Romfilatelia approaches the theme of the Hunting in a new issue of postage stamps with the generic subject 100 Years of the General Association of Hunters and Anglers. Hunting Dogs. The issue, consisting of 4 stamps, 1 perforated souvenir sheet, 1 First Day Cover, a special limited edition product and a set of 4 maximum postcards for the maximaphily enthusiasts, will be released on Tuesday, March 12th, this year.
Hunting is an activity of national and international interest, aimed at maintaining biodiversity and balance in nature and sustainably exploiting a renewable natural resource, based on scientific principles and legislative regulations in the field of hunting. In Romania, and as the country’s representative worldwide, the competent dialogue partner in hunting and recreational fishing issues is the General Association of Hunters and Anglers.
In 1870, a first specialized company was registered, followed by hunting associations in Sibiu, Bucharest and Chernivtsi which, by unanimous consent, merged into one large association, established on May 26th, 1922 as the “General Union of Hunters in Romania”. The law recognizing the legal personality of the Union, voted on March 5th, 1923 in the Assembly of Deputies and on March 8th, 1923 in the Senate, was promulgated on March 29th, 1923.
After the social, political and administrative changes following 1947, the Union was reorganized, after 1953, the activity being carried out under the name of the General Association of Hunters and Anglers in Romania (A.G.V.P.S. in Romania), with county branches, which, after 1990, established legal personality.
Currently the A.G.V.P.S. is recognized by the Government Decision no. 259/2001 as being of public utility, with over 140 affiliated associations in Bucharest and in many other cities and localities. More than 80% of the number of recreational hunters and anglers are found in associations affiliated to the A.G.V.P.S. On a century of the Institution’s existence, we warmly wish them “Many happy returns!”.
As it was natural, the philatelic issue dedicated to the event addressed a theme beloved by collectors and the general public: Hunting Dogs.
The images of the dogs shown on the four postage stamps and on the postage stamp of the philatelic souvenir sheet belong to the following breeds:
Setters - they belong to the group of British breeds of great pointers, created especially for hunting birds. In addition to their particularly elegant appearance, they are renowned for their particularly fine sense of smell, their wide quest (search for the game) at high speed, covering large areas of land.
Characteristic of the coat of setters is the long hair, the colour being specific to the breed. For the English Setter, the colours can be: black and white (Blue Belton), white and orange (Orange Belton), white and yellow (Lemon Belton), or white, black and orange (tricolour). The coat colour of the Red Irish Setter is a mixture of red-cashew, dark to mahogany; bright chestnut.
The stamp with the face value of Lei 4.60 renders an English Setter, and the stamp with the face value of Lei 5 shows a Red Irish Setter.
Transylvanian Hound is illustrated on the stamp with the face value of Lei 2. Hounds are among the oldest breeds of dogs used for hunting, even before the Middle Ages, in the Eurasian space. The Transylvanian Hound breed was approved in 1966 in Hungary. The Transylvanian Hound is used today in wooded areas, difficult to access, alone or in the cry, for searching, following and driving wild boars to the hunter. Having a well-developed sense of smell, it is also used in tracking to retrieve game.
Wirehaired Dachshund is depicted on the stamp with the face value of Lei 25. Dachshund varieties originate from Germany, the name Dachshund (which translates as “badger dog”) unequivocally indicating the main hunting use of this breed, i.e. hunting foxes, badgers in the burrow, but also wild boars in the chase or for the recovery of game.
Dachshunds come in three varieties: with long, short or wiry hair and three types of height: standard, medium and dwarf. Although it has short legs compared to its body length, it is a very mobile and agile dog. It is also an excellent companion dog, but still requires daily outdoor exercise.
The postage stamp of the souvenir sheet, (with the face value of Lei 33), framed in an appropriate background, illustrates in a graphic composition, document-elements and a thematic medal that mark the anniversary moment of the AGVPS.
Romfilatelia would like to thank the representatives of the General Association of Hunters and Anglers in Romania for the documentary support granted for the development of this issue of postage stamps.
