Paint strips
Varnish strips on postage stamps serve as a protective measure against improper use of already used postage stamps.
Postage stamps with lacquer stripes were the first to be issued in Austria in 1901 . The fiber paper that was used before the lacquer strips were introduced was now covered with glossy lacquer strips before being issued. As early as the end of 1899, numerous experiments were made with regard to size and course. Some of these proofs went on sale.
The lacquer strips partially dissolve with the brand image in water (or other liquids). This makes it very difficult to remove the postmark in order to be able to use the stamps again.
The approximately 2 mm wide lacquer strips ran from top left to bottom right with a spacing of about 7 mm. The thickness and distance of the lacquer strips was changed several times because one was never really satisfied with the result. From February 1905 they were finally abandoned altogether.
In Russia , paint strips were also used on a similar principle from 1909 to 1915.
literature
- Ulrich Ferchenbauer: Austria 1850–1918. Self-published, Vienna 2000.
- Austria Netto Catalog
- Michel catalog