Hungarian stamps 2021 kicked off with a great Lunar New Year issue. There’s a rich field covering history, literature, stamp collecting and religious themes. I had a field day researching the designers and stamps. If you know where to look, there’s a lot of information available.
You can download pdf information sheets for each issue, going back to 2012. They are handy to have around for future references. The single sheet pdfs are available in either Hungarian or English. The English translations are solid, which is a relief because Hungarian really doesn’t do well with Google translate. In the past, I’ve tapped Hungarian friends for user friendly translations. We had a hell of a chuckle over the Google Translations when drafting this article -> LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin’s visit to Hungary 29 March 1931. Two thirds of the translation was complete gibberish. Amusing, but frustrating as well.
I collect info sheets and cobble them together to create reference catalogue. I bind them all up as a single pdf and add relevant links and tags to make them searchable. The sheets offered by post offices (not all do this by the way) tend to have better information and images than the commercial stamp catalogues plus they are free. Bookmarking Magyar Posta would be a smart idea.
Hungarian stamps 2021 highlights
Two stamps, so far, rise to the top for me. The first is the thoroughly delightful Zsolt Vidák design. Vidák’s Jean de la Fontaine commemorative incorporates so many elements of de la Fontaine’s well-known tales. I was instantly familiar with the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse, The Wolf and the Stork, The Two Bulls and the Frog and The Grasshopper and the Ant tales. I’ve included links for anyone unfamiliar with the fables.
I was hoping there would be another “fun” stamp this year. 2020’s Frakk, the Terror of Cats made me laugh aloud when I came across it. The sheet has the single most malevolent cat I’ve ever seen. I think I would have been disappointed if Magyar Posta failed to put out a fun issue.
The second stamp, 550th anniversary of Albrecht Dürer’s birth, offers a topic that can’t fail to please. Seriously, how could you go wrong with a Dürer print. The cancel for this set is worth collecting alone. As a bonus, collectors will also get Dürer’s portrait on the FDC. I’ve included an interesting little snippet about the rhino engraving below.
A few thoughts on researching
Researching designers and history of each stamp is an on-going job. Sometimes I have no luck, or I can’t verify the information I find. Most of the sources I use are in a different language and it’s difficult to understand the content. I often mention the difficulties with Google Translate. An automated translation is no substitute for a human.
Software generated translations miss nuances in the language and the differences in sentence construction. Recently I had a conversation about this with a friend who lent me a book of Hungarian poets. It was a decent translation, but while reading, I kept thinking I was missing so much. He went through one of his favourite poems by Miklós Radnóti and explained how much of the imagery was tied up in Hungarian history. The translation captured some of it but, to him, screwed up the mood and emotions.
Miklos Radnoti (1909-1944) issued November 11th, 1972
As a result, if I have doubts, I leave the details out.
