UNPA No Nukes stamps to debut Aug. 14 in Schaumburg, Illinois

By David Hartwig

The United Nations Postal Administration commemorates the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, on three stamps in an Aug. 14 issue.

“On this anniversary, the United Nations message to the world is to remember the lessons of these tragic events and recommit to a world free from nuclear weapons, emphasizing the importance of multilateralism, sustainable development and peace,” the UNPA said.

During World War II the United States detonated an atomic bomb over Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, and then one over Nagasaki on Aug. 9. It is estimated that the bombings killed over 200,000 people, mostly civilians, in 1945, and in the following years many survivors experienced long-term health effects including cancer and other illnesses.

The three stamps are issued in panes of 10, with each pane holding stamps from a different United Nations post office. Stamps denominated $1.70 are from the U.N. headquarters in New York City, stamps denominated 1.90 francs are from the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, and €1.40 stamps are from the Vienna International Center in Vienna, Austria.

The $1.70 stamp shows a depiction of a skull with two international radiation symbols for eyes and missiles for the nose and mouth, the 1.90fr stamp features an octopus with a missile in each of seven tentacles, and the €1.40 stamp shows the earth and binoculars with the international radiation symbol on one lens and the campaign for nuclear disarmament symbol, commonly known as the peace sign, on the other.

A first-day ceremony for the No Nukes stamps is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 14, at 3:00 p.m., during the Great American Stamp Show taking place Aug. 14-17 in Schaumburg, Ill.

A special cachet for the No Nukes stamps will also be available at the Great American Stamp Show.

Those interested in obtaining the show cachet can also send self-addressed envelopes affixed with stamps issued for use from the U.N. headquarters in New York City to United Nations Show Cachet GASS ’25, Malli Hui, United Nations Postal Administration, Box 5900, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163-5900.

Requests for show cachets should be postmarked no later than the start of the show.

The United Nations has worked for decades to eliminate nuclear weapons through key initiatives such as the Treaty on the NonProliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Since it entered into force in 1970, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons has aimed to both prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. A further goal of the treaty is to achieve nuclear disarmament.

The first legal framework specifically aimed at eliminating nuclear weapons came in 2021 when the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons entered into force. The treaty prohibits the development, testing, production, acquisition and use of nuclear weapons.

Other United Nations treaties, such as the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the Partial Test Ban Treaty promote disarmament and contribute to the goals of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.

Sergio Baradat designed and illustrated the stamps. Issued in panes of 10, the stamps measure 37 millimeters by 44.3mm each.

Royal Joh Enshede of the Netherlands printed the stamps by hexachrome. For each of the six stamps, 7,000 panes of 10 were printed. The panes measure 205mm by 108.5mm.

For ordering information for these new stamps and related products, visit the UNPA website; email unpanyinquiries@un.org; telephone 212-963-7684 or 800-234-8672; or write to UNPA, Box 5900, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163-5900.

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