The Austrian Charity Issue of 1926 depicts scenes from the famous German saga of the 12th century, "The Nibelungen Lied," which was utilised by the composer Wagner for his well known series of operas.
I am taking only one of the stamps for my story—the 8 plus 2 Gr. Indigo, which portrays the ship of Gunther, King of Burgundy.
News reached the court of King Gunter of a Queen of matchless beauty called Brunhild, who lived in a country called Isenland far over the sea. She was a lady of haughty disposi¬tion, but possessed of mighty strength—so mighty indeed that she forced every man who came to woo her to challenge her to the masculine sports of throwing the spear, of leap¬ing, and of casting the stone. Every man she had met had lost his life for presuming to make the attempt.
Gunther determined to make the voyage in an endeavour to win the hand of this wonder¬ful woman; and Siegfried, Prince of Netherland, was requested to give his assistance. Seigfried consented on the condition that, on their return with Brunhild, he should marry the King's sister, Kriemhild.
After great preparations, the day came for sailing, and Gunther embarked on a strong ship which was steered by Siegfried. Siegfried carried with him the miraculous Tarn Cap, which had the power to render it's wearer invisible and give him the strength of twelve men.
They sailed prosperously down the Rhine and on the twelfth day arrived at the strong and Magnificent castle of Isenstein in the land of Brunhild. Gunther informed the Queen of his intentions and she immediately ordered him to prepare for the three contests. At the commencement, Seigfried, donning the Tarn Cap, thus making himself invisible, caught hold of Gunther and told him to imitate his actions, whilst he, possessing the strength of twelve men, pitted it against the great strength of Brunhild.
The mighty Brunhild was beaten in all three sports, and although amazed, acclaimed Gunther as a worthy suitor.
At a celebration banquet of great splendour the betrothal of Brunhild and Gunther was announced but Gunther was not the only happy man—Seigfried was too.
SG637 Article by Ernest Argyle.