The stamp shows a Medieval manuscript from the library of Melk Abbey.
In the cover were four maxicards and three mint souvenir sheets.
The stamp also shows the Kurhaus, which was built between 1884 and 1886 in a Neorenaissance style. This stamp was issued on 23rd April 2022 making Austria the first country to issue a stamp for the Great Spas. Such a pity that there was not an agreement for a joint issue of all seven countries or at least a few.
For Alexander Roda Roda's 150th birthday the Austrian Post issued the big souvenir sheet used here on 22nd April.
The stamp shows enamel produced by Riess (issued 28-01-2022).
A personalised stamp and a special postmark about the Bicentenary of Schubert's time in Sankt Pölten were used here. Schubert was invited to the town by the local bishop and there he composed parts of his opera Alfonso und Estrella.
The stamp shows Burg Rapottenstein, which you can also find on the card. It was never conquered and is one of the best preserved castles in Austria.
The second card shows some views of the Austrian State of Salzburg. I have visited this state multiple times, but saw not much more than the capital, the city of Salzburg.
The stamp on this card shows Schloss Moosham in the State of Salzburg. It is still in private property, but can be visited and was used as filming location. In the late 17th century the castle gained notoriety by serving as the administrative center during the Zaubererjackl witch trials. These trials led to the execution of 139 people.
Shown on the third card is the Kufstein Fortress. The Kufstein Fortress was first mentioned in the 13th century. In its history it was often besieged and its possesion changed between Austria and Bavaria. Today it is one of the most famous sights of Tyrol. I see this castle every year on my way to my summer holidays in Tyrol and visited it once in 2016.
You probably already guessed by now, but the connection between the cards are the stamps. The four stamps were issued in a souvenir sheet on 4th September 2021 and the special about them is the art style, as they are all designed in the style of the Dispenser stamps, which apparently gained some popularity among stamp collectors. I wrote a bit about Dispenser stamps here. This stamp of course shows Kufstein Fortress and like all the others it was cancelled with the First Day Special Postmark.
The last card shows castles in Carinthia.
The last stamp shows Falkenstein Castle. I think it is funny to compare the image on the stamp with that one on the card in the lower left corner. Here it looks like the castle is located deep in the Alps, but on the card you can see a large bridge in the background.
The card was sent with a special postmark about the Lower Austrian Children Summer Games.
The main stamp (issued 05-06-2021) used here is from the Austrian series about wine regions, the Thermenregion in Lower Austria in particular. Two definitives were used to reach the correct postage and all three stamps were cancelled with the First Day Special Postmark of the wine stamp.
No, this card was not sent in September. In Austria it is just possible to get special postmarks for a very long time and it was used on this matching personalised Beethoven stamp.
One of the Austrian Christmas stamps of last year (issued 08-11-2019) was used on the card. Actually there should be a Swarovski crystal on this stamp, but unfortunately it got lost during the journey. Here you can see the stamp in its full glory. A special postmark in the shape of a Christmas tree was used to cancel the stamp.
