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I have brought these prices up to date and added currency selection. I have added some items using 'RH' numbers (Revised Hiscocks) to avoid conflicts. CheckList Setup |
Contributors: |
Shortcuts to different sections | |||||
Private Telegraphs | Government Telegraphs - Typo. | Government Telegraph - Engraved | Telephone Cards | Pneumatic | Telegram Seals |
Steve Hiscocks wrote:
The 'Government' telegraph stamps of Austria closely parallel those of Hungary (qv), as one might expect, in that they were introduced in 1873
(July), changed from lithographed to engraved versions of essentially the same design in 1874, and went out of use on 1 April 1879. They were,
however, preceded by those of a private company, Wiener Privat-Telegrafen-Gesellschaft (Vienna Private Telegraph Co.), which issued stamps
from 1870 until the company was (presumably) nationalized in 1873.
The WPTG stamps were in two halves, the lower being a receipt, and were presumably used rather as those of India, Uganda, Sudan, Ceylon, etc., in
which both the sender and the company retained evidence of payment. Lower halves are sometimes seen and it was presumably that which was
retained by the customer (unlike most countries where it was the top half). The vast majority of specimens found today have a black line printed or
ruled in ink across the upper half. These are remainders which were sold off after the company ceased to operate. These stamps are listed mint,
cancelled and used (bottom half).
The 'Government' stamps present the problem of multiple and variable perforations familiar to anyone who has ever tried to make sense of the
Austrian fiscal stamps of the period. Morley lists dozens of varieties while L. W. Fulcher and Dr Kalckhoff, through Morley's Philatelic Journal of August
1900, add more. Dr Kalckhoff reported however that it was unrealistic to distinguish between say 9 and 9½ or 10, 10½ and 11 since perforations
varied such as to give these within a single line across or down a sheet. I have not myself been able to examine anything like the quantity studied by
Dr Kalckhoff (especially in sheet form) and have adopted his practice of distinguishing 9½ (i.e. 9 to 9½), 10½ (i.e. 10 to 11), 12, 13 and
compounds of these. It is said to be possible to distinguish three different machines in the 10–11 range by hole characteristics but I am not at this
stage able to advise in detail. For some obscure reason large numbers of these stamps were overprinted 'Specimen' and these seem in fact to be
more common than ordinary mint.
My note:
According to John Barefoot, these were actually Typographed, not Lithographed.
1870 Private Telegraph stamps - Wiener Privat-Telegrafen-Gesellschaft. White wove paper without watermark. Imperf.
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10kr. Remainder - H1a. | 20kr. - H2. | 40kr. Remainder - H3a. |
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80kr. Remainder - H4a. | 1Fl.20kr Remainder - H5a. |
I would like to be able to illustrate a used example, but I have not seen any. Can anyone provide a scan ?
Hisc. | Description | Mint | Used |
---|---|---|---|
H1 | 10Kr scarlet and bluish grey | 100.00 | 90.00 |
H1a | cancelled (black line across upper half) | 10.00 | - |
H2 | 20Kr scarlet and bright blue | 100.00 | 90.00 |
H2a | cancelled (black line across upper half) | 8.00 | - |
H3 | 40Kr scarlet and light green | 100.00 | 90.00 |
H3a | cancelled (black line across upper half) | 15.00 | - |
H3b | green printed on reverse | 500.00 | - |
H4 | 80Kr scarlet and lilac | 100.00 | 90.00 |
H4a | cancelled (black line across upper half) | 15.00 | - |
H5 | 1F 20Kr scarlet and bistre | 150.00 | 120.00 |
H5a | cancelled (black line across upper half) | 10.00 | - |
There are differences in the background of the value tablets.
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Hiscocks Type 3 | Hiscocks Type 2 |
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Line-engraved Type Interestingly there are differences between examples. The cross-hatch pattern is indicative of the later series, but may not be apparent in more heavilly inked examples. |
1873 (July). Franz-Josef I. Typographed on white wove paper without watermark. Various perfs. as indicated.
Beware, examples of the later (cheap) type are often sold as the earlier type. This is in part due to confusion of terminology.
