Swarovski crystal - Austria / II. Republic of Austria 2004

This special stamp block is an absolute world first: for the first time, special stamps are provided with crystals. The Austrian company Swarovski enjoys a worldwide reputation. Not only because of the famous crystals and crystal products but also because of their small sparkling works of art for collectors. Such a work of art is also this precious block of stamps, which arose from a collaboration between the Austrian Post AG and Swarovski. In 1892, Daniel Swarovski patented a machine that for the first time made it possible to grind crystal stones faster and more perfectly than by hand, an invention that revolutionized crystal processing. Together with his brother-in-law Franz Weis and Armand Kosmann, Daniel Swarovski founded today's Swarovski in 1895 and moved from his native Bohemia to Tyrol. From 1908, Daniel Swarovski, together with his sons, sought the ideal formula for crystal production and built special smelting furnaces. In 1913 Swarowski was finally able to start his own crystal production. These gems were of such brilliance and impeccability that they immediately attracted attention everywhere. Over the next few years, Swarovski has expanded its product range with numerous high-quality products such as Reflective Reflectors and Precision Optical Devices and Luster Crystals (Strass®). In 1995, Swarovski celebrated its 100th anniversary and opened the Swarovski Crystal Worlds as a highlight in Wattens / Tyrol: a 2000 square meter underground labyrinth of space dipped in millions of sparkling and glittering crystals in light and colors, taking visitors into a fantasy world designed by the artist André Heller , Under his direction was also the rebuilding of the Crystal Worlds 2003, inspirational Wunderkammern now expand the Crystal Worlds.