End of World War II
Founding of United Nations
70th Anniversary

A miniature sheet containing two €2,00 stamps commemorates the end of World War II and the founding of the United Nations Organization in 1945. The miniature sheet was designed by Milano artist, Marco Ventura, who created other Vatican City stamps. The artist incorporated considerable symbolism into the design. The World War II issue depicts an injured hand against a darkened background, which the UFN explains symbolizes "the defeat of humanity in the face of the horrors of war." The United Nations stamp displays three hands supporting the globe, the New York UN headquarters, and an olive branch. Barbed wire appears on the left side of the mini sheet, while a rainbow representing peace is depicted on the right portion of the sheet. View the reference below for an interesting article on a study of the essays Marco Ventura produced for the miniature sheet. The article appeared in the 2015 Vatican Notes: Volume: 63 Issue: 366 Page: 32-35. Reference: Essays for the 2015 World War II and the United Nations Anniversary Stamps Technical Details: Scott Catalogue - 1593 - 1593 Date Issued - 19 May 2015 Face Value - €4,00 Perforations - 13.25x13.25 Printing Process - Offset Printer - Cartor (France) Max Printed - 70,000

(Source - Vatican Notes: Volume: 63 Issue: 365 Page: 4-6)