20251917/18 Postage Stamps - Miniature Sheet

After the death of Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1916, postage stamps featuring the portrait of his successor, Emperor Karl I, were issued.

The issue date for the new stamps with values of 15, 20, 25, and 30 heller was 10 May 1917. Following another postage rate increase in September 1918, the most frequently used 20-heller denomination was printed in a darker opal green shade. The 1917/18 postage stamps were designed by the graphic artist and engraver Alfred Cossmann and were produced using the letterpress printing method without a watermark, utilising different types of paper. All four denominations feature the same portrait of the last Austrian emperor, Karl I, in uniform, set within an oval frame surrounded by a geometric pattern. They remained valid for postage until 31 October 1920. This issue marked the conclusion of the "Monarchy postage stamps" series, which provided an insight into Austria’s postal history during the Habsburg Monarchy.