84th stamp day: Balatonfüred is 800 years old
Date of issue: 8 April 2011
The proceeds from the surcharge of the Stamp Day
block (HUF 200 per block sold) will be transferred by Magyar Posta to
the National Federation of Hungarian Philatelists to support organised
stamp collecting in Hungary. Balatonfüred is a small town with 13,500 inhabitants on the northern shore of Lake Balaton among
rolling hills. It is
embraced by hills to the north and the lake to the south. Its name, contrary to popular belief, is not derived from the
Hungarian
verb to bathe (fürödni) but refers to a place with quails (fürj). It
was first mentioned in the description of the estates of Tihany Abbey in
1211. Its tourism dates back centuries and, after its mineral water was
classified as medicinal water and its source as a medicinal spring, it
became a spa town in 1971. Since 1987 it has borne the title
International Town of Grapes and Wine. Its reputation mainly rests on
its Mediterranean-like climate and its carbonated springs.
Balatonfüred
and its surroundings lie on the “Balaton Riviera”, which is so called
due to the special features of the micro climate in the locality. The
exchange of air between the land and the lake and the constant movement
of air gives the locals clean, dust-free air. The State Coronary
Hospital operates here, making use of the spring water for medicinal
purposes. This is where the famous Nobel Prize winner, the Hindu poet,
Rabindranath Tagore, recovered his health in 1926, after whom a
promenade was later named. The town is also rich in places of historic
interest, most of which have been renovated and converted. Balatonfüred
started
developing in the Age of Reform, in the 1800s. It was a
favourite meeting place for politicians and artists with a progressive
spirit, and this is when its historic and cultural role was the
greatest. The town has numerous monuments, and important buildings and
traditions from this age. It was here in 1825 that the first Anna Ball
was held in Horváth House, and in 1831 that the poet Sándor Kisfaludy
opened the first permanent theatre in Transdanubia from donations, and
help from the Abbey and the locals. (Source: balaton-fured.hu)
The building of Vaszary Villa in Balatonfüred is shown in the stamp design of the numbered block with a surcharge while the border features the lakeside of the Balaton, and statues in public spaces in the town. These include The Fisherman and the Ferryman, Rabindranath Tagore, Sándor Kisfaludy, Saint Stephen, The Lizard, Count István Széchenyi, Mór Jókai and Lujza Blaha. The first day cover for the block is adorned with the marina in Balatonfüred. The HUF 90 stamp of the set features the Anna Grand Hotel in Balatonfüred and the HUF 115 stamp the Balatonfüred Coronary Hospital. The Round Church and Gallery, and the Roman Catholic (Red) Church are shown on the first day cover for the set. The commemorative postmark has a logo related to the town’s 800th anniversary.
SO
Order code: 2011080050211 (set) 2011090030011 (block) 2011080060012 (set FDC) 2011090060012 (block FDC)
Date of issue: 8 April 2011
Total face value: HUF 600+200
Number of copies issued: 80,000 blocks, 500,000 sets (50 stamps/sheet)
Perforated size of the stamps: 30 x 40 mm
Imperforated size of the block: 90 x 60 mm
Printing method: 4 colour offset
Printed by Pénzjegynyomda
Designed by Barnabás Baticz , Photo by József Hajdú
