Austria Stamps

When my little one was born one year and a half ago I thought I would start a stamp collection for him asking all friends and family that when they travelled around the world, they could bring a stamp as a present, making it something original and special. My intention is give it to him when he will be 18 years old.
We already have stamps from USA, Japan, France, Spain... but today his godfather gave him something that I don't think they are just a stamp but a piece of art. They are from Austria, and I don't have words to explain how amazing they are, just take a look!


Lederhosen


 24.09.2015
Number of Copies
 150.000
Design
 D. Swarovski KG, Wattens, Tirol
Type
 Block issue
Printed by
 D. Swarovski KG, Wattens, Tirol
Print Style
 Alcantara Laserschnitt mit XILION Flat Backs in Golden Shadow

2004 saw the release of the first commemorative stamp with Swarovski crystals, a world innovation presenting the Swarovski Crystal Worlds. The collaboration with the internationally famous company Swarovski, which has been producing top-quality crystals in the Tyrolean town of Wattens for over 120 years, is being continued in this present unconventional issue: a commemorative in the form of a pair of Alpine lederhosen made of Alcantara leather decorated with Swarovski crystals.

Dirndl


Release Date
 22.09.2016
Number of Copies
 140.000
Print Style
 Silhouettenstickerei
Design
 Hämmerle & Vogel
Type
 Block issue
Printed by
 Hämmerle & Vogel
The world’s first embroidered silhouette stamp in the traditional form of a dirndl. In some areas of Austria and southern Germany “dirndl” is used to designate a young girl, and it is almost certainly from this that the name for the dirndl dress was derived. Today’s dirndls often have little to do with the traditional regional costumes: short skirts, low-cut necklines, fancy lacing and bold colour combinations are not to be found in so-called historical traditional costumes. These are, rather, characterised by traditional colours and patterns specific to the region, and – at least in the case of working dress – simple cuts, as the dirndl was and still is worn as the daily working garb in many rural areas. For special occasions and public holidays there is a more elaborately designed and decorated traditional costume with embroidered ribbons and scarves, silk aprons, often full-length skirts and matching headgear, such as the golden bonnets from Upper Austria. For a long time the dirndl was considered old-fashioned and “fusty”, but in recent years it has become increasingly common to see women and men wearing traditional costume in urban areas too. This is probably largely connected to the rising popularity of “Wiesen” festivals, which, taking as the basis Munich’s Oktoberfest, have become increasingly widespread throughout the world. For these it is most often the modern version of the dirndl that is worn – as sexy and eye-catching as possible. The dirndl stamp is particularly impressive in the method of production. The Vorarlberg company Hämmerle & Vogel, based in Lustenau and specialising in high-quality embroidery, is responsible for both the design and the manufacture. Each stamp is made from around 40 metres of thread in three colours. The embroidered silhouette, the different colours and the various stitches make the dirndl appear three-dimensional whilst at the same time creating a light and airy effect. You can even see the way the material drapes and folds. The dainty blouse is executed in off-white, as is the apron, using a different stitch. The red dirndl dress and the inscription “Austria”, also stitched in red, create a little red-white-red work of art. The bow on the apron and the denomination in green are particularly eye-catching. Hämmerle & Vogel is a family run firm from Vorarlberg with a long history, that has been producing embroidery for international customers including fashion houses such as Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Victoria’s Secret and Agent Provocateur for over 100 years. A total of 5.6 million metres of thread were used to make the dirndl stamp. Hämmerle & Vogel has already made several embroidered stamps for Austrian Post, including an Edelweiss a gentian motif and a petit-point embroidery.

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