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United Nations (New York Headquarters)

FIRST STAMPS ISSUED 24 October 1951.

The United Nations Organization superseded the League of Nations (see Switzerland) after World War II. Initiated at the Dumbarton Oaks Conference in 1944, it produced a charter signed by 50 nations at San Francisco on 26 June 1945, effective 24 October 1945. After an inaugural session in London, it was decided to locate the permanent seat in New York. Until the existing HQ was opened on the East River in 1952, sessions were held at Lake Success on Long Island.

Initially United Nations stamps were used only in New York, but as offices were established abroad, issues in other currencies became necessary. Stamps in Swiss francs were issued in Geneva (1969), and in Austrian currency in Vienna (1979) (See also under Switzerland and Austria).