Canadian Postal Museum presents Liechtenstein’s treasures

Posted on: 05/10/2010

Canadian Postal Museum presents
 Liechtenstein’s treasures

Gatineau, Quebec, October 5, 2010 — The Canadian Postal Museum (CPM),is pleased to present Philatelic Treasures from Liechtenstein, on display from October 5, 2010 to late February 2011. The exhibition, which celebrates World Post Day on October 9, 2010, showcases 27 beautiful first-day covers and postcards from the little—and little-known—country of Liechtenstein.

Philatelic Treasures from Liechtenstein is installed in the Postal Museum’s Collectors’ Corner, which is dedicated to fascinating exhibitions developed by private collectors in collaboration with staff. In this case, long-time Museum volunteer Joe Murray, a retired schoolteacher and principal, offered to use his philatelic collection to educate young people and the general public about Liechtenstein and its remarkable postal system.

“The exhibition Philatelic Treasures from Liechtenstein shows that the Canadian Postal Museum appeals to more than collectors and experts,” said Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. “It’s a terrific place for all Canadians to learn about other parts of the world through the fascinating medium of postage stamps and other aspects of postal systems.”

Liechtenstein is a German-speaking principality located in the Upper Rhine valley of the Alps, between Austria to the east and Switzerland to the west. Its mountainous terrain covers barely 160 square kilometres, with a population of 35,000. The City of Ottawa is 17 times larger (2,796 km2) and 25 times more populated (900,000). Liechtenstein has the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the world, largely due to its financial industry.

Collectors have prized Liechtenstein’s colourful stamps, postmarks and cancellations since the constitutional monarchy began issuing them in 1912. The stamps in Philatelic Treasures from Liechtenstein feature a variety of subjects, including the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, well-known scenes such as Vaduz Castle and the Alps, and members of Liechtenstein’s royal family.

The Canadian Postal Museum, located within the Canadian Museum of Civilization, has a mandate to collect, research and interpret the material heritage of postal communications for Canadians young and old. It is the only museum in Canada dedicated solely to this subject. Canada Post is the Presenting Sponsor of the Canadian Postal Museum.

Writing Contest – World Post Day
As part of World Post Day on October 9, 2010, the Canadian Postal Museum invites you to send a short text depicting an exceptional letter you have received or sent. The authors of the first ten stories will graciously receive a Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation publication related to postal history. Please send your text by 6 p.m. on October 9 to melanie.ouimet-sarazin@historymuseum.ca.
To get more information about World Post Day, please visit www.upu.int/en/the-upu/world-