On 31^st May 2007, the Sixty first session of the United Nations General Assembly considered a resolution on the International Day of Non-Violence .  This was followed by the Introduction of the Draft Resolution  by Mr. Anand Sharma, Minister of State for External Affairs, New Delhi,  at the 61^st session of the United Nations General Assembly on 15^th June 2007.  At the 103^rd Meeting (AM) of the Plenary Session of the Sixty-first General Assembly on 15^th June 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a text of the  resolution.  On October 2^nd, 2007, the UN General Assembly observed the first International Day of Non-Violence, with an address by Sonia Gandhi Chairperson of the United Nations Progressive Alliance.

On the occasion of the Third International Day of Non Violence (October 2, 2009), the United Nations Postal Administration in New York City issued a new definitive stamp featuring a fascinating artistic rendition of Mahatma Gandhi by renowned artist Ferdie Pacheco.  The original painting (1984) was purchased by an Italian movie producer who lived in Rome.  This painting is one of three portraits of Mahatma Gandhi by Dr. Pacheco.  A second portrait (1999) was sold by a Tamp Florida art gallery in 2009.  A similar painting by the same artist was commissioned by the host of this website in 2009.  Images of these three portraits are presented at the bottom of this page.

The UNPA NY issued an official first day cover with a single stamp, a first day cover with a block of four stamps and a special souvenir card with a block of four stamps and card depicts a picture of Mahatma Gandhi and the new US$ 1.00 definitive stamp. The card carries a statement by BAN Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and by S. M. Krishna, Minister External Affairs of India.  The New York souvenir card [8" horizontally by 6" vertically (203 mm x 152 mm)] is only available in cancelled condition for a period of three months while supplies last.  The stamps are tied  to all commemorative covers and cards with a special pictorial first day cancel. 

The host of this website requested that a set of the three official cachet covers (Figure 2) representing all three UN postal agencies (New York, Geneva and Vienna) be prepared with this new definitive stamp.  Two other first day covers were also prepared upon request by the UNPA, one using the UN NY definitive cachet and another using the UN Headquarters official cachet.  Only twenty such sets (100 covers) were prepared, with the Oct 2 date cancel tied to the US$1.00 definitive.  Ten postally used plain covers, indicating first day of use, were also prepared, as shown below.  Additionally, the host of this website mailed 10 covers on the first day from the UN in NY to addresses in India (Chennai and Bangalore) and Singapore.

* To order limited quantities of this set of 5 UN official cachet covers shown above, Email us at gandhi@topicalphilately.com.  PayPal accepted. *

The host of this website received the mailing of all his ordered items from the UN via registered post, with eight Gandhi stamp used on the box and tied with the International Day of Nonviolence first day cancel from October 2, 2009.  A second box shipment was received from the UN with four Gandhi stamps used on the box and tied with the Indigenous People first day cancel from October 8, 2009.  A wonderful poster to promote the Gandhi stamp was designed by UN stamp artist Rorie Katz and released by Luisita Pacheco at two art shows in Tampa, Florida.  The host of this webiste has a copy of this poster signed by the original artist (Ferdie Pacheco) and the UN stamp and poster designer (Rorie Katz).  All three items are shown below.

* To order limited quantities of the poster 16" x 24" glossy publicity poster shown above, Email us at gandhi@topicalphilately.com.  PayPal accepted. *

Two interesting Zepplin covers, prepared with additional cancels applied to the official FDC, were listed on EBay and sold for about $20 each on November 15, 2009. 

A picture postcard commemorating the release of the UN stamp was also prepared by the Pacheco gallery and released during art shows in Tampa Florida in November 2009.  Copies of the card, unsigned and signed by artist Ferdie Pacheco, are shown below. 

* To order limited quantities of signed or unsigned picture postcards shown above, Email us at gandhi@topicalphilately.com.  PayPal accepted. *

* Limited Edition Signed Giclee prints of these portraits are available on canvas from the artist.  Please check http://www.ferdiepacheco.com for details.  *