On February 8, 2012 Magyar Posta (Hungary Post) issued a stamp in honor of artist Karoly Ferenczy on the 150th anniversary of his birth in 1862. His painting Morning Sunshine which he painted in 1905, is on the stamp. Designed by Ervin Widerkomm from a photograph by Tibor Mester, the stamp was printed by Penzjegynyomda.
His self portrait, painted in 1910, is on the first day cover. His signature is used in the postmark, as are the dates of his birth and death.
Ferenczy, known as the father of Hungarian impressionism was a leading member of the artist colony of Nagybánya in Transylvania. The Nagybánya artists painted en plein air (in the open air). This meant they painted out of doors and used natural light. Ferenczy was the first of the group to achieve great success. In 1903 his paintings were exhibited in Budapest. In 1906 he became a professor at the School of Drawing (which became the College of Fine Arts) in Budapest. He continued to spend his summers at Nagybánya. He painted landscapes, portraits, Biblical scenes, and nudes.
Ferenczy's wife and children were all artists. His wife Olga Fialka and his oldest son, Valér, were painters. His daughter, Noémi Ferenczy, became a tapestry artist and textile designer. Her twin brother, Béni Ferenczy, was a sculptor and a graphic artist who illustrated many books.
Official First Day Cover for the Hungarian Károly Ferenczy commemorative featuring the artist's self portrait.
Old Ironsides Commemorates War of 1812 Centennial
The frigate USS Constitution, popularly known as Old Ironsides, is the subject of this first class stamp commemorating the centennial of the War of 1812. One of six ships designed by naval architect Joshua Humphries, Old Ironsides is oldest commissioned warship still afloat.
French Art Stamp Features American Painter Edward Hopper
Famous Edward Hopper painting Morning Sun is part of La Poste's long running Musee Imaginaire art stamp series.
Louis Braille Featured on Belarus Stamp
Issued on January 4, 2009, this stamp issue from the Republic of Belarus celebrates Louis Braille. Having lost his sight at the age of 3, Braille went on to invent a writing system based on raised dots that brought reading to blind and vision-impaired people around the world.
400th Anniversary of the Founding of Québec City
Completing a five year series of issues celebrating the first French settlement in North America, on May 16, 2008 Canada and France jointly issued a 52 cent commemorative stamp to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec.
Stamps for Music Lovers: Belgium's 2009 Masters of Music Issue
Music themed topical stamp collectors will enjoy the Belgium 2009 Masters of Music sheetlet. Tastefully rendered by Belgian artist January Maesschalk, the series honors five notable composers: Henry Purcell, GF Handel, Joseph Haydn, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, and Clara Schumann.
Understanding Stamp Values
The subject of stamp valuation is a deceptively complex one. While at first glance, determining the value of a stamp might appear to be a simple matter of turning to one of the many available reference catalogues, in fact the stamp catalogue is just the beginning of the process. This overview presents some of the major topics in stamp valuation, setting you on course to making confident purchases and understanding the ultimate worth of your collection.
The Hradcany Issue - Czechoslovakia's First Stamps
Issued beginning December 1918, the first stamps of Czechoslovakia offer an affordable treat for the philatelic specialist. Known as the Hradcany issue, there are five basic types accompanied by a wealth of variations in color, paper types, perforations and plate flaws.