Austria’s latest commemorative stamp in its “Austria, land of music” series features a harp in the foreground, while the background features the score of Harp Sonata No. 1 by Czech harpist and composer Jean-Baptiste Krumpholz (1742–1790). Issued Sept. 10, the €1 harp stamp covers the rate for a small letter or postcard mailed within Austria. Kirsten Lubach designed the stamp, which was printed in a quantity of 350,000 on small sheets containing 10 stamps each. The small sheet shows excerpts from the Krumpholz sonata score, sourced from the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. The upper edge of the sheet features a stylized close-up of a harp’s neck, highlighting the intricate mechanism where the strings pass between the discs into the tuning pegs.
Since 2020, Austria has issued a commemorative stamp featuring one instrument annually in its “Austria, land of music” series. So far, the series has featured a double bass, clarinet, trombone, cello, and bassoon. For more information, visit the Austrian postal service website.
