MAGYAR KIR POSTA (Hungary Royal Postage) / GESHARDT T. / GR.SZECHENYI ISTVAN / Stamp

Postage stamp issued by Hungary in 1916. It features the portrait of Count István Széchenyi, a Hungarian politician, writer, and reformer who is considered one of the greatest statesmen of Hungarian history. The text lists the name of the country, the name of the artist, and the name of the count. The stamp is inscribed “MAGYAR KIR POSTA” or “HUNGARY ROYAL POSTAGE”, which indicates that it was issued during the reign of King Charles IV, the last king of Hungary before the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Count István Széchenyi was born on September 21, 1791 in Vienna, Austria. He was the son of Count Ferenc Széchenyi and Julianna Festetics. He served as a soldier in the Napoleonic Wars and traveled extensively in Europe and Asia. He became aware of the backwardness and oppression of Hungary under the Habsburg rule and devoted his life and fortune to the modernization and development of his country. He founded the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, initiated the construction of the Chain Bridge over the Danube, supported steam navigation and railway transportation, promoted agriculture and industry, and advocated for political and social reforms. He was also a prolific writer who published several books and essays on various topics, such as history, economics, culture, and religion. He is known as “the greatest Hungarian” for his achievements and influence on Hungarian history.