Turulfrimärken: kunskapsbas

The early 20th century was a turning point for the Hungarian Post and Hungarian society alike. The 1908 issue of the Turul series was not merely another stamp variant, but a symbol of a changing era: simultaneously reflecting the symbols of Hungarian statehood, technological development, and the rhythm of a modernising world.

The Turul series began in 1900 and went through several watermark and perforation changes. In 1908, a new watermark was introduced on the stamp paper: the two-dimensional, upright Holy Crown design, which replaced the earlier circular version and then the 3D crown watermark.

This watermark is slightly more difficult to distinguish from the similar 1909 version. Its characteristic feature is the equal-length lower sections and the beautifully curved crown side, whereas the 1909 version has a more angular, broken line.

1908 – When the World Accelerated

The appearance of the Ford Model T in the background of the stamp design is no coincidence: 1908 marked the start of mass production for the world's first truly mass-produced automobile. The Ford T was not just a vehicle but a symbol of the modern industrial age, making car ownership accessible to the middle class, which had previously been a luxury.

The Hungarian Post itself was undergoing a modernisation wave at this time, with the Csonka postal vehicles already on the roads for two years. The era was characterised by:

• new watermarks,
• new perforations (15‑tooth perforation from 1906),
• accelerating postal services,
• technical innovations such as the appearance of stamp vending machines.

The Role of the 35 Filler Value

The 35 filler value was used to cover international letter and parcel rates, as well as certain registered or express fees. Since domestically the 10 filler was the basic letter rate, 35 filler represented a higher category of service.

The 35 filler Turul thus typically served to frank registered items or international letters in the years following the turn of the century.