Early Austrian / Austro-Hungarian postage stamps
Early Austrian stamps (1850-1918, aka the Austro-Hungarian Empire) are very likely one of the most common causes of headache for most worldwide stamp collectors. I confess it took me years to get a somewhat decend grip of issued main types, and I’m still far away from being an expert with these stamps. For the rest of this week I’ll be covering these issues in a multipart article starting with this post.
Stamps without country name
One of the first things most stamp collectors notice, is that very early Austrian stamps do not contain any inscription for country name. There is a very specific reason for this… Until the Austro-Hungarian Compromise in 1867, Austrian stamps were also valid in whole Austrian Empire (meaning Hungary and some German state areas where they were used even after the establishment of sovereign postal rights until 1871, and in Liechtenstein until 1912) .
Country name began appearing in Austrian stamps as late as in 1883. Before this stamps might (but not necessarily did) include inscription “KK Post” – abbrevation for “Kaiserliche Königliche Post” ( roughly translated as Imperial Royal post).
The wide, multinational geographical usage of these stamps provides a sea of plethora for cancel and postal history collectors.
Only 3 topics
Missing country inscription might be an serious identification obstacle for some, but luckily stamps from this era are easy to identify. Over a period of more than 50 years only 3 topics were used in stamp design: coats of arms, the portraits of the Emperor and head of Mercury.
The most wanted Austrian postage stamp is "Red Mercurius" issued in 1856. Michel #9, worth 40 000€. Very likely something most collectors (me included) will never own...
What currency?
A more specific timeline can be achieved by looking at nominal values and currencies used in stamps. Between 1850 and 1858 the Austro-Hungarian stamps had currency using Kreuzer’s or Guldens (1850-1858: 60 kreuzer = 1 gulden, 1858-1899 100 kreuzer = 1 gulden), and from 1899 onwards it was Heller’s and Krone’s (100 heller = 1 krone).
More currency confusion is easily added if you are a lucky one to spot a stamp that was issued by one of the many Austrian foreign post offices. These can contain nominal values in Piastres, Paras, Centimes and several other currencies.
Be sure to check out other parts of this Austrian stamp series:
- Part 1: Early Austrian / Austro-Hungarian postage stamps (this page)
- Part 2:Early Austrian / Austro-Hungarian Coat of Arms postage stamps
- Part 3: Austrian emperor Franz Joseph stamps
- Part 4: An overview of Austrian Mercury stamps
Hello
I am a dedicated stamp collector I’m and learning new things every day I am not as familiar with the foreign stamps. I have a Austria newspaper stamp and I believe it to be a p4 (6kr) scarlet type 2 also its imperf-orated, the stamp is on a brownish paper instead of a whitish color. Will this help determine if it is a reprint or an original. However there is little information when it comes to this stamp I’m not for sure if it’s a reprint or if the color is scarlet its tough to tell. If you have any info or photos that might help me determine what I have. It would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time,
Dennis
Hi Dennis,
the best way to find out the truth would be either to get the stamp expertized or show it someone specialized to classical Austria.
Depending on the country you live in there may be different practises (and costs) for this; contacting your nations local philatelic association/society and asking for advice on expertizing would be IMO a good start.
Hope this helps!
-keijo-