Considerations on the Philatelic Testimony of the Maramureș Mining Activity (I)

Abstract

It is well known that on the entire territory of Maramureş County (Romania), from East to West, there were and still are important deposits of gold-silver and copper ores, as well as lead and zinc ores. The geological and geomorphological specificity of the Maramures mining area meant that over time the mining activity did not go unnoticed in the annals of history, as well as in those of thematic philately. The philatelic movement in Maramures County, especially in Baia Mare, has an old tradition. This tradition has particularly followed mining activity. Through this paper, in order to pay a tribute to the forerunners, we set out to review the beginnings of the Maramures philatelic movement which had as its subject the mining activity, with emphasis on philatelic materials (stamps, first-day covers, occasional and special envelopes, postcards and maxims, etc.) that have aimed at promoting the natural heritage, and local and regional geodiversity. From the analyzed materials, some reproduced even in these pages, it was found that special attention was paid and still is paid to the mining activity in the Maramures region, collectors of philatelic materials being themselves involved in mining and related activities, as well as in promoting geodiversity in-country and abroad.