Each year the members of the Association of European Postal Operators (PostEurop) issue stamps on a common theme to present the identical values of their states. The “EUROPA” stamp is still one of the most popular themes for collectors, and issues bearing the official logo are among the most sought-after new stamps. In 2022 the member countries are presenting the theme of stories and myths on the stamp. The Hungarian miniature sheet consisting of two pairs of stamps was designed by the graphic artist Imre Benedek of which 20,000 copies were produced by the banknote printing company Pénzjegynyomda Zrt. The new issue is available from Filaposta, philately specialist services, certain post offices and www.posta.hu.
The tale of the white horse is one of the myths and legends about how the land of Hungary was acquired dating from the time the Magyar tribes settled in the Carpathian Basin. This was passed down by oral tradition for centuries until it was recorded in writing. Several sources have survived about this story. The legend of the white horse was included by Anonymus in his historical work, but it is also mentioned in the Buda and Dubnica Chronicles. The most complete story is preserved in the Illuminated Chronicle, written at the end of the 13th century.
According to the legend, when the chieftain Árpád and his nobles heard of the wealth of Pannonia, they sent an envoy with the most beautiful steed from Árpád’s stable, a white horse, as a present to the prince of the province, Svatopluk. In exchange the envoy asked for a canteen of water from the Danube, a handful of soil and some grass from the meadows. Little did Svatopluk realise that by giving these he was actually handing over the right to the land. The story goes that the Hungarian chieftains were exploiting an ancient eastern custom which was based on the belief that the soil, dust or any other object taken from a country, settlement or house would place that country or area under the power of its enemy. Árpád then entered Pannonia with the seven chieftains, not as a guest, but as the rightful owner of the land.
The design of the miniature sheet relating the tale of the white horse is based on the Illuminated Chronicle. The first day cover for the sheet bears a drawing of an ornamental hair clip from the time of the conquest, while the postmark shows a stylised drawing of a horse.
