40 years of women’s voting rights in Liechtenstein
Women’s voting was introduced in the Principality of Liechtenstein in 1984, the last country in Europe to do so. The late introduction was the result of a conservative and patriarchal social structure, deeply rooted in traditional and cultural values. The Catholic Church also had considerable influence and contributed to the maintenance of traditional gender roles. Before its introduction in 1984, several “men’s votes” took place, all of which failed (1968, 1971, 1973), reflecting the conservative attitude of male voters. The major political parties were also reluctant to support women’s suffrage for fear of losing male voters. As a result, women’s suffrage was gradually introduced at the municipal level, starting in Vaduz in 1976, which encouraged national acceptance.
In 1981, 24 women launched the “Sleeping Beauty Campaign”. Through persistent activities, such as public relations work, talks with the government and a campaign at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, women’s suffrage was introduced in 1984, albeit only narrowly with 51.3% and again in a male vote. This meant that all women in Europe could now vote. This narrow majority showed how controversial the issue still was in 1984. Today, women’s suffrage is taken for granted, but the road to it is a reminder of how hard fought for the rights we take for granted today are.
As the right to vote is something very special, a very special stamp was also designed. It is the first in the world to be embroidered on 100 percent linen. Like the embroidered Liechtenstein stamps before it, it was created by the embroidery company Hämmerle & Vogel in Lustenau. It was embroidered with recycled red polyester thread. The many crosses in the cross stitch are intended to symbolize the cross when going to the polls. You can also purchase a matching pocket square (100% cotton; embroidery made from 100% recycled polyester; size: 27 x 27 cm).
- Date of issue: 03.06.2024
- Face value/subject CHF 9.50: The cross – a powerful symbol
- Stamp size: 49 x 60 mm
- Design: Peter Vogel, Lustenau
- Production: Embroidery in white and red – Hämmerle & Vogel GmbH & Co KG, Lustenau
- Material: 100% linen; embroidery made from 100% recycled polyester
- Edition: 25 000
SEPAC – Castle Vaduz
SEPAC is an association of the twelve smallest postal organizations that issue a stamp with a common theme every year. This year’s theme was tourist attractions. Liechtenstein Post chose Vaduz Castle, which was photographed on the stamp looking south from the castle lawn.
Vaduz Castle towers around 120 meters above the capital Vaduz and is visible from afar. It is considered the landmark of Liechtenstein’s capital. The origins of the castle probably date back to the 12th century. The keep, one of the first buildings erected, was later supplemented by a residential tower, which dates back to 1287. The castle was first mentioned in 1322. In 1712, the castle came into the possession of the House of Liechtenstein and, under the name Hohenliechtenstein, served as the seat of the bailiwick with official apartments in the west wing until 1732. It then fell into increasing disrepair until it was thoroughly renovated and restored between 1905 and 1912. Prince Franz Josef II had the castle further extended and made habitable. He moved in with his family in 1939 and took up permanent residence there. It is not possible to visit the castle. However, guided tours in Vaduz and a visit to the Princely Cinema offer interesting insights into the history of the castle and the Princely House.
Date of issue: 03.06.2024- Value/motive: CHF 1.90 Vaduz Castle
- Stamp format: 41.667 x 41.667 mm
- Perforation: 12 ¼ x 12 ¼
- Sheet size: 146 x 208 mm
- Design: Christoph Schöch, Ruggell
- Printing: Offset 4-color CMYK
- Printing company: Gutenberg AG, Schaan
- Paper: Stamp paper FSC 110 g/m2; gummed
- Print run: 31 500
EUROPA – Underwater Flora and Fauna
These stamps are known as EUROPA stamps. They are issued annually by the member states of the Organization of European Postal Operators (PostEurop) and have a common theme. This time it is “Underwater Worlds”. The Liechtenstein Post Office issued a joint print of two stamps. The stamps depict both a plant (the floating pondweed) and a fish (the river perch, also known as Egli in Swiss-speaking countries). The photos were taken in two ponds in the St. Katrinabrunna nature reserve in Balzers.
The floating pondweed provides protection and nutrients for small fish and promotes biodiversity in the pond. It also helps to clarify the water and control algae growth. The 20-40 cm long perch can be found in stagnant and slow-flowing waters up to 1000 meters with stony substrates. It is the most frequently caught fish in Switzerland. Every year, 100 tons are taken from Swiss waters by hobby fishermen and 250 tons by professional fishermen. However, this is not enough to cover demand. Every year, around ten times more perch end up on the table than are caught. The demand is met by imports and perch from aquacultures. As each female spawns up to 300,000 eggs per season, there are enough young fish to ensure that the perch population is not endangered despite the high demand.
