United Nations Postal Administration
The United Nations
is the only non-postal organization in the world that is permitted to issue
postage stamps. The United Nations Postal Administration is also the only organization
to issue stamps in three different currencies, namely US dollars, Swiss francs
and euro (until 2002 in Austrian schillings).
The idea of the
United Nations issuing its own stamps was first proposed by the Argentinean
UN-ambassador José Arce, himself a keen philatelist, in 1947. An agreement with
the
The first United Nations stamps were
issued in U.S. dollar denominations on United Nations Day, 24 October, in 1951.
The stamps were an immediate success and sold out within days. Similar postal
agreements were reached with the Swiss and Austrian postal authorities. On
Each issue carries a related design theme, with different denominations
for each office. The stamps are available from UNPA offices in person or by
mail, and from stamp dealers. They are valid for postage when used on mail from
the United Nations offices in New York, Geneva and Vienna. Usually, six new
commemorative issues are released each year and remain on sale for 12 months
only. After that date, any remaining stocks are destroyed. Commemorative stamps
are never reprinted, even if they are sold out before the end of the 12-month
sale period. Definitive stamps have an indefinite sale period and carry
denominations necessary for general postal needs. Definitive stamps can be
reprinted as necessary.
United
Nations stamps are printed all over the world by security printers, both
government printing offices and private security printing firms. They are
produced under the same security controls used for the printing of bank notes.
Collectors appreciate the high quality of the stamps, which undergo many
quality controls and are screened by UNPA for any flaws. This makes the United
Nations one of the highest-quality producers of stamps among postal
administrations.
Not only do United Nations
stamps artistically promote the aims of the United Nations, they provide income
for the Organization as well. This income derives almost exclusively from sales of stamps to
collectors. The majority of United Nations postage stamps - approximately 85 per
cent - are collected by philatelists. The value of all United Nations stamps
used for mailing purposes is reimbursed to the US Postal Service, the Swiss PTT
or the Austrian PTT, as appropriate.
Human rights, the
environment, endangered species and peace are all subjects of universal concern
to the peoples of the world. They are also subjects which the United Nations
Postal Administration has promoted on its stamps. Because United Nations stamps
reflect the work of the world Organization, the stamps extend beyond the
boundaries of philately to draw attention to significant world problems and to
serve as a reminder of the United Nations' commitment to its goals.
The UNPA is a regular participant in stamp exhibitions
throughout the world. Commemorative cards are issues bearing a special
postmark. Each UNPA office has its own colour card: green for New York, blue
for Geneva and white for Vienna.
Links
The UNPA
website.
UNPA in Wikipedia.
Related subject
Advertisements from UNPA in books and
magazines.
Related persons -
designers of stamps issued by UNPA
Stamp catalogue - 25th anniversary
Tunisia
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