Stamps of Hungary
Charity Stamps of 1913-1917
The first semi-postal or charity stamps of Hungary appeared in 1913. These are regular definitive and commemorative postage stamps, but they have a "value added tax" or "surtax" on them, designed to raise money for national organizations, public events, and public charities.
These surtaxed stamps were issued during the time of World War I, when a
great deal of charity money was required to support the war effort and
to help the families of Hungarian veterans.
The seventeen charity stamps of Hungary shown above (Sc. #B1-B17) were issued on November 20, 1913 to raise money for aid to flood victims. The stamps are typographed on paper with WMK 137, and they are perforated 14.
The stamp designs and denominations are the same as the contemporary Turul Flying above the Crown of Saint Stephen and the right-facing portrait of King Franz Josef I definitive postage stamps. Each stamp has a tablet added below the bottom frame line containing the Hungarian inscription "Árvízkárosultaknak külön 2 Filler" meaning "Flood victims additional two filler", thus each stamp had a two Filler surcharge.
During 1913, the Danube River flooded just below Budapest, causing widespread devastation to one of Hungary's heaviest-populated areas.
The seventeen charity stamps of Hungary shown above (Sc. #B18-B34) were overprinted in 1914 to raise money for aid to wartime widows and orphans. The stamps are typographed on paper with WMK 137, and they are perforated 14.
The stamp designs and denominations are the same as the contemporary charity stamps of 1913. Each stamp features the Hungarian overprint
"Hadisegély Özvegyeknek és árváknak két fillér" meaning "Aid to military widows and orphans two Filler", thus each stamp had a two Filler surcharge.
The eighteen Hungarian postage stamps shown above (Sc. #B35-B52) were overprinted on January 1, 1915 to raise money for aid to wartime widows and orphans. The stamps are typographed on paper with WMK 137, and they are perforated 14.
The stamp designs and denominations are the same as the contemporary Turul Flying above the Crown of Saint Stephen and the right-facing portrait of King Franz Josef I
definitive postage stamps. Each stamp features the Hungarian overprint
"Hadisegély Özvegyeknek és árváknak két fillér" meaning "Aid to military widows and orphans two Filler", thus each stamp had a two Filler surcharge.
The 60 F. denomination comes in two types. The first type (Sc. #B48) features large letters in the overprint. The second type (Sc. #B52) features smaller letters in the overprint.
The three charity stamps of Hungary shown above were issued in 1916 and 1917, with the 2 Filler surtax being for aid to military families.
The three designs feature:
- 10 F. + 2 F. (1916 - Sc. #B53) - Soldier fighting.
- 15 F. + 2 F. (1916 - Sc. #B54) - Soldier fighting.
- 40 F. + 2 F. (1917 - Sc. #B55) - Turul with sword.
The two postage stamps of Hungary shown above were overprinted and surcharged on September 15, 1917 in connection with the War Exhibition of Archduke Josef, with the rather large surcharge benefiting the war effort.
The stamp design depicts peasants harvesting. Each stamp features the Hungarian overprint
"József főherceg vezérezredes hadí kiállitása 1 korona" meaning "Archduke Josef military leader 1 Korona", thus each stamp had a one Korona surcharge.
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Charity Stamps of 1913-1917