Date of issue: 03.06.2024- Stamp value/subject: CHF 1.90 St. Katrinabrunna; CHF 1.90 Egli
- Stamp format: 43.334 x 36.667 mm
- Perforation: 12 ¼ x 12 ¼
- Sheet size: 171 x 120 mm
- Design: Rainer Kühnis, Vaduz
- Printing: Offset 4-color CMYK
- Printing: Gutenberg AG, Schaan
- Paper: Stamp paper FSC 110 g/m2; gummed
- Print run: 34 000
Panorama – rough meadows
The beautiful panoramic stamps, which will also be issued on 3.6.2024, show rough pastures, a “rough pasture in Balzers” and a “rough pasture in Triesen” (left and right, value CHF 1.20 each). Nutrient-poor meadows are species-rich meadows that are characterized by a high level of biodiversity.
These special habitats provide ideal conditions for numerous plant and animal species, including rare and endangered species. Due to their ecological importance, many rough pastures are protected, including all of Liechtenstein’s rough pastures. The nutrient-poor meadows are created through extensive cultivation, which avoids fertilization and intensive use. This preserves the nutrient-poor conditions that are crucial for the characteristic plant diversity. Low-nutrient meadows are not only ecologically valuable, but also scenically attractive and contribute to the preservation of biodiversity.
Tax value/motif:
- CHF 1.20 Lean meadow Balzers left
- CHF 1.20 Lean meadow Balzers right
- CHF 1.20 Lean meadow Triesen left
- CHF 1.20 Lean meadow Triesen right
- Stamp size: 60 x 30 mm
- Perforation: 13 ¼ x 13 ¼
- Sheet size: 208 x 146 mm
- Design:
- Armin Hoop, Ruggell
- Isabella Gassner, Diepoldsau
- Printing Offset 5-color CMYK + silver
- Printer: Cartor Security Printing, Meaucé la Loupe
- Paper: PVA 110 g/m2, gummed
- Print run: 22 000
120th anniversary of Salvador Dalí’s birth
On 3.6.2024, a three-part special miniature sheet will also be issued to mark the 120th birthday of Salvador Dalí “Salvador I-III” (value CHF 1.20 and CHF 1.90 respectively) with his stylized portrait. The individual stamps are then excerpts from this portrait – which then appear almost “surreal” as individual items. The first day cancel takes up Dalí’s characteristic moustache.
Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) was a Spanish painter and one of the most prominent representatives of Surrealism. Famous for his eccentric and imaginative works, Dalí revolutionized the art world of the 20th century. His works are characterized by precise technique, bizarre dreamscapes and a unique visual language that explores the unconscious and the irrational. An example of this can be found on the first day cover in the form of one of his repeatedly used motifs – an elephant on stilted feet. Salvador Dalí often used elephants with stilt legs in his works of art, making them look fragile, unreal and surreal. Elephants symbolize strength and power, but the surreal depiction also gives them a threatening quality. This contrast shows Dalí’s ability to reinterpret familiar motifs and give them other meanings. Contrasts can also be found on the FDC: the coloring of the FDC elephant contrasts with the coloring of the block based on the complementary colors: red/orange vs blue/green; yellow/orange vs blue/violet.
Dalí himself was probably never in Liechtenstein. His connection to Liechtenstein is evident from the creation of plaster models for a gold medal that was produced in 1966 to mark the Prince’s 60th birthday (see reverse right). The combination of Dalí’s surrealist style and the traditional depiction of the Prince and his castle makes this medal a unique work of art. The plaster models can now be found in the Liechtenstein LandesMuseum.
Date of issue: 03.06.2024- Value/motive:
- CHF 1.20 Salvador I
- CHF 1.90 Salvador II
- CHF 1.20 Salvador III
- Stamp size: 25 x 38.334 mm
- Perforation: 12 ¼ x 12 ¼
- Sheet size: 122 x 74 mm
- Design: Armin Hoop, Ruggell
- Printing: Offset 4-color CMYK
- Printing company: Gutenberg AG, Schaan
- Paper: Stamp paper FSC 110 g/m2; gummed
- Print run 20 000