FOR YOUTH 2009: 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ELEK BENEDEK_S BIRTH
Date of issue: 2 April 2009
Elek Benedek (Kisbacon, 30 Sept 1859 – 17 Aug 1929) studied
humanities in Székelyudvarhely, and then in Budapest. As a student he
was involved in collecting folk stories and then became a journalist for
Budapesti Hírlap and other newspapers. He was a Member of Parliament
between 1887 and 1892. In his speeches in Parliament he was concerned
with the issues of literature for children, folk poetry and language,
and public education. He took part in editing several dailies and
periodicals, and also published under a pseudonym. In 1889 he launched
the first patriotic children’s periodical of literary worth, Az Én
Újságom, together with Lajos Pósa. He also worked for the children’s
periodical Jó Pajtás and was involved in editing a series of youth books
called Little Library, later published under his own name. In 1900 he
became a member of the Kisfaludy Society. His adaptations of tales for
children were for decades the most popular children’s books in Hungary.
Benedek also wrote poems, plays, novels for girls, historical works and
works of literary history. In 1921 he returned to his place of birth,
where he lived there until his death, editing a periodical for children,
Cimbora. (Source:
http://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedek_Elek)
The miniature sheet with a surcharge is composed in a graphic
language recalling story book illustrations. It features a portrait of
the writer and the heroes of some of his stories – in the order of the
stamps – Puss in Boots, the Three Little Pigs, and the Diamond Penny.
The first day cover for the miniature sheet is illustrated by a scene
from the fairy tale of the Starry-eyed Shepherd, while the postmark
employs a stylised drawing of the character of the little cockerel. Proceeds from the surcharge of the miniature sheet are
devoted by Magyar Posta to youth stamp collecting. The amount of the surcharge may not be used to pay for postage!
SO
Order code: 2009060040011 (miniature sheet) - 2009060060012 (FDC)
Date of issue: 2 April 2009
Printed by Pénzjegynyomda
Designed by Edit Szalma
Imperforated size of the miniature sheet; 140 x 60 mm. Perforated size of the stamp in it: 30 x 40 mm.
120,000 copies of the miniature sheet issued.
More information: philately@posta.hu
