The featured item for May is a maximum card from 1995, bearing a stamp depicting the painting “Rhein bei Balzers.” The stamp is part of a series dedicated to the artistic work of Anton Frommelt – a man who was not only active as a priest, politician, and artist, but also played an important role in the history of Liechtenstein’s philately.
Anton Frommelt (1895–1975) served as a member of the government (Regierungsrat) in the 1930s and was, among other responsibilities, in charge of postal affairs. In this role, he advocated for a more artistically ambitious design of postage stamps. His efforts had a lasting impact on the visual identity of Liechtenstein’s stamps and helped to raise the country’s international profile in the philatelic world. He personally designed at least 41 stamps. Particularly noteworthy, in my opinion, is the series “Native Trees and Shrubs” from 1957/58 – a calm, stylistically refined portrayal of local flora, which was later continued by his nephew, the artist Martin Frommelt.
In addition to his cultural work, Frommelt was also politically active—and showed principled leadership during a critical phase in the country’s history: When in March 1939 the Volksdeutsche Bewegung attempted to annex Liechtenstein to Nazi Germany, he prevented an escalation through swift action and diplomatic skill. In doing so, he made an important contribution to preserving the independence of the principality.
The stamp series from which the featured item of the month originates was issued in 1995 on the occasion of Anton Frommelt’s 100th birthday. It was designed by his nephew, the artist Martin Frommelt. The issue honors not only Anton Frommelt’s artistic work but also his cultural and political significance for Liechtenstein—as a dedicated philatelist, co-shaper of the postal system, and co-preserver of Liechtenstein’s independence.
- Issue date: June 6, 1995
- Size: 29.5 x 29 mm
- Colors: Multicolor
- Designer: Martin Frommelt
- Printer: Courvoisier (Helio Courvoisier) S.A.
- Format: Commemorative stamp
- Perforation: Comb perforation 11¾
- Printing method: Photogravure
- Face value: 4.10 CHF – Swiss francs