Einschreibebrief von Vaduz nach Grellingen in der Schweiz
The cover of the month of September 2023 is a registered letter from Vaduz to Grellingen in Switzerland. In long-distance traffic, postage of 20+20 centimes would have been necessary here. However, it is a letter sent by the sales office for postage stamps (also recognizable by the bridge cancel, which was only used in this sales office), and is thus probably a collector’s letter. This is also supported by the date of dispatch – 25.9.1952 – which corresponds to the issue date of this stamp. The carmine red overprint 1.20 sFr was done by the stamp printer PTT. The circulation of this overprint stamp, valid until 31.12.1956, was 48,320 pieces. A strongly shifted overprint is a sign of a listed variety.einer gelisteten Abart.
Fürst Johann Adam Andreas
Fürst Anton Florian
The original stamp is part of the set of three stamps issued on 15 Nov. 1949 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the acquisition of the imperial dominion of Schellenberg. On January 18, 1699, Prince Johann Adam Andreas von und zu Liechtenstein purchased the imperial dominion of Schellenberg from the heavily indebted Counts of Hohenems. This – together with the dominion of Vaduz – was elevated in 1719 by Emperor Charles VI for his servant Prince Anton Florian of Liechtenstein to an imperial principality with the name Liechtenstein. This day is still considered Liechtenstein’s birthday today.
Kirchhügel von Bendern
The 40 centime stamp used for the overprint shows the church hill with parish church, rectory and parsonage in Bendern am Rhein. Here the subjects of the Unterland paid homage to their new lord Johan Adam I. after the purchase and thereby recognized him as their sovereign. The stamp was designed by Josef Seger (1908-1998 – Vaduz (FL), Mödling (A)), and the engraving for intaglio printing was made by Ferdinand Lorber ((1883-1957) – Vienna (A)).