The special exhibition at the Liechtenstein PostMuseum sheds light on the work of Eugen Verling (1891-1968), who was the first Liechtenstein artist to design a Liechtenstein stamp 100 years ago. He designed 26 stamps between 1924 and 1946.

The special exhibition includes sketches and all original designs for his stamps as well as his unrealized designs for design competitions. Verling also designed stamps and postage stamps for Liechtenstein. Further graphic works for advertising purposes as well as watercolors and an oil painting round off the special exhibition. With this retrospective on the occasion of its 100th anniversary, the Liechtenstein PostMuseum is paying tribute to Eugen Verling as a stamp designer. The first Liechtenstein stamp designed by a Liechtenstein citizen was issued in 1924. The design for the stamp motif "Winegrower in the vineyard" was created by Eugen Verling (1891-1968).

Verling grew up in Vaduz, began training as a painter and upholsterer in St. Gallen at the age of 16 and moved there. He then worked as an embroidery artist in the then flourishing St. Gallen embroidery industry, but the collapse of the St. Gallen embroidery industry during the First World War (191
The collapse of the St. Gallen embroidery industry during the First World War (191 - 4-18) forced Verling to give up his profession and to eke out a living as a freelance artist and graphic designer during difficult times. Despite moving to St. Gallen, he remained closely connected to his home community of Vaduz and repeatedly drew old houses and countless flowers of the local flora.
Verling was able to demonstrate his graphic talent in illustrations for advertising purposes and labels. He also created portraits of well-known Liechtenstein personalities. The family coats of arms and family trees he drew are ornaments in Liechtenstein living rooms.
Late recognition In 1963, he presented his works to a wide audience in the exhibition "When Vaduz was still a village". It was only from this point onwards that the Vaduz artist received the recognition he deserved in Liechtenstein. As the quote "... that he would be remembered a little more" from a letter to the editor in the daily newspaper Liechtensteiner Vaterland from January 4, 1939 suggests, he was all too often ignored when commissions were awarded to Liechtenstein artists.
In 1999 - more than 30 years after Verling's death - three stamps were issued in his honor, based on original paintings by Verling. These three paintings are on loan in the exhibition alongside the stamp designs.

"National coat of arms" from the series "87th birthday of Prince Johann II" Executed design, 1927 © Liechtensteinisches LandesMuseum

The stamps of Eugen Verling
Verling was commissioned to design postage stamp series with a total of 26 stamps and other postage and cancel stamps for Liechtenstein. After his first stamp 100 years ago, ten further issues followed until 1953. However, he created a total of 74 designs, but a large number of them were never realized. Particularly in his old age, he came away empty-handed from design competitions, producing his last designs just one year before his death. But it is precisely his unrealized stamp designs that show the artist's versatility. In addition to watercolor painting, Verling also used linocuts.
In keeping with the quote from the letter to the editor, the special exhibition puts the Liechtenstein artist in the spotlight. It is intended to commemorate Verling and his stamps, which paved the way for the next generation of Liechtenstein stamp designers 100 years ago.
The special exhibition "... that he would be remembered a little more" - The stamps of Eugen Verling at the Liechtenstein PostMuseum is dedicated to the stamp work of Eugen Verling, who was the first Liechtenstein artist to design the first Liechtenstein stamp 100 years ago. It shows the great artistic diversity of Eugen Verling as a stamp designer by means of original designs, issue stamps and other philatelic features. Paintings and illustrations for advertising purposes complement his artistic work. The special exhibition comprises around 150 exhibits. They span the period from 1919 with a self-portrait of the artist to 1999 with a tribute to Eugen Verlings, symbolically depicted on three stamps.
The collection of the Liechtensteinisches LandesMuseum contains the original designs of the stamps issued in Liechtenstein. All the stamp designs created by Eugen Verling are presented together with other graphic works by Verling. Additional loans round off the special exhibition.
August 29, 2024 to March 23, 2025
www.landesmuseum.li