Philatelic foray.

• Position: UN Postal Administration's new stamps

In September 1980, the UNPA began issuing flag stamps at a rate of 16 per year. But by 1989 all Member States had been represented, so the UNPA suspended the series. But with the increase in the membership of the United Nations, the UNPA decided to revive the Flag Series in February 1997.

The latest installment was issued on 13 February, featuring the flags of the Federated States of Micronesia, Slovakia, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Azerbaijan on Sheet 43, and Uzbekistan, Monaco, the Czech Republic and Estonia on Sheet 44.

The UNPA also issued five new definitive stamps on 13 February, in make-up postage rate denominations of 1 cent, 2 cents, 21 cents, F.s. 2,00, S 6.50 and S 9.

Designed by Zhang Le Lu of China the 1-cent stamp depicts a simple crayon-like drawing of a child holding a peace dove. With a smile that stretches across the stamp, and giant eyes that look like patchwork globes of green and blue, the child reflects the openness and idealism of the United Nations.

The 21-cent stamp, designed by Gregory Halili of the Philippines, shows a similarly abstract image of the United Nations. Here, cut-out figures of dancers - representing Member States - hold hands and form a circle around a glowing United Nations logo. Like a sun in the center of the universe, the UN logo anchors concentric rings of orange, red, blue and black, and the circle of dancers themselves who seem pulled by its unifying gravitational force.

The Swiss Franc (F.s.) 2,00, the Austrian shillings (S) 9 and the S6.50 stamps picture United Nations buildings.

Colourful and practical, these limited edition stamps hold wide appeal for stamp collectors and average citizens alike.

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