Poland 1966 European Championships in Athletics MNH

Poland 1966 European Championships in Athletics MNH

In 1966, Poland issued a set of postage stamps commemorating the European Championships in Athletics held in Budapest, Hungary. Here are the details about this mint never hinged (MNH) set:

The set consists of 7 stamps, each featuring a different athletics event:

• 40 groszy – High jump
• 60 groszy – Discus throw
• 60 groszy – Hurdling
• 60 groszy – Javelin throw
• 60 groszy – Pole vault
• 60 groszy – Running
• 1.50 złoty – Shot put

The stamps were designed by Polish artist Stefan Małecki, known for his work on numerous Polish stamp issues during the 1960s and 1970s. They were printed using offset lithography by the State Printing Works in Warsaw.

Each stamp features a stylized, colorful illustration of an athlete competing in the depicted event. The designs have a dynamic, modern aesthetic that captures the motion and energy of athletics.

Inscriptions on the stamps include “Polska” (Poland) at the top, and “Mistrzostwa Europy w lekkiej atletyce” (European Championships in Athletics) along with the denomination at the bottom.

Poland had a strong performance at the 1966 European Championships, winning 2 gold, 6 silver, and 5 bronze medals across various events.

MNH examples of this set are popular among collectors of Polish stamps, sports stamps, and European Championships commemoratives. The bold, vibrant designs and the historical significance of the event make them a desirable addition to many collections.

To be considered truly “mint never hinged” by collectors, the stamps should have full original gum, no hinge marks, and no signs of wear or damage.

While not as widely collected as Olympic stamps, the 1966 Polish European Athletics Championships set is still sought after by many collectors and is a great example of sports-themed stamps from the mid-20th century era.