Austria-Hong Kong Joint Issue, Fireworks

Country - Austria
Stamp issue date - 22 August, 2006
Printing process - Photogravure
What's special - Crystal fabric

The Hong Kong Post and the Austrian Post jointly issue a set of two stamps on fireworks, marking the seventh joint stamp issue released by Hong Kong Post with other postal administrations. The application of “Crystal Fabrics”, a world-wide unique invention by the Austrian company Swarovski, to the two stamps of the block creates an innovative philatelic collector product. The light refracted by the crystal produces a glitter effect that is otherwise impossible on stamps and that brings life to the fireworks illustrated. The stamps are printed in lithography by Austrian State Printing House, Austria. The Stamp Sheetlets are printed in photogravure with Crystal Fabric.

The stamp showing Hong Kong presents a panoramic view of the Victoria Harbour, one of the most famous natural harbours in the world. Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsular on both sides of the harbour are glamorously lit. With the night sky splendidly illuminated by colourful fireworks, this dazzling city certainly lives up to its reputation as “Pearl of the Orient”.

In Austria, Vienna in particular is where fireworks have been developed to perfection. The special location of the city on the Danube, in part surrounded by mountains, means that large-scale fireworks provide millions of people with an excellent view. The stamp shows a firework display in the Vienna Prater, a former hunting reserve of the Austrian Imperial family converted into a recreational area for the Viennese population in 1766. The jolly mood of the amusement park is perfectly reflected by the bursting fireworks. The stamp is dominated by the Giant Ferris Wheel, the oldest in the world and the most visible landmark of Vienna erected in 1897 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph I. In 1945 it was largely destroyed and, after its reconstruction, became a popular attraction of the first order.

My stamp was sourced from Austria Post.
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