Sometimes it’s the most inconspicuous covers that tell the most fascinating stories. At first glance, this domestic printed-matter item from 1961 seems quite ordinary: a simple mailing, franked with a 5-rappen stamp from the “Landscapes (II)” series.
The stamp, designed by Liechtenstein artist Josef Seger (1908–1998) and issued on May 30, 1961, features an evocative scene printed in blackish-olive brown: sheaves of grain in front of the parish church of Bendern.
It’s an image that captures Liechtenstein’s deep connection between faith, landscape, and rural tradition. The fine recess printing lends the motif remarkable depth and character.
But the true treasure lies not in the design, but in the postmark. This printed-matter item bears a provisional postmark, also known as a “wandering postmark”—a rare relic from the history of Liechtenstein’s postal service. Such temporary handstamps were used only when a regular bridge-type postmark was defective or had to be sent for repair. Their allocation fell under the responsibility of the Regional Postal Directorate of St. Gallen, which, since Switzerland’s takeover of Liechtenstein’s postal administration on 1 February 1921, had been in charge of the country’s postal operations and technical services.
Der erste Wanderstempel von Mauren (aus RLS-Mitteilungen 1994/Heft4/Seite 88 ff)
The provisional postmark used here originated from Mauren and was in service from 26 July to 8 August 1961—only the second time in the village’s postal history that such a device was employed. Mauren had previously used a temporary postmark in 1932, which bore the inscription “MAUREN L.STEIN.” By 1961, this had been modernized to “MAUREN FL”, to avoid confusion with the Swiss locality of the same name. The dimensions also changed slightly, from 52.5 × 21 mm (1932) to 50.5 × 22.5 mm (1961).
Just seven years later, in 1968, a provisional postmark was used in Liechtenstein for the last time—at Gamprin-Bendern. With the introduction of postal codes in 1965, all post offices were equipped with at least two cancellation devices, bringing the era of such temporary handstamps to an end.
Thus, this seemingly ordinary printed-matter item, franked with a 5-rappen stamp and bearing a rare provisional postmark, tells an entire chapter of Liechtenstein’s postal history—from craftsmanship and administrative practice to technological progress.
Source: RLS-Mitteilungen 1994/Heft4/Seite 88 ff
Technical and philatelic data of the “Landscapes (II)” series
- Series: Landscapes (II)
- Design I: Sheaves of grain in front of the parish church of Bendern
- Design II: Schellenberg
- Date of issue: 30 May 1961
- Denominations: 5 rappen and 40 rappen
- Designer: Josef Seger (1908–1998)
- Printing method: Recess printing with 5×5 screen pattern
- Printer: Courvoisier S.A.
- Perforation: 11¾
