| SEMI-POSTAL
ISSUES 1913-1940
(THE REGENCY)
Nos.
B72-76
TYPE: SP10, 11, 12, 13, 14
ISSUED: January 21, 1923
PROCESS: Typographed
PAPER: Watermarked double cross
PERF.: 14, 12
DESIGNED BY: (SP10, 11) Elisabeth Kovacs, (SP12, 14) F.
Helbing, (SP13) J. Haranghy
PURPOSE: To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth
of the Hungarian poet, Sandor (Alexander) Petofi.
PICTURE: (10) Statue of Petofi
(11) A griffin
(12) Alexander Petofi
(13) Petofi dying
(14) Petofi Speaking to Populace
HISTORY: Petofi, born in 1823 at Koros, became the national
poet of Hungary; was a prolific writer of poems; changed
his family name from Petrovics (of Croatian origin) to
the purely Magyar form, Petofi, for which he was disowned
by his father. Mystery surrounds his death - was in the
battle of Segesvar on July 31, 1849, and never found thereafter.
It may be his body was trampled to death in the fight.
Many pretenders came to light for some thirty years thereafter.
NOTES: Stamps sold at double face value, each customer
to receive only one set. Thereafter, on March 31, 1923,
the remainders were given to a charitable organization.
First day covers are very scarce. No surtax is shown on
the stamps.
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