The first series were printed by Typography, otherwise known as letterpress (buchdruck in German) or surface printing. The ink comes from the high points on the plate.
The initial preparation involves engraving a die, rather than Lithography that does not. These are described as lithographed in some catalogues (e.g. Yvert et Tellier).
I have put together a page explaining the differences of the printing techniques.
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Hiscocks H6 | Hiscocks H7 | Hiscocks H15a specimen, for comparison | Hiscocks H8 |
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Hiscocks H10a | Hiscocks H12 | Hiscocks H13b | Hiscocks H14 |
Images of H7, H13b and H14 are courtesy of Les and Paul Bottomley.
Hisc. | Type | Typo. Description | Mint | Used |
---|---|---|---|---|
H6 | 2 | 5Kr deep brown perf. 10½ | 80.00 | 65.00 |
H6a | perf. 9½ x 10½ | 80.00 | 65.00 | |
H6b | light brown perf. 10½ | 80.00 | 65.00 | |
H6c | light brown perf. 9½ x 10½ | 100.00 | 80.00 | |
H7 | 3 | 5Kr deep brown perf. 10½ | 60.00 | 50.00 |
H7a | light brown | 60.00 | 50.00 | |
H8 | 3 | 20Kr deep blue perf. 10½ | 80.00 | 65.00 |
H8a | perf. 9½ | 100.00 | 80.00 | |
H8b | perf. 9½ x 10½ | 80.00 | 65.00 | |
H8c | blue perf. 10½ | 100.00 | 80.00 | |
H9 | 2 | 25Kr black (November) perf. 10½ | 1500.00 | 1000.00 |
H9a | perf. 9½ x 10½ | 1500.00 | 1000.00 | |
H10 | 3 | 40Kr deep green perf. 10½ | 80.00 | 65.00 |
H10a | perf. 9½ | 120.00 | 96.00 | |
H10b | perf. 9½ x 10½ | 100.00 | 80.00 | |
H11 | 2 | 50Kr deep lilac grey (shades) perf. 10½ | 600.00 | 480.00 |
H11a | perf. 9½ x 10½ | 650.00 | 520.00 | |
H12 | 3 | 60Kr deep carmine perf. 10½ | 100.00 | 80.00 |
H12a | perf. 9½ | 120.00 | 96.00 | |
H12b | perf. 9½ x 10½ | 120.00 | 96.00 | |
H13 | 2 | 1F deep yellow perf. 10½ | 2000.00 | 400.00 |
H13a | perf. 9½ x 10½ | 2000.00 | 400.00 | |
H13b | yellow-orange perf. 10½ | 2000.00 | 400.00 | |
H13c | yellow-orange perf. 9½ x 10½ | 2000.00 | 400.00 | |
H14 | 2 | 2F deep reddish violet perf. 10½ | 550.00 | 320.00 |
H14a | perf. 9½ x 10½ | 700.00 | 350.00 | |
H14b | perf. 12 | 700.00 | 350.00 |
The perforations on these stamps are very erratic and Hiscocks gave 'categories' of perforation rather than precise perforation.
Specimens seem more common than ordinary mint.
Hiscocks added the following note:
Note.
For reasons explained in the introduction to Austria perforation, types are grouped into 9½ (i.e. 9 to 9½), 10½ (i.e. 10 to 11), 12, 13 and compounds of these both above and below. 'Perf. 10½' thus includes anything from 10 x 11 to 11 x 10 since such variations can be found within single sheets and are not therefore of philatelic significance. |
1874-1876 As above (type 2 only) but line-engraved (intaglio). Various perforations as indicated.
These are usually described as simple 'engraved', since the first series were initially described as 'Litho.' and 'engraved' would distinguish them.
It is now known that the first series was in fact typographed, which also involves engraving a die, so 'line-engraved' would be a better description.
The ink on the stamps come from ink held in the grooves in the printing plate. This makes fine detail more visible, though is not good for lage areas of colour.
This explains the cross-hatching behind the values, though I'm puzzled why it was not simply done on the master die.
I do not know how many stamps were in a sheet, and I do not recall seeing blocks of these, though individual stamps are common.
