Munich 1972 Appraisal

Magyar Posta Olympic Games Munich 1972 Football Stamp

This item is a postage stamp issued by 'Magyar Posta' (Hungarian Post) commemorating the Olympic Games held in Munich in 1972. The stamp is rhomboidal (diamond-shaped), with a serrated or perforated edge, typical of postage stamps. Its primary colors include a red outer border, with an inner pictorial field featuring shades of green and brown for the grass and a lighter green for the field lines, representing a football pitch. The central image depicts two male football players in action: one player, presumably a goalkeeper, in a dark top and shorts, is shown diving or reaching to catch a brown football. Another player, in a red short-sleeved top and light-colored shorts, is partially visible behind and to the left of the goalkeeper. Prominently displayed at the top center of the stamp are the Olympic rings in white, with the text 'MÜNCHEN 1972' directly below them. At the bottom center, in a white banner against the red border, is the inscription 'MAGYAR POSTA' and '40/' below it, indicating the issuing authority and the denomination (40 fillér). The overall condition appears good, with no obvious major tears or creases visible, although a slight surface imperfection or an indistinct cancellation mark might be present near the top right corner over the field. The edges show clean perforations. The stamp's design is illustrative, capturing a dynamic sporting moment, and reflects typical philatelic art from the early 1970s. Its unique diamond shape makes it a distinctive piece among standard rectangular stamps, hinting at a potential stylistic choice for the Olympic series.