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February Hungarian stamps 2021
Year of the Ox
8th stamp in series
2 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, downloadable information pdfs
POSTMARK PLACE: Budapest
Designer: Ármin Benjámin Mandel
Previous design: 2019 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships
Release date: Feb. 8, 2021
See more Year of the Ox stamps for 2021 here:
900th anniversary of the foundation of the Premonstratensian Order
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
POSTMARK PLACE: Budapest
In the stamp design János Vaszary’s painting Saint Norbert can be seen. The original is in the baroque church built in honour of Saint John the Baptist in Zsámbék. The first day cover features a page from the Premonstratensian Tét (Csút) breviary, kept in the library of the Eötvös Loránd University. Magyar Posta Ltd. – 900th anniversary of the foundation of canons regular of Premontré
Designer: Imre Benedek
Previous designs include Eminent Philatelists series, Regions and Towns series, Year of the Goat and 2015 Raoul Wallenberg Memorial Year
Photographer: Márk Botond Németh
Release date: Feb. 10, 2021
30th Anniversary of the Formation of the Visegrád Group
1 stamp, miniature sheet, FDC, cancel
POSTMARK PLACE: Budapest
Joint issue with Czech, Polish, Hungarian and Slovak Posts. Each country issued a stamp based on Polish designer Agnieszka Sobczyńska’s work. For an interesting article on the stamp design read the government of Poland’s press release International postage stamp to commemorate the Visegrad Group’s 30th anniversary – Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Poland – Gov.pl website (www.gov.pl)
The objectives of the Visegrád Group are to strengthen the stability of the Central European region, to jointly represent the economic, diplomatic, and political interests of the member states and to coordinate their measures. Magyar Posta Ltd. – 30th anniversary of the formation of the Visegrád Group
Designer: Agnieszka Sobczyńska
Cover & postmark designer: Barnabás Baticz
Release date: Feb. 15, 2021
March
400th Anniversary of Jean de la Fontaine’s birth
(July 8, 1621 – 13 April 1695)
French poet and writer
4 stamps, miniature sheet, FDC with sheet, cancel
POSTMARK PLACE: Budapest
Wikipedia has a substantial writeup on both de la Fontaine & his fables. Jean de La Fontaine – Wikipedia and La Fontaine’s Fables – Wikipedia. Don’t forget to check out the References and Further Reading sections.
Each stamp denomination on the special miniature sheet includes illustrations of famous fables: The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse, The Wolf and the Stork, The Two Bulls and the Frog and The Grasshopper and the Ant. The framework drawing shows a drawing composition of the fable The Raven and the Fox.
The special envelope features a portrait of Jean de La Fontaine, and the postmark also contains the image of a raven with a piece of cheese in its beak from the fable called The Raven and the Fox. Magyar Posta Ltd. – For youth 2021: Jean De La Fontaine was born 400 years ago
Designer: Zsolt Vidák
Vidák began designing stamps for Magyar Posta in 2005. When I looked over his artwork, I was surprised to find I recognised his Crow Collection – illustrations of different cities around Hungary. His distinctive style won first prize in the 2017 Nexofil awards for the Best Offset Stamp with his 2016 stamp Countries and Cities.
Release date: Mar. 8, 2021
550th anniversary of Albrecht Dürer’s birth
(Nuremberg, 21 May 1471 – Nuremberg, 6 April 1528)
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
POSTMARK PLACE: Budapest
The original image was made in 1515 based on a sketch and description by an unknown artist of an Indian rhinoceros which had been transported to Lisbon and was the only live specimen of its species in Europe for a long time. Although the woodcut is not a precise representation of a rhinoceros, it has been said of the image that “probably no other animal picture has exerted such a profound influence on the arts”. Magyar Posta Ltd. – Albrecht Dürer was born 550 years ago
Designer: György Kara
Previous designs include 2014 450th anniversary of the birth of William Shakespeare, 2018 Hungarian State Railways 150th anniversary and 2020 Buda Castle funicular
Release date: Mar. 8, 2021
100th anniversary of József Romhányi’s birth
(Nagytétény, 8 March 1921 – Budapest, 7 May 1983)
Writer, poet, literary translator & artist
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
POSTMARK PLACE: Budapest
For information on Romhányi József see the Hungarian Wiki page. The English version lacks substance. You can use Google Translate to get the basics.
Designer: Glória Hefelle
Hefelle is a prolific designer for Magyar Posta. Among her designs: 2020 Puskás Arena and the Zugliget chairlift, 2018 Heroes of the WW1, 2015 Europa: Old Toys and Edith Piaf, 2014 Klári Tolnay,
Release date: Mar. 8, 2021
800th anniversary of the founding of the Dominican order in Hungary
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
POSTMARK PLACE: Budapest
The stamp shows a certificate issued in 1485 by the head of province of
the Hungarian Dominican order, on which the seal of the province depicts
a Dominican monk, presumably Saint Dominic, as a preacher. The stamp
features the coat of arms of the order, which also appears on the
postmark. The envelope contains the anniversary logo of the Hungarian
Dominicans.
