Liecht animals 2013

Series of stamps relating to a country’s animal world exist in profusion. This applies to Liechtenstein too. Designs featuring young animals however are a rarity. The “Young animals of the Alpine region” set designed by Erich Beck of Triesenberg depicts four examples of such young mammals native to Liechtenstein’s mountain world. The “Ibex”, Capra ibex (face value CHF 0.85) is a goat species common in the Alps which can climb to altitudes of up to 3,500 m above sea-level. The adult male ibex carries imposing curved horns up to a metre long; the female ibex has only short and slightly curved horns. The “Chamois”, Rupicapra rupicapra (face value CHF 1.00) is another goat-like species; it is found throughout the Alpine region and also in some parts of the Balkans and Carpathians. Both males and females carry circular horns which can grow to up to 25 centimetres in length and are not shed in winter. Frequent mountain hikers in particular will be familiar with the shy “Marmot”, Marmota (face value CHF 1.40) because of its distinctive whistle, used for communicating and giving warnings within the colony. The European marmot, at home in the Alps, the Carpathians, the Tatras and the Pyrenees, lives in extended corridor systems 10 to 70 metres in length. By the way: the “Marmot” stamp is also Liechtenstein’s official SEPAC (Small European Postal Administrations Cooperation) stamp for 2013. The “Alpine hare”, Lepus timidus (face value CHF 1.90) found all over Europe belongs to the hare family. It is noted first and foremost for the fact that its fur changes according to region from a greyish-brown summer coat to a white winter one. The length of its ears also adapts to the different climatic conditions. The colder the habitat, the shorter the ears. The “Young animals of the Alpine region” issue has been produced in practical self-adhesive form.

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Face values / subject
CHF 0.85
Ibex

CHF 1.00
Chamois

CHF 1.40
Marmot

CHF 1.90
Alpine hare

Stamp format
38 x 32 mm

Perforation
12 ¾ x 12

Sheet format
208 x 146 mm

Design
Erich Beck, Triesenberg

Printing
4-colour offset, FM screening
Gutenberg AG, Schaan

Paper
Avery Dennison special stamp paper, white, 96 g/m2,
self-adhesive (water-soluble–>