Vorarlberg

6-1/4" x 3-11/16" addressed 'Ersttag' (first day) envelope and cachet by Styria. The postmark is from Lustenau. The stamp was issued May 24, 1968, Stanley Gibbons #1603, Michel #1261. It honors the 100th anniversary of the machine embroidery industry in the Austrian province of Vorarlberg. I have not been able to track down the specific significance of the year 1868.

The following is a rough English translation of the web page http://www.post.at/eshop/philatelieshop/detail.php?prod=680524a :

The embroidery industry in Vorarlberg, which has existed for 100 years, still exerts a substantial influence on the material, social, sociological and cultural aspects of this westernmost and smallest province of Austria. This special industry and related industries are represented in more than half of Vorarlberg's 96 municipalities. An embroidery produced for export will have been touched by persons involved in at least 15 different occupations. The products benefit not only the homeland, but the entire globe. If one discusses embroideries with textile importers in Hong Kong, Sydney, Johannesburg, London or Helsinki, Vorarlberg is mentioned by everyone. By collaborating with color specialists and designers of international reputation, the Vorarlberg embroidery industry has proven that it understands how to influence fashion. In 1966 exports amounted to more than seven million Schillings from 103 countries. Embroideries from Vorarlberg on cotton, linen, wool, tulle, organza and silks cannot be kept from the international fashion scene. The stamp design shows the portrait of a woman with an embroidered wedding veil.
Layout: Stichtiefdruck
Design: Adalbert Pilch
Engraving: Rudolf Toth
Printing: Österreichische Staatsdruckerei
Art: Sonderpostmarke

first posted 1/21/2009