Austria Stamps
Commemoratives of 1954-1955
Austria stamps issued between 1954 and 1955 continued the trend of
being primarily commemorative stamps and pictorial charity stamps.
The big event of this period was that the post-war Allied occupation finally ended in 1955, enabling Austria to once again become a fully sovereign nation.
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The 1.50 S. denomination stamp shown above, at the left (Mi. #996, Sc. #591), was issued on January 21, 1954 to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Birth of the Austrian painter Moritz von Schwind (1804-1871).
The 1.50 S. denomination stamp shown above, at the right (Mi. #997, Sc. #592), was issued on February 19, 1954 to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Birth of the Austrian pathologist Baron Karl von Rokitansky (1804-1878).
The six surtaxed pictorial Austria stamps shown above (Mi. #999-04, Sc. #B288-93) were issued on March 13, 1954 to publicize Austrian Health Organizations. The surtax was for Social Welfare.
The designs are as follows:
- 30 G. + 10 G. - Patient under sun lamp.
- 70 G. + 15 G. - Physician using a microscope.
- 1.00 S. + 25 G. - Mother with two healthy children.
- 1.45 S. + 35 G. - Operating room.
- 1.50 S. + 35 G. - Baby on a scale.
- 2.40 S. + 60 G. - Red Cross nurse.
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The 1.50 S. denomination stamp shown above, at the left (Mi. #1006, Sc. #595), was issued on August 4, 1954 to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Death of the Austrian scientist and inventor Baron Carl Auer Ritter von Welsbach (1858-1929).
The 1 S. denomination stamp shown above, at the right (Mi. #1007, Sc. #594), was issued on August 4, 1954 to commemorate the 300th Anniversary of the Birth of the Austrian painter Johann Michael Rottmayr von Rosenbrunn (1654-1730).
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The 1 S. denomination stamp shown above, at the left (Mi. #1008, Sc. #596), was issued on October 2, 1954 for the International Congress for Catholic Church Music in Vienna.
The design features a Cherub and the Organ of St. Florian's Monastery in Upper Austria.
The 1 S. denomination stamp shown above, at the right (Mi. #1009, Sc. #597), was issued on November 30, 1954 to celebrate Christmas.
The design, which is identical to that of the 1953 Christmas stamp, depicts a child admiring a Christmas Tree.
The five commemorative Austria stamps shown above (Mi. #1012-16, Sc. #599-03) were issued on April 10, 1955 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Liberation of Austria and the Creation of the Second Republic.
The designs feature the Arms of Austria and .....
- 70 G. - Parliament Building, Vienna.
- 1.00 S. - Western Railroad Station, Vienna.
- 1.45 S. - Austrian flag, composed of the word "FREIHEIT" ("Freedom").
- 1.50 S. - Public housing, Vienna.
- 2.40 S. - Limberg Dam.
The 2 S. denomination stamp shown above (Mi. #1017, Sc. #604), issued on May 15, 1955, is probably the most significant stamp ever issued by the Second Republic of Austria, though a mint never hinged example is only worth about $3.00.
On May 15, 1955, the leaders of the Republic of Austria and the Allied Occupation nations signed the Austrian State Treaty (STAATSVERTRAG), which pledged that Austria would maintain a policy of neutrality in perpetuity, and the new treaty took effect on July 27, 1955. Almost ten years after the end of World War II, Austria had once again become a sovereign nation!
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The 1 S. + 25 G. denomination surtaxed stamp shown above, at the left (Mi. #1019, Sc. #B295), was issued on June 29, 1955 to publicize Returning Prisoners of War. The surtax benefited returning prisoners of war and the families of prisoners not yet released.
The design features a representation of "industry" welcoming a returning prisoner of war.
The 2.40 S. denomination stamp shown above, at the right (Mi. #1022, Sc. #608), was issued on October 10, 1955 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the United Nations.
The two commemorative Austria stamps shown above (Mi. #1020-21, Sc. #606-07) were issued on July 25, 1955 to celebrate the Re-opening of the State Theater and the State Opera House in Vienna.
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Return to Austria Stamps - Second Republic
from Commemorative Stamps of 1954-1955
The overprinted and surtaxed stamp shown above (Mi. #998, Sc. #B287) was issued on February 10, 1954 to raise funds for assisting Avalanche Victims.
The 1 S. commemorative stamp shown above (Mi. #1005, Sc. #593) was issued on June 5, 1954 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Esperanto Movement in Austria.
The 1 S. + 25 G. denomination stamp shown above (Mi. #1010, Sc. #B294) was issued on December 4, 1954 for Stamp Day. The surtax was for the promotion of Austrian Philately.
The design depicts an early Vienna-Ulm Ferry Boat.
The 1 S. denomination stamp shown above (Mi. #1011, Sc. #598) was issued December 18, 1954 to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the State Printing Office and the 250th Anniversary of the publication of the government newspaper, "Wiener Zeitung".
The 1 S. stamp shown above (Mi. #1018, Sc. #605) was issued on May 20, 1955 to publicize the 4th Congress of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions held in Vienna.
The 1 S. + 25 G. denomination stamp shown above (Mi. #1023, Sc. #B296) was issued on December 3, 1955 for Stamp Day. The surtax was for the promotion of Austrian Philately.
The design depicts a young collector looking at his stamp album.