Magyar News, 2000. szeptember-2001. augusztus (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2000-12-01 / 4. szám
MAGYARORSZAG A Thousand Years of Statehood A COLLECTORS VIEW - ßy VIC BERECZ We all know the story. The Hungarian *| tribes began to settle down on the fertile soil in the heart of Europe under the leadership (from about 970) of this father Géza. The young son Vajk was christened István, after the great biblical martyr Stephen. Géza -- with the assistance of Adalbert, Archbishop of Prague — arranged the marriage of István to Gizella of Bavaria. She was the granddaughter of the Bavarian duke who had died at Lechfeld. The world had gone "full circle"-- Géza's plan was in place. In 997, shortly after the wedding, István's father died. Saint Stephen commemorative souvenir sheet of 1938.(5) Stephen's was crowned on Christmas Day in the year of our Lord 1000, by his papal envoy. The Holy Crown used in the ceremony, along with an Apostolic cross and blessing, were provided by the Pope. In this one act, Stephen was established as a temporal king on a par with the other great kings of Europe, and as a spiritual leader with authority over the church organization of Hungary. This event is viewed by most as the beginning of the Hungarian state - as we understand that term today. I was asked to write a short article viewing this millennium celebration from a stamp collector's perspective. Clearly until this year, the millennium of Hungarian statehood could not be celebrated philatelicly. But, the coronation of Stephen and his queen, Gizella, was previously commemorated in stamps on numerous occasions. The 1900 stamp showing the Holy Crown of King Stephen. First though, let's have a look at Hungary's stamp issuing policy and how it has commemorated Stephen's life. The stamp issuing era began in England in 1840. Hungary attained nominal independence 2 1 within the Austro-Hungarian monarchy in 1867. The first distinctly Hungarian stamps were issued in 1871, picturing the then King, Ferenc Józsefi. In 1896, on the millennium of the entry of the Magyars into the Carpathian basin, Hungary printed picture postcards featuring historical scenes including several relating to Stephen's life. But, the first stamp issue that relates directly to Stephen is the socalled "Turul" issue of 1900. It pictures King Stephen's "holy crown" along with the mythical bird, the Turul. The 1930's produced some of Hungary's most beautiful stamps. And, many of them commemorated the great events of the nation's history. Particularly beautiful examples are the 1930 stamp picturing István and Gizella at their coronation(l) that was issued on the 900th anniversary of the death of their son Imre, and the 1938 stamps issued on the occasion of the 900th anniversary of the death of Stephen. King Stephen enthroned. A whole series of stamps were issued to honor the anniversary of Stephen's death. The 1 fillér showing Pope Sylvester presenting the Holy Crown to Bishop Asherik, and the 4 fillér picturing King Stephen enthroned. In addition to this series of regular postage stamps, the semipostal souvenir sheet was issued for the anniversary of Stephen's death. Pope Sylvester II giving the Holy Crown to Bishop Asherik. 2000 Millennium Stamp. 3 Page 4
