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Description
The application of “Crystal Fabrics”, a world-wide unique invention by Swarovski, to the two stamps of the block creates an innovative philatelic collector product. The light refracted by the crystal produces a glitter effect that is otherwise impossible on stamps and that brings life to the fireworks illustrated. Watching fireworks displays is a captivating experience shared by people from different cultures. Whether on New Year's Day, on national holidays or on other occasions, extravagant fireworks are always synonymous with celebration and exaltation. The stamp showing Hong Kong presents a panoramic view of the Victoria Harbour, one of the most famous natural harbours in the world. Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsular on both sides of the harbour are glamorously lit. With the night sky splendidly illuminated by colourful fireworks, this dazzling city certainly lives up to its reputation as “Pearl of the Orient”. In Austria, Vienna in particular is where fireworks have been developed to perfection. The special location of the city on the Danube, in part surrounded by mountains, means that large-scale fireworks provide millions of people with an excellent view. For up to thirty minutes, the sky above the city is lit up by increasingly artistic displays. This is the highlight that concludes many a celebration on the banks of the “Blue Danube” that Johann Strauss celebrated in his waltzes over a hundred years ago. The stamp shows a firework display in the Vienna Prater, a former hunting reserve of the Austrian Imperial family converted into a recreational area for the Viennese population in 1766. The jolly mood of the amusement park is perfectly reflected by the bursting fireworks. The stamp is dominated by the Giant Ferris Wheel, the oldest in the world and the most visible landmark of Vienna erected in 1897 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph I. In 1945 it was largely destroyed and, after its reconstruction, became a popular attraction of the first order.
This SET of stamps includes:
a block of 2 mint stamps
a block of 2 franked stamps
a black and white proof copy of the stamps
and
a First Day Cover featuring both stamps.
THE CRYSTAL LODGE (LONDON) LIMITED
On Ebay we only accept PayPal for both UK and international orders. We prefer that payment is made within 3 days of you reserving an item. If for some reason, you can’t do this, please ask first! You do not need to wait for an invoice from us, unless you are purchasing more than one item and you are not in the UK, in which case, just let us know you have completed your shopping, and we’ll adjust your shipping charges accordingly.
What happens next
Your items will be securely wrapped with plenty of packaging material to protect them. We use new cardboard boxes for this purpose, rather than recycle old ones, as they afford better protection.
All items have been checked and inspected for quality and are security marked. If for any reason you wish to return an item, our security marks must still be on the piece, otherwise we cannot refund you. This protects us from those people who attempt to defraud sellers by swopping their non-mint pieces for the newly arrived mint piece and then attempting to get a refund. Our items are checked by two people on arrival here and any non-mint items returned to the sender. Then just before an item leaves here on its way to the buyer, a third member of team will give the piece a final inspection before it is despatched.
Shipping
We aim to despatch on the same working day (Monday to Friday) if you order early enough, or next working day if it is too late to go same day. We have our own franking machine, and Royal Mail collect directly from us every weekday (Monday to Friday). Orders received late on Friday and through the weekend are despatched on Monday, although this doesn’t really hold it up as franked mail receives greater priority via Royal Mail, as does anything collected from our premises.
For the UK, including Channel Islands we use 1st class recorded delivery for the majority of parcels, and Special Delivery for those of a higher value. I’m afraid we do not have facilities for you to either view items in advance or to collect them from us. For international orders, we use airmail with international signed for service or tracked and signed, dependent on your location.
While on the subject of international deliveries, please do not ask us to under-value a parcel because of Customs fees, or mark an item as a “gift”. This is fraudulent and we cannot get involved in such things. Please check ahead of buying internationally, whether any import duties will be applied to your goods.
WE COMBINE SHIPPING – JUST LET US KNOW YOU HAVE FINISHED SHOPPING, AND WE WILL ADJUST THE SHIPPING CHARGE ON YOUR INVOICE FOR YOU.
When the item arrives
We would appreciate it if you left positive feedback for us on receipt of your goods, so that we know they have arrived safely.
Refunds
If you have purchased the wrong item by mistake, then we may agree to refund you, but you will be required to fund the return postage yourself. The item must be returned in its original condition, in the full original packaging. If, on the rare occasion that an item is damaged in transit, we would ask that you return it to us, again still in its original packaging and if possible in the original cardboard box used for transit wrapped in brown paper so that we receive the original packaging material and all the various original postal markings in order that we can show the relevant carrier what has happened to the item. If we have a replacement item, we will send it out to you by return, if not we will refund you once the item has been received.
If you are sending something back, please let us know first so that we can discuss options and make sure there is someone here to receive your parcel. Any packages/letters and returns etc should be sent to our PO Box address, not the Registered Company address. The Registered Company address is not a shop and no stock is held there.
Any problems/questions
If there is a problem – please contact us first, rather than leaving negative feedback or low star rankings. If you don’t feel you can give a good star rating – again, explain to us first, as we can resolve the issue for you.
Offers
We do NOT accept offers on our items unless we have the “Best Offer” option showing on the listing – no exceptions. So, if we do not have the best offer option available, please do not contact us offering us a lower price as refusal often offends!
Last but not least
The items listed in our Ebay shop represent only a small proportion of our stock. We only sell retired/discontinued figurines, so you will not find Swarovski’s current range in our listings. If there is something you are looking for and can’t find it, just contact us as we have a lot of specialist knowledge, plus contacts around the world, so if we don't have the item in stock we can track it down for you!
Buy from us with complete confidence - we are a limited company, registered with Companies House. We have a long trading history and are the only company recommended by Swarovski UK to clients seeking to buy or sell retired pieces.
