold the office. He also became the first pope to take the name Francis, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi. Pope Francis died on Easter Monday 2025 after a prolonged illness, one day after imparting the Urbi et Orbi blessing from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica.
His papacy was characterised by humility and simplicity. At his own request, he was not buried in the Vatican Grottoes but in his favourite basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore. Pope Francis was a vocal critic of unfettered capitalism, an advocate for refugees and the poor, and a proponent of interfaith dialogue. He initiated comprehensive reforms of the Roman Curia and promoted a more flexible approach to Catholic sexual ethics. Environmental protection, global solidarity, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts were central concerns of his pontificate. While some of his reforms – or lack thereof – drew criticism, he will be remembered as a pope close to the people.
When? 23.05.2025, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Presentation at 10:00 a.m. Where? Seiersberg Sports Hall, Schlarweg 7, 8056 Seiersberg-Pirka Group pictures, image 1 Picture of presentation: © Ö. Post AG (Group image, left to right): Armin Lind (President, Marke + Münze), Rudolf Fasswald (organizing committee, Marke+Münze), Martina Prinz (Austrian Post, interim Head of Philately) Helmut Kogler (President, VÖPh)
