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Key Fact
Description
This imperforate stamp from Austria-Hungary, issued in 1914, features portraits of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie Chotek. It bears the denomination of 40 Heller and is designated as K.u.K. Militärpost, indicating its use by the Austro-Hungarian military postal service. The stamp was issued on June 28, 1914, a date tragically significant as it was the day the Archduke was assassinated, leading to the outbreak of World War I.
History
The stamp commemorates Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Sophie Chotek, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife. Their assassination in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, the very date this stamp was issued, served as the immediate trigger for the July Crisis and the subsequent outbreak of World War I. The 'K.u.K. Militärpost' inscription highlights the stamp's connection to the military operations of the vast Austro-Hungarian Empire during this tumultuous period.
Facts
This stamp is historically poignant due to its issue date coinciding precisely with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the event that plunged Europe into World War I. The depiction of the couple together on the stamp adds a layer of personal tragedy to the looming conflict. Its imperforate nature and military postal designation also offer unique collecting characteristics for philatelists interested in the period's postal history and wartime ephemera.
Value Fact
Stamps commemorating significant historical figures and events, especially those tied to the beginning of major conflicts like WWI, often attract collector interest. The condition and rarity of this particular imperforate issue, coupled with its direct connection to the Archduke's assassination, can influence its market value. Comparable sales of similar military postal issues from Austria-Hungary in similar condition would provide a benchmark for its current collectible worth.

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