Austria Stamps
Issues of 1920-1922
Surtaxed German Austria stamps were introduced in 1920. These surtaxed stamps, also known as semi-postal or charity stamps, were priced at double their face value, in addition to the denomination inscribed on the stamp. Thus, a 20 Kroner postage stamp would cost the buyer 60 Kroner, a sizable sum of money, with 100 Kroner of just a few years earlier being a one ounce gold coin! Unfortunately, most of the issues of this period were for political propaganda funds, instead of being for charitable funds.
On September 16, 1920, the current definitive postage stamps, or their types, printed in differing colors, were overprinted "Kärnten Abstimmung" for the Carinthia Plebiscite. They are all shown above (Mi. #321-39, Sc. #B11-29). The lower denominations were all perforated 12 1/2, and the higher denominations were all imperforate.
The Carinthian Plebiscite was held on October 10, 1920 in the Southern area settled by Carinthian Slovenes. The plebiscite would determine the final border between the Republic of German Austria and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which would eventually become Yugoslavia. The population of the area, by a majority of 59%, voted for union with the Republic of German Austria.
The twenty-three pictorial-type propaganda stamps shown above were prepared in October 1920 to publicize the Carinthia Plebiscite, but THEY WERE NEVER ISSUED. These stamps are listed in the Locals section of the Michel Österreich-Spezial catalog.
Even had these stamps been issued, under Universal Postal Union rules they would not have been valid for letter postage, as the designs do NOT INCLUDE THE COUNTRY NAME, with that being "Deutschösterreich".
These Austria stamps are all inscribed "Volksabstimmung / 1920 / Karnten", and they picture patriotic designs and Carinthian scenery. According to the Michel catalog, there were two printings of these stamps. About 6,000 sets were printed.
Though not high-priced today, these un-issued propaganda stamps are a bit difficult to locate, especially in complete sets.
On March 1, 1921, the current definitive postage stamps, or their types, printed in differing colors, were overprinted "Hochwasser / 1920" for Flood Relief. They are all shown above (Mi. #340-59, Sc. #B30-49). These German Austria stamps are all perforated 12 1/2.
The profits from the sale of these stamps went to a fund for the victims of serious flooding along the Danube River Basin that occurred during the Winter of 1920.
On May 29, 1921, the current definitive postage stamps were locally overprinted "Salzburger Volksabstimmung" (in various formats) for the Salzburg Peoples' Plebiscite. Of the twenty denominations overprinted, thirteen of them are shown above.
The Salzurg Plebiscite was actually not an authorized plebiscite and the German Austria government in Vienna ordered that it be canceled. This plebiscite was NOT about annexation to German Austria, but about annexation to the Republic of Germany! The Allied nations, the League of Nations, and the Treaty of Versailles strictly forbade the unification of any part of German Austria with the Republic of Germany. The people of Salzburg voted for unification with Germany, however the results were not recognized, and the union never happened.
On April 24, 1921, the current definitive postage stamps were locally overprinted with an Eagle and "24 Avril 1921" (in various formats) for the Tirol Peoples' Plebiscite. All of them are shown above.
The Tirol Plebiscite was actually not an authorized plebiscite and the German Austria government in Vienna ordered that it be canceled. This plebiscite was NOT about annexation to German Austria, but about annexation to the Republic of Germany!
The Allied nations, the League of Nations, and the Treaty of Versailles
strictly forbade the unification of any part of German Austria with the
Republic of Germany. The results were not recognized, and the union never
happened.
Here is a link to an excellent article on the political history surrounding the Salzburg and Tyrol Plebiscites .....
"Austrian attempts to unite with Germany
from the founding of the republic
to the referendums in Tyrol and Salzburg in 1921"
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Return to Austria Stamps of the First Republic
from Issues of 1920-1922
During 1922, the current 2 K. denomination definitive stamps were overprinted "Flugpost", for use as air mail stamps.
Many of them were prepared, but they were never officially issued to post offices. For an unissued stamp variety though, these are not particularly rare today. Authenticated examples can be located on the internet for around $50 each. One is shown in the image above (Mi. #III, Sc. N/L).