Today I have selected a first-day cover franked with a 3 sFR stamp with the image of Princess Gina of Liechtenstein. Despite being registered and express mail, the letter is still under-franked with this high-value stamp. A perforation variation, a plate error, a phase print and a proof print are also known from the stamp. The letter was cancelled on 22.12.1945 in Vaduz. The stamp also has a counterpart (value 2sFR) with the image of her husband Prince Franz Josef II. Both stamps were designed by Ferdinand Lorber, produced by Courvoisier using halftone intaglio printing and are perforated 113/4.
Princess Gina of Liechtenstein, born Georgina von Wilczek on October 24, 1921, married Prince Franz Josef II in 1943 and had five children. This is the first stamp issued in her honor after her marriage. The stamp issued earlier in 1943 still shows her as Countess Georgina, not yet married. A very similar stamp to the one presented here was issued in 1951. Even though the profiles of the Princess are very similar on both stamps, they differ in their hairstyles. The 1951 stamp also appears with different perforations and, in particular, with different watermarks.
After that, 6 more stamps with her portrait were issued until her death.
Interestingly, three “thematic” stamps were also issued for this Princess. These honour her commitment to humanitarian projects, in particular her founding and longstanding leadership of the Liechtenstein Red Cross from 1945. Her manner earned her great respect among the population. It is said that she embodied the ideal image of a monarch, as she always put the welfare of her people first. Princess Gina died on October 18, 1989.