New Issue: Eminent Philatelists XII and XIII (Hungary)

So, this is a set that I just HAVE to review. How many countries dedicate stamps to celebrate PHILATELISTS?

Not many, although I have just discovered that Hungary has for many years and in 2017 Greece did the same with this interesting set (below). No women on there, I see... but fantastic to recognise philatelists.

These stamps from Hungary are the latest in a serious of "personalised stamps" (I think a bit like the Smilers stamps some of you will remember) and they are basically a definitive stamp with a commemorative label attached. They honour Dr István Flóderer and Dr László Surányi.

The stamp showing Dr Flóderer is at the top of the page. Here is the stamp showing Dr Surányi.

These are two very different designs. I am not very knowledgeable about Hungarian philatelists, so I will let the WOPA website introduce them to you.

Dr István Flóderer (1907–1991) was one of the most prominent figures in the history of Hungarian pharmaceutical research and Hungarian paraphilately. He acquired the basis of his professional knowledge at his father’s “Megváltó” (Saviour) pharmacy in Csepreg, and then went on to obtain a degree in medicine. A Rockefeller scholarship enabled him to further pursue his scientific development in the United States. Upon his return, he worked as the head of the laboratory at the Wander pharmaceutical company until, in 1953, he was awarded a Candidate of Pharmaceutical Sciences degree in recognition of his distinguished research work. Apart from his profession, Flóderer was a passionate collector of Hungarian and Austrian revenue stamps from a young age, and through his tireless efforts he saved an enormous number of official archival documentary stamps from destruction. In the fullness of time, he became a recognised leader in this field, heading the stamp collecting club at the EGYT pharmaceutical factory and the paraphilately section of the National Federation of Hungarian Philatelists, initialling rare items removed from his collection with the distinctive, tiny red letters “FI”. In addition to his successes at domestic and international exhibitions, he also produced two seminal works. After his service label catalogue, he published his magnum opus, A magyar okmánybélyegek kézikönyv [The Handbook of Hungarian Revenue Stamps], in 1991, which brought about a revival in the collecting of revenue stamps in Hungary.

Dr László Surányi (1915–1997) was a figure who defined an era in modern Hungarian philately. Although he initially worked in the Pioneer Movement and then, from 1959, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the development of stamp collecting became the main vocation of his life. As vice-president of the National Federation of Hungarian Philatelists, he campaigned effectively to reform the federation’s structures, to establish relations with the West, and to fill the gaps in specialist literature. Surányi is credited with editing A magyar bélyegek monográfiája [A Monograph of Hungarian Stamps], overseeing the journal Philatelica, and launching A magyar bélyegek kézikönyve [The Handbook of Hungarian Stamps]. At an international level, he almost single-handedly represented Hungarian collectors, maintaining close ties with Gary Ryan and Ferenc Orbán. His exceptional energy is demonstrated by the fact that, at the age of 74, he was the driving force behind the establishment of the Hungarian Society for Philatelic Research in 1989, and he retained his enviable, youthful vigour right up until his death at the age of 82.

Design Quality: The stamps have been designed by graphic artist Imre Benedek. They show the two philatelists in monochrome images and in the background covers of their well-known books. It's a straightforward idea but I think it is a good one and the stamps tell us about their work as well as show us what they look like. it is a shame there isn't a better photograph of Dr Flóderer. 7/10

Theme and Subject Choice: It's a great subject choice. Royal Mail, are you reading this? 10/10

Historical and Cultural Relevance: Dr Flóderer and Dr Surányi may not be well-known by people not into stamps but they were both very important people in the world of Hungarian philately. They deserve to be remembered. 8/10

Creativity and Innovation: These are well designed and they are fitting tributes but they perhaps lack creative flair. 6/10

Collectability: I would love to thing these stamps would have a huge appeal to other philatelists! But realistically, probably not. They're not the usual thematic stamps and because they're "personalised" stamps - basically, labels attached to stamps - they may not be as much interest. 5/10

Personal Appeal: I am very pleased that Hungary is celebrating its philatelists! And quite rightly too! 8/10 Overall Score: 44/60