The Michel catalogue, whilst getting the first series correct, lists this series as Lithographed, which is plain wrong.
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Hiscocks H15b Perf. 12 | Hiscocks H16b Perf. 11¾ | Hiscocks H17a Perf. 10½ | Hiscocks H18b Perf. 12 with typical cancel. |
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Hiscocks H19 Perf. 9½ x 9¼ | Hiscocks H20c Perf. 12¾ | Hiscocks H21a Perf. 10½ | Hiscocks H22 Perf. 10½ x 10¾ |
Hiscocks added the following 4 notes:
Note 1.
It is not clear whether the perf. 12½ quoted for several values of the engraved series is significant, or if not, whether it is a variant on 12 or 13 — a variant of 12 seems more likely since 12¼ occurs and I have yet to see 12¾. |
Note 2. 'Specimens' are at least as common as mint and fetch perhaps 75% of mint prices. |
Note 3.
The most common cancellation in my experience is two black pen strokes — a cross or part of a cross depending on how many stamps were on the original form. Oval cancellations including the name of the town and 'TELEGRAPH' or 'TELEGRAF' in various configurations, usually in black but also in blue, etc., are also common and other cancellations, e.g. box, are known. |
Note 4.
Except in a few cases, I do not really have sufficient information to reflect relative rarities of different perforations in the prices. I have therefore used Morley's relativities which could be somewhat arbitrary. |
My note: Used prices are for handstamp cancels. Half price for pen cancelled.
Telegraph cancel on postage stamp (1901, half scale).
Telegraph cancel on postage stamp (1890).
This one (courtesy of Jeff Turnbull) has a perfin of Ing. Eisler Food products, Vienna.
According to John Barefoot, these are listed in postal stationery catalogues such as Michel.
Not having that, I will list what I know about by whatever criteria seems appropriate.
(240 dpi)
1885 Imperf. Plain white or coloured back. This is a 5 minute card for use on the line between Vienna and Brünn(Brno), Moravia (now Czech Republic).
Type 1, RH1 "Sprechkarte zur telephonischen Correspondenz zwischen ..." - Courtesy of Dr Joe on ebay.
1886 Similar to above, but wording changed, ("Sprechen" for "Correspondenz")
Type 2, RH2 "Sprechkarte zum telephonischen Sprechen zwischen ..." - From RL.
RH # | Hisc. | Type | Description | Mint | Used |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RH1 | - | 1 | 1fl black and purple on white | - | - |
RH1a | - | 1 | black and purple on tan | - | - |
RH2 | - | 2 | 1fl black and purple on white | - | - |
1888 Similar to above, but now just Karte - 5 Minutes on Local Line
Type 3, RH3 "Karte zum telephonischen Sprechen im Localverkehr ..." - From RL.
1888 Imperf. Plain colored backs. These are 5 minute 'interurbanen' (interurban) line (between Vienna and Budapest) cards.
According to Wikipedia this line was "completed by 1890, with all major cities being connected during the next three years".
Type 4, RH4, 5 & 6 - Courtesy of Dr Joe on ebay.
This shows three different ways that these were cancelled
The first is dated 29/1/89, the last looks like 14/12/89.
I'm puzzled why these have different values if they are all for 5 minutes on the inter-urban line and all used about the same time.
They were also all used in Vienna. Presumably the rate was determined by the distance on the line.
The image below shows what is cut off in use:
Image courtesy of Spink and Son.
RH # | Hisc. | Type | Description | Mint | Used |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RH3 | - | 3 | 20 kr black and grey on pink | - | - |
RH4 | - | 4 | 20 kr black and grey on pink | - | - |
RH5 | - | 4 | 30 kr black and grey on green | - | - |
RH6 | - | 4 | 50 kr black and grey on orange | - | - |
1890 ? Imperf. This card for work on the inter-urban line.
(I am unsure of the translation of Werkehre.)
Type 5, RH7 Werkehre without time limit.
1888 Similar to above, but bi-lingual version, German and Czech.
Probably for sale in Brno (Brünn).
Type 6, RH8 "Karte / Lístek" - From RL.
