The very creation of this work begins as a fairy tale. Thomas Juranek was a great support to Fritz Puschmann not only in the last years of his life, so he decided to dedicate his life's work to him at the end of his life as a reward! Juranek then repaid him (after Puschmann's death) by transforming his work into two epoch-making books.

The two-volume set contains on more than 840 pages ca. A4 size an unprecedented description of postal developments in the Austrian hereditary lands in the pre-stamp period, but also shows the entire field of classical Austrian philately up to the issue of stamps in 1867, the newspaper system including trial prints of the first newspaper stamps in the world, the postal service D. D. S. G., as well as the Austrian postal service in the Levant. We must not forget the Austrian consular post and the post office in the occupied Danubian principalities during the war of 1854-1857.

As the legend of Austrian philately, Dr. Ulrich Ferchenbauer, writes in the preface of the books, "...this work can render invaluable services to every advanced collector in the further building of his collection..." - and please, this is written by a true legend of Austrian philately!

In addition to the areas mentioned above, the book also displays essays and drafts, as well as the postal stationery up to the year 1867. Let me quote once more from Dr. Ferchenbauer's preface: '...the differences in printing and the peculiarities of perforation are shown and described, including the smallest details; moreover, the book shows the most unique and rare cancellations and frankings in both domestic and foreign mail...'.

Do I need to add more? Perhaps only that the print run of 250 sets is very small, and it is to be expected that the books will sell out very quickly, and become, like many similar works, quite a scarce commodity. Let us end this review with the words of Dr. Ferchenbauer again: 'this is a work that is looking for its equal even internationally'.

The books are hard bound housed in hard case, in German, format 23 x 30 cm, volume 1 has 428 pages, volume 2 has 416 pages, printed on high quality coated paper with hundreds of colour reproductions. Published by author in 2023, 250 copies. ISBN: 978-3-200-07142-1. Selling price is 169,- EUR plus postage.

The books can be ordered by e-mail at: office@briefmarken.co.at or at: coaching@thomas-juranek.com 

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