Magyar Posta is commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Baron Frigyes Podmaniczky by issuing a special stamp. Forty thousand copies of the stamp designed by the graphic artist Anita Laczkó were produced by ANY Security Printing Company. The new issue goes on sale at Filaposta in Hungary, philately specialist services, certain post offices and www.posta.hu from 25 March 2024.
Baron Frigyes Podmaniczky de Podmanin and de Aszód (1824-1907) was a Hungarian politician, writer, Privy Counsellor, Member of Parliament, Vice-President of the Public Works Council of the capital, and corresponding member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. From 1843 he was actively involved in political life. In the Revolution and War of Independence of 1848/49, he served as a Hussar captain and a divisional commander. After the surrender at Világos, the Austrians conscripted him as a private in Arad. From 1873 to 1905, as Vice- President of the Budapest Public Works Council, he made a considerable contribution to the development of Budapest. Based on the master development plan for the capital drawn up at the time, the boulevards and avenues, the Danube embankments and three Danube bridges were built among other constructions. Podmaniczky played a decisive role in the realisation of the Millennium Monument in Heroes’ Square, the Buda Castle with the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Matthias Church, and the Parliament Building designed by Imre Steindl. During this time, three playhouses were built: the People’s Theatre (Népszínház), the Opera House and the Vígszínház comedy theatre. He played an active role in the landscaping of Budapest’s green spaces, the City Park, Zugliget, Sváb Hill and Gellért Hill. From 1875 to 1886, he was theintendant of the National Theatre, and later became the director of the Hungarian Department of the Adriatic Insurance Company. Between 1861 and 1906, he was a Member of Parliament, and in 1861 he became deputy speaker. His novels are of no lasting literary value, but his diary and travelogues contain much information. He devoted all his energy to his endeavours, never married, and as he had no family but Budapest, he was also referred to as the bridegroom of Budapest.
Baron Frigyes Podmaniczky is depicted on the commemorative stamp, with current photographs of some Budapest landmarks in the background: the intersection of Andrássy Avenue and Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Avenue, the Matthias Church, the Opera House and theVígszínház. The full-length figure of Podmaniczky appears on the commemorative cover. The signature of this outstanding personality features in the imprint of the commemorative postmark on the first day cover.
