Stamps of the Austrian Empire, 1850-1858

This gallery shows the first stamps issued by the Austrian Empire, from June 1, 1850 until 1858. Several types and papers can be distinguished; from 1850 hand made paper was used and from 1854 machine paper. This gallery presents the values from 1 to 9 kreuzer, mostly with identifiable postmarks. The names of current places and countries are added. Unused stamps are scarce.

1 kreuzer edit

This issue is known in various colour shades, ranging from yellow to brown-orange.

Orange shades edit

Hand paper only.

Yellow shades edit

2 kreuzer edit

3 kreuzer edit

Type according to Ferchenbauer

Hand paper type Ia edit

Colour shades: vermilion, carmine or red.

Hand paper type Ib edit

Hand paper type IIIa edit

Transition types edit

Type Ib retouched: position of the 3, Farbfleck. On machine paper only (1854-1855).

Machine paper IIIa edit

Machine paper IIIb edit

To be identified edit

6 kreuzer edit

Type according to Ferchenbauer

Hand paper type I edit

Machine paper type III edit

9 kreuzer edit

Type I edit

The 9 is below kreuzer. Only on Handpaper.

Newspaper stamps, issued 1851-1856 edit

Type according to Ferchenbauer