Erik Nitsche (Swiss, 1908 - 1998) "United Nations in Europe" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.N. 22c 40th Anniversary of the United Nations stamp issued June 26, 1985. Shortly after the end of World War II, the peace-loving nations of the world banned together to form an organization dedicated to preserving world peace and security. Founded in 1945 in San Francisco, this international organization -- known as the United Nations -- sought to rebuild the war torn nations of Europe. Much of Europe faced not only the devastation of the war itself ... but economic problems as well. To combat these problems, the United Nations took action to provide relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction for the nations ravaged by World War II. The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration is credited with providing much needed aid to the people and nations. To assist nations in dealing with regional and economic problems, the UN established the Economic Commission for Europe. Today, forty years after the establishment of the United Nations, the UN continues to help peoples and nations affected by war. In addition, the United Nations struggles to improve the way of life for all mankind by combating hunger, providing aid to needy children and fighting for universal human rights. In celebration of its fortieth anniversary of worldwide cooperation and brotherhood, the United Nations issued a special anniversary issue of six Stamps and three Souvenir Sheets in Geneva, Switzerland ... Vienna, Aus- tria ... in addition to UN headquarters in New York and in San Francisco -- the city where the UN was founded in 1945. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 20 x 15 in. Unframed. (B09622)