UN stamps: messengers of peace.

They have been called "Messengers of Peace" And it is an apt title, for every day UN Postage stamps relay the goals of the world Organization around the globe.

Since 1951, the UN Postal Administration (UNPA) has issued 860 stamps of different design, all on international themes-human rights, environment, population and development-to name just a few. International days, years and decades have been commemorated. Between 1980 and 1989, the UN issued a series representing the flags of its 159 Member States. All stamps are issued simultaneously at UN post offices in New York, Geneva and Vienna on six dates every year.

In 1947, Argentina proposed the idea of the UN issuing its own postage stamps. Secretary-General Trygve Lie was asked to determine if the United States, as the host country for UN Headquarters, thought the idea feasible.

An agreement was reached with American postal authorities in 1951, with the condition that the stamps be issued in United States denominations, but used only at UN Headquarters in New York. The programme began on UN Day, 24 October 1951. On 4 October 1969, the Geneva branch of UNPA was opened at the Palais des Nations, with the first UN stamps denominated in Swiss francs. The Vienna branch was opened on 24 August 1979 with stamps issued in Austrian schillings.

Special treaties between the UN and the three countries involved provide that the same classes and types of postage will be available at the UN Post Office as at any United States, Swiss or Austrian post office.

These postal services receive revenues from the sale of UN stamps which pay for processing and delivery of the mail. The UN retains the revenues from philatelic sales, which in 1988 amounted to almost $4 million. Universal themes

Gisela Grunewald, Chief of UNPA, explained that the UN is the only organization in the world which has the privilege of issuing its own postage stamps. Subjects for the six annual issues are chosen to "highlight what the UN really stands for and what the work of the Organization is really all about," Mrs. Grunewald said.

Themes for 1990 are: international trade (2 February); fighting AIDS worldwide (16 March); medicinal plants (4 May); the 45th anniversary of the UN (26 June); crime prevention 13 September); and human rights (16 November).

Understanding the message of UN stamps is important, Mrs. Grunewald emphasized, because we have to be understood the world over-we cannot show one aspect of mankind that is not universal".

On 17 November 1989, UNPA began what Mrs. Grunewald believes will be one of the most important projects in its history. As part of the world public information campaign for human rights, UNPA will reproduce chronologically, over a five-year period, the entire text of the 30-article Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Designs for UN stamps are generally chosen through international competitions. So far, contest winners have come from 39 countries. Another reason to visit the UN

Collectors are among the biggest enthusiasts for UN stamps. Although UNPA in Geneva traditionally produces first-day covers (cachets), an added enticement for philatelists are the first-day covers and limited edition art prints produced by the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA).

A first day of issue" is an exciting day for UN stamp enthusiasts. Many come to UN post offices with pre-written letters and cards that are given a special first day" postage mark along with the new stamps. Artists who design WFUNA covers are often on hand to give autographs. Visitors to UN Headquarters in New York on these special "stamp days" in recent years might have met movie star Anthony Quinn, designer Gloria Vanderbilt, or artist Peter Max, for example.

The WFUNA philatelic programme aims to promote the programmes and ideals of the UN, according to its New York director, Annabelle Wiener.

Stamp catalogues may be purchased in English, French or German from UNPA. Collectors may also obtain two short films about the stamp programme-"Messenger of Peace" and "Portrait of Hope". The films may be borrowed, free of charge, in New York, Geneva and Vienna, as well as from UN information centres around the world.

A UN Philatelic Museum, located at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, provides a capsulized history of the stamp programme in three languages. On 16 March, the UN Postal Administration will issue a set of six stamps with the message "Fight AIDS Worldwide". The stamps, in denominations of United States dollars ($), Swiss francs (SwF), and Austrian schillings (S), were designed by four artists: Jacek Tofll of Poland ($.25, SwF 0,50 and S 5), Fritz Henry Oerter of the Federal Republic of Germany ($.40), Lee Keun Moon of the Republic of Korea (SwF 0,80), and Orlando Pelaez of Colombia (S 11). Stamps may be ordered by writing to: United Nations Postal Administration, P. O. Box 5900, Grand Central Station, New York, New York 10163-9992, U.S.A. Most commercial stamp dealers around the world also sell UN stamps. But they can only be used at UN postal stations in New York, Geneva and Vienna.