Christmas 2024 FDC
For sending seasonal greetings in 2024, Magyar Posta is issuing a self-adhesive definitive stamp marked Domestic as the indication of value in standard and special editions. The standard edition is in sheets of fifty stamps, while the special edition is a miniature sheet of five stamps. This Christmas, a 15th-century Gothic relief of the Nativity of Jesus adorning a chalice owned by the Museum of the Diocese of Székesfehérvár is featured on the stamp. The stamp was designed by the graphic artist György Kara and produced by Codex Értékpapírnyomda Zrt. The new issues will be available at first day post offices and Filaposta in Hungary from 29 November 2024, and may also be ordered from Magyar Posta’s online store. The chiselled, silver gilt, Gothic chalice dating from the 15th century has enamelled panels on its base with neo-Baroque additions. The chalice came from the noted art collector Miklós Jankovich (1772-1846) to the parish of Rácalmás. Ottokár Prohászka, Bishop of Székesfehérvár (1905-1927), had it restored at his own expense and donated the chalice to the local seminary. The Bishop’s generous gesture is regarded as the foundation of the collection of the Museum of the Diocese of Székesfehérvár, which opened in 1938 as the first museum in Hungary to have a diocesan collection. In the interconnecting roundels of the calyx of the chalice, scenes from the life of Jesus are depicted. These scenes are the Annunciation, the Nativity of Jesus and the Adoration of the Magi, followed by Jesus carrying the cross, the dead Christ standing in his tomb and, completing the series of reliefs, the incredulous Thomas touching the side of the risen Lord with his hand. The depiction of the Nativity of Jesus by an unknown goldsmith, which is also featured on the stamp, is based on a vision of Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373). The naked child Jesus is lying on the ground with the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph kneeling in adoration, surrounded by angels singing, and in the upper left corner of the scene the Heavenly Father appears among the clouds. In the top edge of the sheet of 50 stamps, there is a barcode, while the other edges bear festive greetings in Hungarian, English, German and French. A grid, which was previously removed during printing, aids separating the stamps from the sheet. The sheets of 50 stamps were produced by flexo printing, with the addition of varnish for the miniature sheet. The main element of the first day cover is the whole of the chalice, with radial lines imitating the mystical radiance of the eucharistic cup. The main element in the imprint of the special postmark on the first day cover is the star of Bethlehem.
Type | FDC |
Short description | For sending seasonal greetings in 2024, Magyar Posta is issuing a self-adhesive definitive stamp marked Domestic as the indication of value in standard and special editions. |
Printing Office | Codex Zrt. |
Issue year | 2024 |
Issue time | 29 November 2024 |
Theme | religion |
Designer | György Kara |