Swarovski Crystals on Stamps

This commemorative block is an absolute novelty world-wide, the first time that crystals have been applied to a commemorative stamp. The Austrian company Swarovski enjoys a world-wide reputation, not only for its famous crystals and crystal products, but also its small sparkling works of art for collectors. Such a work of art is also shown on this valuable stamp block, the product of a collaboration between the Austrian Post and Swarovski.

It was in 1892 that Daniel Swarovski applied for a patent for a machine that for the first time allowed crystal stones to be ground more quickly and more perfectly than by hand, an invention that revolutionized the processing of crystals. Together with his brother in law Franz Weis and Armand Kosmann, Daniel Swarovski founded today's Swarovski company in 1895, moving from his home in Bohemia to Tyrol.

Austria 2004. Swarovski's Crystal World. Souvenir sheet of two stamps with Swarovski crystals affixed. The block was issued on 20th September 2004 in a cooperation between Swarovski and Austrian Post. Only 800,000 blocks are produced.

Imagining crystals on your stamp. I guess if this baby was to be in the mailbag, I wonder what the postman would do... well, it doesn't worth as much once it has been used anyway. really, guess I was fortunate to get this at the 2004 stamp exhibition in suntec then. only 800,000 of those circulated around the world. really glad to own one of those.