Designer: Tímea Kalmár
Release date: Mar. 8, 2021
Easter 2021
Painting by Alvaro Pirez (1411 to 1434)
1 stamp, sheet of 50 with barcode strips, FDC, cancel
Halo shines under UV light
POSTMARK PLACE: Budapest
Designer: Barnabás Baticz,
Previous designs include 2020 Christmas, 2019 Easter, 2014 Canonizations of Pope John XXIII and John Paul II, 2012 Folk Treasures
Release date: Mar. 8, 2021
35th LEN European Aquatics Championships
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
POSTMARK PLACE: Budapest
Designer: Krisztián Daniel
Release date: Mar. 29, 2021
2021 April Hungarian stamps
100th Anniversary Miklós Jancsó Birth
(Vác, 27 September 1921 – Budapest, 31 January 2014)
Film director & screenwriter
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
POSTMARK PLACE: Budapest
Designer: András Gábor Máté
Photographer: János Kende, cinematographer
Release date: Apr. 8, 2021
HUNFILEX 2022 Budapest
2 stamps, sheet of 40 tête-bêche stamps with barcode strips, FDC, cancel
POSTMARK PLACE: Budapest
Designer: Imre Benedek
See the Premonstratensian Order stamp for details on Benedek
Release date: Apr. 8, 2021
30th Anniversary Hungarian Civil Guard Association
1 stamp – promotional personalised stamp, FDC
Release date: Apr. 23, 2021
Hungarian stamps 2021 for May
Europa: Endangered National Wildlife – stonechat |steppe polecat
2 stamps, souvenir sheet, cancel, FDC
Designer: Tibor Z. Petényi
Release date: May 5, 2021
Postal History V
5 stamps, FDC, cancel
- electrically assisted bicycle
- an electric three-wheeled delivery vehicle
- an illuminated post sign
- 19t truck, 2019 (to Europe)
- letterbox, 2004
Artist: Barnabás Baticz
Baticz has a long association with Magyar Posta, starting with the HUNPHILEX 2000 Budapest set
Release date: May 5, 2021
Pollinating Insects
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, souvenir sheet
Designer: Agnes Berta
Release date: May 5, 2021
Hungarian Presidency of the Council of Europe
Designer: Attila André Elekes
Release date: May 18, 2021
Benyovszy Memorial Year
1 stamp, sheet of 35, FDC, cancel
Designer: Barnabás Baticz
Release date: May 21, 2021
150 Years of Hungarian Stamp Production
2 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, full set, spec. perf. sheet, imperf sheet
Celebrating the release of first stamps by Hungarian post in 1871. Magyar Posta has an interesting write up explaining how the printing process resulted in poorly printed images for the first stamp:
Because the copperplate presses ordered from Würzburg did not arrive on schedule, lithographic printing had to be used temporarily. However, transferring the design to stone was poorly executed, thus the sovereign’s face on the first stamps was blotchy. These stamps with blotchy images of Franz Joseph came to be known as “Spotty Joes” in philatelic history and are among the most highly prized Hungarian stamp rarities.
Magyar Posta Ltd. – 150 years of hungarian stamp production
Eventually, 6 lithograph stamps were released, with better images. When the copperplates showed up, Magyar postal administration issued replacements for the previous issues. Both the first lithograph and copperplate stamps are represented in the 2021 souvenir sheet.
Designer: Attila André Elekes
Release date: May 28, 2021
Eminent Philatelists IV – Frigyes Mirkó Poppovits (Zimony, 1863 – Budapest, 1928)
1 stamp, cancel, sheet of 35
Designer: Imre Benedek
The background shows various stamps and covers collected by Poppovits, who donated his entire collection to the Hungarian museum. This became the backbone of their philately collection.
