Hungary, Austro-Hungarian Empire

Hungary was an integral part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1867 until  the end of WWI in 1918.  The House of Habsburg shared power with the separate Hungarian government, and there was a dual constitutional monarchy. Franz Josef I was both the Emperor of Austria, and the King of Hungary. The two capitals of the Monarchy were Vienna in Austria, and Buda (joining adjacent Pest - 1870) in Hungary.

During 1850-1871, the stamps of Austria were also used in Hungary.  But in 1867, the Hungarian Post became independent. The King of Hungary, Franz Josef I, naturally, was featured on the first 1871 Hungarian stamp issue.

 The first issue, with the design as illustrated above, was lithographed in 1871 - part of a six stamp set, quickly followed with an engraved 1871-72 production. Shown above is the 2 Kreuzer orange.

 

 

Note the coloured numeral, and the lack of dot burelage

 

The "Crown of St. Stephen" design was introduced in 1874, and continued until 1899.

The initial issue, shown above, consisted of five stamps, unwatermarked, coloured numerals, and none of the stamps show a "burelage". The issue can also be found in five different perforations.

 

The five stamp 1881 issue had the same design, with slightly different shades and in five different perforations.

 

 

A new issue was produced beginning in 1888, this time with black numerals through 50k - a total of fourteen stamps

 

The lower values, the 1k,2k,3k,and 5k, are printed without " burelage".

 

 

 

 

The 8k-3fo (Forint) denominations have a vertical line burelage printed first- in different colours. On top of this "burelage" printed paper sheet, the stamp image is then printed.

 

 

 

Although the 1k-50k denominations for this issue have black numerals, the two higher denominations (1fo, 3fo) have red numerals. The 1 Forint gray blue and silver is shown here.

 

In 1898, a new watermark was introduced, and hence a new issue of 12 stamps. The set can also be found in either Perforation 12 x 11 1/2 or Perforation 11 1/2. The colours basically match the preceding issue, with a couple of (minor) exceptions. The new watermark is described as a Crown in Oval (or Circle).

 

 

 

In 1900, a new design was introduced featuring the "Turul", and the Crown of St. Stephen. The "Turul" ( Hawk, or large Falcon), is a bird found in the origin myth of the Magyars (Hungarian people). It is a divine messenger, and perches on the Tree of Life, where other birds represent the spirit of unborn children.

 

The first 1900-04 set has 20 stamps.  The watermark is Crown in Circle, sideways. (Note this issue does not have the "Crown in Oval" type.) The major numbers are perforation 12 X 11 1/2, while there is also a minor number perforation 11 1/2. 

 

In 1908, a new watermark was introduced (wmk Crown of St. Stephen) on a seventeen stamp issue.

 

 

The higher denominations issues have a depiction of Franz Josef as shown - wearing the Crown of St. Stephen. 

 

In 1904-05, there was a sixteen stamp issue with the Crown of St. Stephan watermark. This watermark can be found on stamps with two different perforations: this issue has perforation 12 x 11 1/2. 

 

In 1906, the Crown of St. Stephan watermarked paper was also brought out as a perforation 15 issue. The set had fifteen stamps.

 

 

In 1913, the watermarked was changed to a "Double Cross". The 1913-16 issue had 20 stamps

  

There are fourteen stamps during the 1913-16 era that have the "Double Cross" watermarks oriented horizontally.

 

 

 

 

The first semi-postals for Hungary were issued in 1913, and consisted of seventeen stamps.

 

 

In 1914, a seventeen stamp set based on the regular 1913 issue was surcharged in red, green, or brown.

 

 

 

 

In 1915, another eighteen stamp set of the regular 1913 issue was surcharged in red or green.  This 1915 set, and the preceding 1914 set were sold at 2f over face value, with the surplus intended for aid to war widows and orphans

 

 

 

 Images and text are drawn from the fantastic Big Blue 1840-1940 page on Hungary.