175 years - Austria / II. Republic of Austria 2014 - 62 Euro Cent

The picturesque and crystal-clear lake in the middle of the Upper Austrian Salzkammergut is one of the most beautiful lakes in Austria. Especially in the warm months attracts countless visitors not only in, but also on the water - the Traunsee shipping has a long and great tradition: 175 years ago was here for the first time a lake by a steamboat. On the occasion of this special anniversary, Austrian Post is issuing a special stamp. On March 13, 1829, the English John Andrews and Joseph Prichard founded the "First k. k. privileged Danube Steamship Company ", in short DDSG. As head of the shipyard they hired their compatriot Joseph J. Ruston. In 1836 Andrews left the DDSG and soon after founded the Traunsee Shipping. The beginning tourism as well as the salt transport of the saline Ebensee made the Traunsee a promising source of income. Ruston joined Andrews and designed the steamer "Sophie", which was officially launched on May 15, 1839. The steamship on the Traunsee soon experienced its heyday. The tourism of the region grew steadily and with it the demand for tours, passenger transports and freight trips. In 1858 the second steamer "Elisabeth" was inaugurated, a few years later the 52 meter long ship "Gisela" was built in Rustons shipyard in Vienna - equipped with a steam engine from Prague. In 1872, the "Gisela" with a concession for 501 passengers and a crew of six men first anchor. It should follow two smaller steamer, but with the construction of roads and the rail connection between Traunkirchen and Ebensee gradually reduced the economic importance of the Traunsee shipping. In the summer of 1950 Karl Eder founded a shipping company on the Traunsee. His special excursion offers such as the "castle tour" quickly found favor with the sea visitors. In 1977 he took over the Traunsee shipping, and since 1984, his son Karlheinz the operation extremely successful. Today, a total of five ships are in operation, from the listed "Gisela" on the nostalgic motor ship "MS Rudolf Ippisch" (built in 1928) to the state-of-the-art "MS Poseidon". The ships invite to various round trips, but can also be rented for special occasions. Even in winter, the Traunsee navigation offers romantic panoramic rides. The New Year's Eve cruise with a menu is a special highlight every year on Lake Traunsee. The special stamp "175 Years Traunsee Shipping" was painted by the graphic designer Tristan Fischer with pastel crayons and shows the "Gisela" - one of the oldest steamboats in the world and one of the biggest attractions on the Traunsee.