overprint - Austria / II. Republic of Austria 2004 - 55 Euro Cent

The permanent stamp of 0.51 euros with the image of "Schönlaterngasse" in Vienna was the first of the definitive stamps to be artistically overprinted with the new standard value 55 cents. The artist Adolf Tuma therefore designed a small image of the landmark, the basilisk, for the brand with the new value and set it above the old face value in the middle of the house. Although the alley has its name from the "Beautiful Lantern", whose replica is hanging on the house opposite the "Basilisk House", the Basilisk House is the most famous attraction of the charming little Old Viennese street. The house dates back to the 13th century and is said to have been known since 1212. Presumably, the legend has arisen as follows: In the context of well excavation work, the normal Tegelschicht of Vienna soil may have been pierced. From the underlying layer of sand, biting gases could have penetrated, which would explain the myth of the poisonous breath of the basilisk. A grotesquely shaped piece of sandstone, as found in the Vienna Basin, would have been enough in the time of superstition and fears to create the stories of the horrible beast with the poisonous breath in the depths of the well. The basilisk was already large on the ATS 10, - end mark of 2000 shown, now decorates its small image the euro mark "Schönlaterngasse".