Britain's most spectacular commemoratives, No26: 1995 Peace & Freedom 30p

One of two stamps celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, from a set on the theme of peace, this design uses simple imagery to make a telling point. 

Two open hands, suggesting no malice, with fingers of different colours, representing all mankind, emerge from the globe in supplication to the background of heat and flames, alluding to conflict.

It looks like a thought-provoking piece of modern art, rather than merely a postage stamp.

Design: Jean-Michel Folon.

Printing: gravure by Harrisons.

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