Postage stamps

Until 1912 Liechtenstein used Austrian stamps. Its own stamps first came out on 1 February 1912 – 5, 10 and 25 heller showing Prince Johann II – designed by Koloman Moser and engraved by Ferdinand Schirnböck. They were still issued by the Austrian post, hence the inscription 'K. K. Österr. Post im Fürstentum Liechtenstein'. The principality won postal independence only after the monarchy fell.

Sources: Wikipedia: Postage stamps and postal history of Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein's second issue came out on 14 June 1917, again designed by Koloman Moser, engraved by Ferdinand Schirnböck and printed by the Court and State Printing Office in Vienna. The portrait values of 10 to 25 heller with Prince Johann II came with a redesigned frame and in new colours, and the two lowest – 3 and 5 heller – carried the princely arms instead of the portrait. The stamps still read K·K·OESTERR·POST, as the principality's post was run by Austria.

Sources: Belvedere, Koloman Moser – Werkverzeichnis: Briefmarke Fürstentum Liechtenstein (2. Ausgabe), Stamp Encyclopedia: Liechtenstein

Johann II became prince on 12 November 1858, shortly after his eighteenth birthday. Exactly 60 years later, on 12 November 1918, a 20-heller stamp appeared with the years 1858 and 1918 in the upper corners. That same day Austria became a republic; its post went on running the principality's until the end of January 1921, when Switzerland took over. The stamp was designed by Koloman Moser, who did not live to see it issued: he died on 18 October 1918.

Sources: Wikipedia (de): Postgeschichte und Briefmarken von Liechtenstein, Wikipedia: Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein, Belvedere, Koloman Moser – Werkverzeichnis: Briefmarke 60. Regierungsjubiläum Fürst Johann II., Wikipedia: Koloman Moser