1976 Austria Millennium Anniversary Souvenir Sheet

This is a 1976 Austrian philatelic souvenir sheet commemorating 'Tausend Jahre Österreich' (One Thousand Years of Austria), specifically marking the millennium period from 976 to 1976. The sheet features a 3x3 grid consisting of nine individual 2-Schilling postage stamps, each displaying the heraldic coat of arms for one of the nine Austrian federal states: Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Styria, Carinthia, Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Salzburg, Burgenland, and Vienna. The sheet is printed on white security paper with gummed backing. At the top center is the federal coat of arms of the Republic of Austria, flanked by the years 976 and 1976. The bottom bears the elegant script inscription 'Tausend Jahre Österreich'. The stamps are separated by high-quality cross-perforations. The condition appears largely pristine with no visible tears, heavy creasing, or discolorations, though slight natural curling is typical for a souvenir sheet of this age. The printing exhibits sharp registration and vibrant, saturated colors (reds, blues, greens, and golds) within tan parchment-style borders, showcasing the high standard of the Austrian State Printing Works (Österreichische Staatsdruckerei). This piece serves as both a historical document and a high-quality example of mid-20th-century European graphic design and intaglio/offset printing techniques.