U.N. Stamp, 1979; Lithograph on Rives paper; First-day cover cancellation of Swiss U.N. stamp lower left; Signed Andy Warhol in black ink vertically right margin; Printed signature lower right; Numbered 765/1000 in pencil lower center; Published by United Nations Disaster Relief Organization; Printer: United Nations; With original mailing envelope; Size - Sheet 8 1/2 x 11", Mailing envelope: 9 x 12"; Catalogue Raisonne: Feldman/Schellmann: II.185; Unframed.
To purchase this work or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE!
To purchase this work or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE!
There is a history of Andy Warhol working on commissioned projects for a vast array of people, organizations, and causes. Warhol's early career was that of a commissioned commercial artist, so it is not surprising that he would accept, like so many artists, projects that he deemed exciting and important.
Andy Warhol's original print "U.N. Stamp" was commissioned by the World Federation of United Nations Association (WFUNA); an organization whose goal is to support the principles and purposes of the United Nations. For over two decades, the Association raised money for the United Nations through the sale of artworks that promoted the ideals of the UN and, in addition, raised money for it's educational programs.
Close up of the first-day cover cancellation of a Swiss U.N. stamp.
Close up of the printed signature.
Close up of the hand signature in black ink.
Back of the lithograph.
Close up of the World Federation of United Nations Associations stamp.
Close up of the Andy Warhol photo-collage stamp.
The WFUNA was founded in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on August 2, 1946 by 22 United Nations Associations. The founding was one year after the UN Charter was proclaimed with the opening words “We the peoples of the United Nations." Since it's inception, WFUNA has been the only global organization with the primary mission of supporting the principles and purposes of the United Nations.
Original mailing envelope.
Close up of the mailing address on the original mailing envelope.
Close up of the postage stamp cancellation on the original mailing envelope.
For several decades during the 20th century WFUNA conducted a fundraising program in order to promote the ideals of the UN. A large portion of the fundraising was based on the sale of first day covers of UN stamps and lithographs produced by artists and celebrities such as: Pablo Picasso, Lou Zheng Jang, Joan Miro, Salvador Dali, Ruben Leyva, Al Hirschfeld, and Andy Warhol. Warhol created the U.N. Stamp lithograph based off of a first-day cover of an actual United Nations stamp. The total edition for the lithograph is 1000, with 500 of the edition being the cancellation of the Swiss stamp and the other 500 being the cancellation of the U.S. stamp.
This is a very beautiful work that doubles in collectibility because it is both an original print by Andy Warhol and an original first day cover; which is perfect for a philatelist. The work also comes with the original mailing envelope.
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