United Nations Souvenir Cards

The United Nations Postal Authority began issuing souvenir cards in 1972 in recognition of United Nations special interests, events, or themes. While depicting postage stamps of the United Nations, they are not valid for postage. United Nations Souvenir cards generally have a first-day observance of certain new stamp issues and are ofter postmarked wiht the First Day of Issue Cancel and depict one or more new issue stamps. Souvenir Cards also contain images of previously issued United Nations stamps germane to the new issue’s topic. Usually a short explanatory message or salutation in English by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, along with his signature, are added to the text of the souvenir cards.