This stamp was issued by Austria in 2014 and it is the first official porcelain (ceramic) stamp in the world. The stamp is made of fine porcelain and was created in cooperation with the porcelain manufacturer Augarten in Vienna. It was not printed but made in an elaborate, specially developed process.
The white ceramic base was fired for 24 hours at 960 degrees, then glazed and cured at higher temperatures. Only then was the “Viennese Rose” design, the country name and the denomination added. It was then baked at 820 degrees in a further operation to ensure the color fastness.
Thank you Alhena Stamps LLC (http://stores.ebay.com/alhenastamps/) for the image and Unusual Stamp Shop (http://shop.unusualstamp.com/) for the manufacturing information.
