Én, a bélyeggyűjtő

The hobby of my life since my childhood  has been  –  philately.

And as a man in an  uncomfortable age, well over 70 (I was born in 1935),  today I dare say:

it has become the greatest present from  this, for me so kind  hobby, that  about good  20 years ago, in dramatically  world historical moments of the last century,  personally just me had found the task – as then president of the National Federation of the Hungarian Philatelists (MABÉOSZ) -, to take part in the preparations of our European organization. And You all may understand, that till today I am proud of the  result of our,  many times not just easy common efforts. The FEPA was  officially born, and in 1989, on its first conference –  on  ground of the traditionally good international reputation of the Hungarian philately – I was elected to the   office of the first, founder vice-president of the federation. Even more: I was deeply honoured, that in this position I have got a chance, to work on the side of such a president, as the  „geat magician of the international philately”, Dr. Alan Huggins has been…

My way on the steps on the philately was at least so long as „the way to Tipperary”. I began it, when I had been 8 years old. The first stamps I have got to Christmas, from my father, with his wise advise: „Read always something new about every new stamp before putting it   into your album”.  I do it till now: so, the last days I was reading a lot about one of the new states of the Balkans, Montenegro…  

I began  – it’s natural – with  Hungarian stamps, some years later were coming the publications  of the UN too.  The next step:   signatures of interesting persons, who have something to do  with the stamps  on an envelope. Then as a grown-up man  and journalist by profession, I decided to produce only for myself something special: since half a century I „write” a personal philatelic travel diary. It is a duty.  to buy the   latest published stamp of the foreign country, which I am just visiting. In this minute the „latests” are   the Peking olimpic stamps of Slovenia, with  euro values:  as a proof, how quickly the train of Europe is running. But my favourites today are stamps,  – not yet published!

As philatelist I am a  journalist – and  as journalist I am proud of beeing philateslist.  I began more than 50  years ago to write articles about our hobby, first of all in the journal of the Hungarian collectors, the „Filatéliai Szemle”. For more decades I had been member of the editorial comittee of this periodical. And  –  last but not least for me –  I have become one of the first Hungarian members az AIJP. Later I have got the membership of the Royal Philatelic Society, and became member in  the Hungarian sections and working groups in Great Britain and Germany.  

As correspondent of the Hungarian News Agency (MTI) I was working nearly 15 years in foreign countries (from the Far-East over Belgrade to – then – West and East-Berlin). But in  times living and working at home I always liked very much to take part  in the activity of MABÉOSZ: first for many years as member of the Presidium, and later,  from 1986 as twice elected president of our organization. As  responsible for so many others, I created an inside slogan in my soul, I was never speaking about it: it is much better if people are buying stamps on their money, then spending it for alcoholic drinks (sorry, perhaps). The other side of it is: many organized members means more possibilities to support our  best philatelists at home and internationally. Even now I don’t no really: had I right or not?

I have had to retire from this responsible job in 1991 in a bed of a Budapest hospital. My cardiologist professor had given me the command: „Either your life or the storms of public life, included philately”. He controlled me  personally, that I was writing my letter of resignation to the presidium. Perhaps his firmness then is the explanation of the  simple fact that – I am able to write these memories, now. And that I may „play” with my stamps even today – not once together with the „new blood” (what is very important), with one of my grandsons…    

But back to FEPA… It was a goodluck for me, that I met the idea, to create a „common philatelic club in Europe” practically in the first moment after beeing elected as president of the Hungarian Association. There were partnerts and opponents both on the West and the East side of the old continent. Don’t forget: it had been in 1986. I remember well: sometimes the British Alan Huggins has got more supports secretly from  East Europe, than I publicly from the same persons. And some other time I was asked secretly by philatelist leaders from the West,  to be against the foundation the  continental federation. But now we know:  the  end is really important. The FEPA is not only  existing. I am proud to read about so many  exhibitions, conferences and other events, supported, organized by the FEPA. Our child  is today, after 20 years one of the most influential philatelic organization of the world.

What more could You do? I have even a great dream. As an eternal optimist, for example I see              

I am sure, it is not impossible to realize these ideas. Sooner or later.  I have learned, time is never working against philately…

. Thank You all (now from Budapest),  who do their best  to make  always the best for philately and  –  from FEPA!