Release date: May 28, 2021
Eminent Philatelists V – Miklós Rédey (Tata, 1868 – Budapest, 1931)
1 stamp, cancel, sheet of 35
Designer: Imre Benedek
Release date: May 28, 2021
Hungarian stamps 2021 for June
32nd Summer Olympic Games
1 stamp, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
The cancel showcases the new logo for the Hungarian Olympic team, MAGYAROCK
Designer: Ágnes Berta
Release date; June 4, 2021
EURO 2020™ European football championship
1 stamp, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
Photo: MTI/KKBK
Designer: Orsolya Kara
Release date; June 4, 2021
Rákóczi Palace in Borša
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
Borša – Birthplace of František Rákóczi II. – vkport.sk
Designer: Eszter Domé
Photo: Róbert Németi
Release date: June 19, 2021
Hungarian stamps 2021 for June
Sopron – The Most Loyal City
1 stamp on a souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
Photographers: Tamás Griechisch, Patrik Szeniczei
Designer: Barnabás Baticz
Release date: July 5, 2021
Balatonfüred, Csorna, Győr and Nagyatád
Regions and Towns IV
4 stamps, 4 FDCs, 4 cancels
Photographers: Ákos Gáspár, Ákos Vörös (Balatonfüred), József Antal, Gábor Imre Nagy (Csorna), Gábor Marcali (Győr), Endre Huszár (Nagyatád)
Designer: Imre Benedek
Release date: July 5, 2021
Locomotiv GT, Writing this song for you
Hungarian rock classics II
1 stamp on a souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
Designer: Tibor Z. Petényi
Release date: July 5, 2021
August
EUROPEAN QUADRUPEDAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
Designer: Ágnes Kamaras
Photo: János Váraljai (envelope)
Release date: Aug. 4, 2021
20th Temafila Stamp Exhibition
1 stamp, cancel, sheets of 35
Designer: Anita Laczkó
Release date: August 27, 2021
15th Elgyűsz Stamp Exhibition
1 stamp, cancel, sheets of 35
Designer: Anita Laczkó
Release date: August 27, 2021
September
52nd International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest
souvenir sheets – standard sheet with black numbering, special edition with red numbers adorned with gold ink
1 stamp on a souvenir sheet (standard black #), special souvenir sheet (red number with gold ink), FDC, cancel, special set
Designer: István Weisenburger
Release date: September 1, 2021
Kukori and Kotkoda
3rd in cartoon character series
3 stamps on a souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
Cartoon that ran on Hungarian TV from 1970-1972
Designer: István Weisenburger
Release date: September 2, 2021
Castles in Hungary
Second in series
8 stamps on a souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
Designer: Eszter Domé
Release date: September 2, 2021
JÁNOS PILINSZKY (1921-1981)
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
János Pilinszky (1921 – 1981) served with the Hungarian army in WWII. Harmadnapon (On the Third Day, 1959) established him as a courageous witness to the horrors of mid-twentieth century Europe. Two selections of his work have appeared in English: Selected Poems, translated by Ted Hughes and János Csokits (Carcanet, 1976) — which was later expanded into The Desert of Love (Anvil, 1989)— and Crater, translated by Peter Jay (Anvil, 1978). János Pilinszky | Poetry Foundation
You can find translations of Pilinszky’s poems on the Poetry Foundation site. Don’t miss the accompanying Translator’s Notes that offer a bit of insightinto the translations and the poems themselves. If you like Hungarian poetry, then these translations should be satisfying.
Designer: Tamás Péter Takács
Original photo: András Szebeni, HUNGART ©
Release date: September 14, 2021
One with Nature – World of Hunting and Nature Exhibition
8 stamps, sheet of 40, 1 stamp on a souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel
Souvenir sheet features portrait of János Pilinszky (1921 – 1981) and a fragment from his poem Golden Age (Aranykori töredék)
“The sun is visible from every rooftop”
Designer: Pál Remete
Release date: September 25, 2021
October
Christmas 2021
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, 4 special cancels, sheet of 50
Centre part of the stamp contains varnished sparkling snow flake that smells of pine when rubbed.
Designer: Krisztián Daniel
Release date: October 25, 2021
Find more great stamps here:
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