RH # | Hisc. | Type | Description | Mint | Used |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RH7 | - | 5 | 1fl black and purple on cream | - | - |
RH8 | - | 6 | 1 fl black and violet on white | - | - |
1890 ? Imperf. Plain colored back. This card for urgent work on the inter-urban line.
(I am unsure of the translation of Werkehre.)
Type 7, RH9 with dated back - Courtesy of Dr Joe on ebay.
I have seen a bi-lingual version of this also, but do not have an image that I can use. I will reserve a space for this as Type 8.
RH # | Hisc. | Type | Description | Mint | Used |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RH9 | - | 7 | 3fl black, grey and purple on cream | - | - |
RH10 | - | 8 | 3fl black, grey and purple on cream | - | - |
1905 New design, unfranked, no time limit - Inter-Urban Line.
Type 9, RH11 No printed franking, can be used for any time/distance.
At the bottom it says Issue October 1905, but this was used in 1916. - From RL.
1906 ? New design - Local Line.
Type 10, RH12 "20h Sprechkarte Lokalverkehr " - From RL.
1908 ? New design - Local Line.
Type 11, RH13 "20h Karte Lokalverkehr " - From RL.
RH # | Hisc. | Type | Description | Mint | Used |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RH11 | - | 9 | Unfranked black and green | - | - |
RH12 | - | 10 | 20h black and brown on cream | - | - |
RH13 | - | 11 | 20h brown on cream | - | - |
This is a 3 minute local for Vienna
Type 12, RH14 (half size) - Courtesy of Spink and Son. John Barefoot dates this at 1894 and the one below at 1900.
Type 12, RH15 - From RL
1908 ? New design.
Type 13, RH16 "20h Karte Lokalverkehr " - From RL.
RH # | Hisc. | Type | Description | Mint | Used |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RH14 | - | 12 | 1894? 10 heller blue-grey and salmon / cream | - | - |
RH15 | - | 12 | 1900? 20 heller green and gold / cream | - | - |
RH16 | - | 13 | 1908 20 heller brown | - | - |
Issued around 1900 by the K. K. St. B. State Railway.
Thin hard Pelure ('onionskin') paper. No watermark. Perf. 12½.
Type 14, RH17 - Taken from page 12 of Hiscocks' book.
RH # | Hisc. | Type | Description | Mint | Used |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RH17 | H1 | 14 | 20 heller black / yellow | - | - |
Hiscocks added the following note:
Note.
This stamp, which was brought to my attention during the last stages of the preparation of this book, was apparently issued around 1900 by the K. K. St. B. ('Kaiser Königlich Stadts Bahnen' or 'Royal Imperial State Railway'?). Other values and issues may exist. |
The system in Vienna began operations on March 19th 1875, initially with only 10 offices (within the central region.
The compressors and air storagetanks were in the Laurenzerbuilding at the "Fleischmarkt" (Meat Market).
This half sized image (of front and back) shows an item from 1879 (I have a similar one dated 1876).
A 5kr printed stamp with a Pneumatic Station cancel from Vienna meat market.
Instructions for using, printed on the back.
This half sized image shows an interesting item.
This is folded in half, but there is nothing printed on the parts that you cannot see.
the 20 kr stamp is normal size and printed directly onto the stationery.
This half sized image shows a Correspondence Card.
This has a plain back with only the written correspondence which is dated 26/4.85. On the left is a list of the Offices and areas served by them.
The address on the front identifies the office to which it should be sent. It has a 10 kr impressed stamp.
This half sized image shows the front and back of a letter.
This letter has a similar list of Offices on the flap of the back. The front has a 20 kr impressed stamp, and is dated 5/3/85.
This half sized image shows a sample of them.
Steve Hiscocks made a start on cataloguing seals of the world in a book he published in 2007.
It was his hope to update it later, but unfortunately that was not to be.
His original book can be viewed at
Telegraph Seals: A World Catalogue. There are links from the pages to my updates.
Alternatively you can view the latest page for Austria.
Last updated 1st. Dec. 2018
©Copyright Steve Panting 2012/13/14/15/16/17/18 except where stated.
Permission is hereby granted to copy material for which the copyright is owned by myself, on condition that any data is not altered and this website is given credit.