The United Nations postal administration marginal inscriptions

Abstract

Marginal inscriptions appearing twice on the bottom and top or twice on the side margins of each sheet of stamps are a traditional feature of United Nations postage stamps. Ever since the issue on 24 October 1951 of the first United Nations postage stamps, the demand for the non postal tab, known as marginal inscriptions among UN philatelists, has been very high. On that occasion the inscription simply read "first UN issue - 1951". Generally collectors build up collections with corner blocks of four or six stamps together with the marginal inscription. They attempt to keep the collection symmetric by trying to collect all of one corner and not a mixture. Other collectors with more limited funds make do with a s:ngle stamp with marginal inscription. [excerpt]