| SEMI-POSTAL
ISSUES 1913-1940
(THE REGENCY)
Nos.
B103-107
TYPE: SP41-45
ISSUED: October 27, 1939
PROCESS: Photogravure
PAPER: Watermarked double cross on pyramid
PERF.: 12x12½
DESIGNED BY: Alexander (Sandor) Legrady
PURPOSE: To commemorate the First National Protestant
Day.
PICTURE: (SP41) A tablet showing the name of Deva Biro
Matyas, and the date "1545" of his death; as
a Catholic priest in 1529 he came under the influence
of Martin Luther, and later spread the Protestant gospel.
A second tablet shows the name of Juhasz Melius Peter,
and the date "1572," born 1536 died 1572. Became
a Protestant clergyman and returned to Hungary as one
of the first Magyar Protestant Bishops. The tablet on
the Matayas stamp is inscribed John 12, 24-26, while the
one on the Peter stamp reads John 15, 1-8, being verses
from books of the bible.
(SP42) Karoli Gaspar, seated, date "1590" his
death (born 1529). He was the first to translate the Holy
Bible into the Magyar language. He holds the Szent Biblia
(Holy Bible) and the printing press is also shown. The
word "Vizsoly" indicates it was at Vizsoly that
the translation was printed.
(SP43) Albert Molnar Czenczi (1574-1607) shown seated
writing in a Soltar (Psalter). A protestant clergyman,
translater of hymns, translated the Psalms into Hungarian.
A bar of music in upper right is indicative of his musical
ability.
(SP44) Prince Gabriel Bethlen, (1580-1629) a ruler of
Transylvania, soldier, Protestant leader. He is reported
to have read the Bible twenty five times, and helped the
Jesuit Kaldy to translate and print the latter's version
of the Scriptures.
(SP45) Zsuzsanna Lorantfy (1600-1660) the wife of George
Rakoczy, laid the foundations for the English Protestant
college at Sarospatak, aided in establishing Protestant
schools and churches. Shown also is her family coat of
arms (three hills above a log from which two lime tree
leaves grow).
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