This First Day Cover features the United Nations 11¢ Air Mail stamp issued May 1, 1972, at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Art Craft cachet depicts French balloonist Pilâtre de Rozier alongside an illustration of his historic aircraft and the Paris skyline.
The stamp honors the dawn of human flight. On November 21, 1783, de Rozier and the Marquis d'Arlandes completed the first successful manned balloon voyage, lifting off from the Bois de Boulogne and traveling over five miles above Paris in a Montgolfier hot-air balloon.
A striking design element is the colorful flock of stylized doves and UN emblems surrounding the twin 11¢ airmail stamps, evoking both peace and international postal cooperation. The postmark reads "United Nations, New York" with the exact first-day date.
A fine addition for collectors of United Nations philately, aviation topicals, or 1970s FDCs, this cover remains in fresh condition with sharp strikes and vibrant cachet colors.
