Fraternity-Testvériség, 1958 (36. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)

1958-02-01 / 2. szám

2

FRATERNITY

KOSSUTH STAMPS

Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield announced approval of the recommendations of the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, whereby two “Champions of Liberty” will be honored on United States postage stamps during 1958.

Simon Bolivar and Lajos Kossuth will be the subjects for this year’s “Champions of Liberty” stamps to be released in Washington, D. C., on the anniversaries of their births — July 24, 1958, and September 19, 1958, respectively.

Postmaster General Summerfield, in announcing these selections, said: “The Department is proud to honor these men who contributed so much to the welfare of mankind. We believe the issuance of these “Champions of Liberty” stamps honoring foreign-born leaders in mankind’s struggle for freedom enables the Post Office Department to make a unique contribution to the national efforts for better world-wide relations.”

At the same time Mr. Summerfield approved several policy decision proposed by the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee. The first provides that not more than two “Champions of Liberty” stamps will be issued in any calendar year.

The second stipulates that future “Champions of Liberty” stamps will be simultaneously issued in two denominations — one for the current domestic letter rate for out-of-town mail (now 3c) and the other for the current international rate for first class surface mail (now 8c),

Initial printing orders for the “Champions of Liberty” stamps are expected to be in quantities of 120 million for domestic-use stamps and 40 million for international use.

Lajos (Louis) Kossuth, noted Hungarian patriot, was born at Monok in the then Austro-Hungarian Empire on September 19, 1802. When 39 years old he became editor of the “Pesti Hírlap”, a party organ, and shortly thereafter was the leading force in the revolution seeking to liberate Hungary from Austrian domination. The revolt collapsed in 1849 and Kossuth became a fugitive. He was acclaimed in France, England and the United States, and, until his death on March 20, 1894, persisted in his hopes for Hungarian freedom. He has continued to this day to inspire the Hungarian people in their efforts to obtain freedom and national independenc.