Stamp Investment Tip: Hungary 1938 Eucharistic Congress Souvenir Sheet (Scott #B94)

 In 1938, Hungary issued a semi-postal souvenir sheet honoring the Eucharistic Congress, which was held that year in Budapest (Scott #B94). 100,000 were issued, and Scott '14  prices the unused souvenir sheet at $50.00.

  The souvenir sheet has obvious appeal as a Religion/Christianity topical, and should also profit from Hungary's future economic growth.

While recent economic reversals in Europe have hurt the stamp market there, I feel that for most of the countries, the situation is unpleasant but short-term. In the meantime, there are opportunities to pick up bargains, and scarce items with topical appeal are worth considering.


After a difficult transition from a centrally-controlled economy to capitalism, Hungary has experienced moderate economic growth until it was impacted by the 2008-09 financial crisis. As a result of the global financial mess, GDP growth has been almost flat over the past five years. As the newest member of the European Union, this nation of 10 million receives nearly a third of all direct investment flowing into Eastern Europe. Agriculture, metallurgy and mining, and tourism are major components of the economy.

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Stamp Investment Tip: Hungary 1947 Stamp Day Souvenir Sheet (Scott #B202)

In 1947, Hungary issued a semi-postal souvenir sheet commemorating Stamp Day (Scott #B202, sheet of four). 40,000 souvenir sheets were issued, and Scott '13 prices the unused sheet at $55.00 . As with many Hungarian semi-postals, an imperforate version of the souvenir sheet was also issued, and it is probably 50 to 100 times scarcer than the normal sheet. Scott prices the imperforate souvenir sheet at $4,000 .

The sheets have multiple market appeal among collectors of Hungary and Transportation Topicals, due to the 16th century mail coach pictured on the sheet's stamps.

While recent economic reversals in Europe have hurt the stamp market there, I feel that for most of the countries, the situation is unpleasant but short-term. In the meantime, there are opportunities to pick up bargains, and scarce items with topical appeal are worth considering.

After a difficult transition from a centrally-controlled economy to capitalism, Hungary has experienced moderate economic growth until it was impacted by the 2008-09 financial crisis. As a result of the global financial mess, GDP growth has been almost flat over the past five years. As the newest member of the European Union, this nation of 10 million receives nearly a third of all direct investment flowing into Eastern Europe. Agriculture, metallurgy and mining, and tourism are major components of the economy.

Those interested in becoming part of an international community of stamp collectors, dealers, and investors are welcome to join the "Stampselectors" page at Facebook. The  page hosts lively discussions concerning stamp investment and practical aspects of collecting, and provide a useful venue for those who wish to buy, sell, or trade stamps.

Stamp Investment Tip: Hungary 1934 Franz Liszt Souvenir Sheet (Scott #486)

In 1934, Hungary issued its first souvenir sheet, honoring composer Franz Liszt (Scott #486). 50,000 of this Music topical were issued, and Scott '11 prices it unused at $60.00 ($140.- for NH) . As with many Hungarian issues from the 1920s on, an imperforate version of the souvenir sheet exists, and it is considerably scarcer than the regular issue. While the quantity issued of the imperforate version is not known, I estimate that no more than 5,000 were produced.

While recent economic reversals in Europe have hurt the stamp market there, I feel that for most of the countries, the situation is unpleasant but short-term. In the meantime, there are opportunities to pick up bargains, and scarce items with topical appeal are worth considering.

After a difficult transition from a centrally-controlled economy to capitalism, Hungary has experienced moderate economic growth until it was impacted by the 2008-09 financial crisis. As a result of the global financial mess, GDP growth has been almost flat over the past five years. As the newest member of the European Union, this nation of 10 million receives nearly a third of all direct investment flowing into Eastern Europe. Agriculture, metallurgy and mining, and tourism are major components of the economy.

Stamp Investment Tip: Hungary 1931 Zeppelin Overprints (Scott #C24-25)

In 1931 , Hungary issued a pair of stamps for use on Zeppelin mail (Scott #C24-25). 58,598 sets were issued, and Scott '11 prices the set unused at $80.- ($140.- for NH) . The set was also issued imperforate (Scott C24-25Note), and while quantity issued information is not available for the imperforate sets, I estimate that 10,000 or fewer were produced. Scott '11 prices the imperforate set at $250.- .

Zeppelin stamps and covers are very popular among collectors in Europe and the U.S. and should to do well as a subgroup of Aviation philately. The European sovereign debt contagion has put alot of stamps of Europe on sale, and the way for philatelic investors to play the crisis is to buy up the better topical sets while they're still cheap.

After a difficult transition from a centrally-controlled economy to capitalism, Hungary has experienced moderate economic growth until it was hit hard by the 2008-09 financial crisis. As the newest member of the European Union, this nation of 10 million receives nearly a third of all direct investment flowing into Eastern Europe. Agriculture, metallurgy and mining, and tourism are major components of the economy, According to a governmental forecast, annual GDP growth is projected to return to about 4% in 2011.

Stamp Investment Tip: Hungary 1948-49 Chain Bridge Souvenir Sheets

In 1948-49, Hungary issued three souvenir sheets honoring the Szechenyi Chain Bridge (Scott # C66, CB1D,CB2). The bridge is one of the most famous landmarks in Budapest, and has great historical and cultural significance for Hungarians. I recommend all three souvenir sheets, and have listed their quantities issued and Scott '10 values below:

C66 1949 50fo Carmine and Lake ( 15,200; $ 325.00)

CB1D 1948 2fo +18fo Brown Carmine (25,000; $ 110.00 )

CB2 1948 3fo + 18fo Deep Greenish Blue (25,000; 110.00)

As with many Hungarian issues from the 1920s on, imperforate versions of these souvenir sheets exist, and they are considerably scarcer than the regular issues.

After a difficult transition from a centrally-controlled economy to capitalism, Hungary has experienced moderate economic growth until it was hit hard by the 2008-09 financial crisis.
As the newest member of the European Union, this nation of 10 million receives nearly a third of all direct investment flowing into Eastern Europe. Agriculture, metallurgy and mining, and tourism are major components of the economy, According to a governmental forecast, annual GDP growth is projected to return to about 4% in 2011.