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Sunday, October 7, 2018

Austria 2015 - Leather Pants



Release Date 24 September 2015
Number of Copies: 150000
Design: D. Swarovski KG, Wattens, Tyrol
Type: Block Issue
Stamp Size: 34.83 mm x 41.50 mm x 1 mm
Face Value: 6.30 Euro
Printed by: D. Swarovski KG, Wattens, Tyrol
Printing Style: Alcantara Laserschnitt with XILION Flat Backs in Golden Shadow

In 2004, special stamps featuring Swarovski crystals were presented for the first time, which were presented as a world first in the Swarovski Crystal Worlds. The cooperation with the internationally renowned company Swarovski, which produces high-quality crystals in the Tyrolean town of Wattens for more than 120 years, is continued with this unconventional edition: Swarovski crystals adorn a special stamp made of alcantara leather in the form of alpine leather trousers.

About Swarovski

Swarovski offers a comprehensive product portfolio characterized by unique quality, craftsmanship and creativity. The company was founded in Austria in 1895 and develops, produces and sells jewelery, accessories and lighting solutions in addition to high-quality crystals, synthetic gemstones and genuine gemstones. The Crystal business unit, which celebrates its 120th anniversary this year and is run by the family in its fifth generation, has approximately 2,560 stores worldwide in approximately 170 countries. More than 25,000 employees generated sales of around 2.33 billion euros in 2014. Together with its sister companies Swarovski Optik (optical precision instruments) and Tyrolit (grinding tools), the Crystal business unit forms the Swarovski Group. In 2014, the group, with more than 30,000 employees, generated sales of around 3.05 billion euros. In 2012, the Swarovski Foundation was founded, which - in the philanthropic tradition of company founder Daniel Swarovski - promotes creativity and culture and works for the benefit of mankind and the protection of natural resources. The combination of Swarovski crystals with leather pants is actually obvious: both are something of a symbol of the Alpine region and are often associated with Austria. So the leather pants for many Tyroleans is a fashionable basic equipment. Usually it is made of deerskin and hand-sewn, shows in everyday rather short, on holidays, however, as Kniebundhose. Suspenders not only ensure a good fit, but are often artistically embroidered on the crossbar. The buttoned bib is also typical for a traditional leather pants, as emperor Franz Joseph used to hunt more than 100 years ago, as well as the edelweiss or oak leaf embroidery on the trouser legs. Today, many national costume associations are dedicated to the preservation of traditional costumes in the Austrian provinces, and through events such as the Munich Oktoberfest, dirndl and lederhosen are today even considered modern, but usually in less traditional variants.Incidentally, staghorn buttons are usually used on real leather pants, not Swarovski crystals. The high-quality leather stamp with sparkling Swarovski crystals thus combines two traditions characteristic of Austria in a completely new form into a very special little work of art.

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In 2015, Austria issued the first postage stamp made of leather. It is in the shape of a pair of lederhosen and has 6 Swarovski crystals embedded in it.

The combination of Swarovski crystals and a pair of lederhosen is actually obvious. Both are a kind of symbol of the Alpine world and are often associated with Austria. For instance, lederhosen are part of the basic wardrobe for many a Tyrolean. They are usually made out of deerskin, sewn by hand and short for daily wear or in the form of knickerbockers for special occasions. Braces serve to ensure that the trousers sit well and often have fine embroidery work on the cross-piece. The buttoned fly flap is also typical of traditional lederhosen as worn by Emperor Franz Joseph when out hunting over 100 years ago, and the trouser legs are often decorated with edelweiss or oak-leaf embroidery. Many traditional costume associations are today dedicated to the preservation of the traditional costumes in Austria’s provinces, while events such as the Munich Oktoberfest have helped to make the dirndl and the lederhosen modern once again, although in less traditional designs. Incidentally, the buttons on real lederhosen are usually made of buck horn and not Swarovski crystals.

The high-quality leather stamp with sparkling Swarovski crystals thus combines two traditions characteristic of Austria in a completely new way to create a very special miniature work of art.

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