First day of the commemorative miniature sheet "Monarchy postage stamps 1917/1918"

On 7 March 2025, the final commemorative miniature sheet in the “Monarchy postage stamps” series was unveiled in the Imperial Hall of Heiligenkreuz Abbey.

The last Austrian emperor on a stamp

On 1 October 1916, postal rates in Austria were increased due to wartime circumstances. This made it necessary to issue new postage stamps, which featured different designs depending on the denomination.

The 15, 20, 25 and 30 heller stamps initially bore the portrait of Emperor Franz Joseph. Following his death on 21 November 1916, they were replaced by stamps featuring a portrait of his successor, Emperor Karl I. These new stamps were issued on 10 May 1917. After another postal rate increase in September 1918, the most commonly used 20 heller denomination was printed in a darker opal green shade. The stamps bearing Emperor Karl’s image remained valid for postage until 31 October 1920.

The 1917/18 stamps were designed by the graphic artist and copper engraver Alfred Cossmann. They were printed using the typography (letterpress) method, without watermark, and on various types of paper. The stamps were also available in booklets and coil rolls. All four denominations featured the same portrait of the young Emperor Karl I in uniform, set within an oval frame inscribed “Kaiserliche Königliche Österreichische Post” (“Imperial and Royal Austrian Post”). The frame was surrounded by a geometric pattern.

The newly issued commemorative miniature sheet includes one each of the 25 and 30 heller values, with a background that echoes the original decorative pattern from the historic postage stamps. With this issue, the “Monarchy postage stamps” series comes to a close—offering collectors a unique glimpse into the rich philatelic history of Austria during the Habsburg monarchy.

When? 
7 March 2025, 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Presentation at 4:00 p.m.

Where? Abbey Hall of Heiligenkreuz Abbey, Markgraf Leopoldplatz 1, 2532 Heiligenkreuz

Group pictures: Picture  1
Picture of presentation: © Heiligenkreuz Abbey, Elisabeth Fürst
Group image, left to right: Abbot Maximilian Heim, Anita Kern (designer of the miniature sheet series), Wilhelm Remes (President, Austrian Philately Association St. Gabriel, Susanna Hiegesberger (Austrian Post, archive curator), Erich Bober (Honorary President, VÖPh) and Roman Nägele