The World United Against Malaria

The U.S. 4 cent issue for the eradication of malaria

 

Synopsis

 

Historical Background:

On October 21st, 1960, at the 26th Session of the World Health Organization, it was discussed that the under funded “Malaria Eradication Special Account” needed another way to finance the program. The proposal was made for the issuing of postage stamps world-wide in order to help fund the “global program for the eradication of malaria” and increase world-wide publicity and education about the fight against malaria. The hope was that the participating governments would contribute stamps or a percentage of the proceeds of the sales of the stamps to the program. The campaign ultimately failed due to the impossibility of eradicating the insect and disease. Today, 1-2 million people still die a year from malaria. On March 30th, 1962, the United States issued a 4 cent issue for the eradication of malaria. This issue was designed by Charles R. Chickering.

 

Scope:

This exhibit presents the story of the U.S. 4 cent issue for the eradication of malaria through photo essays and the attached documents, EFOs, FDCs, and then followed by commercial covers.

Material Availability:

The only known essay that I am aware of was acquired by the National Postal http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/collection/3a2i_acquis2004.html

Although the stamp was issued in 1962, finding commercial covers is difficult. The reason for this is that many dealers do not have the time to go through “recent” covers as the profit does not warrant their efforts. Finding ordinary FDCs is easy but finding the elusive FDC is not an easy task. Through the Internet and auctions, I have purchased 15 large malaria collections in order to pull out the best items. This exhibit is the result of 12 years of scouring the earth to find these better items.

 

Original Research:

This exhibit includes the strip of 5 “String” freak (waiting a response from the Errors, Freaks, and Oddities Collector’s Club to determine if this is a new EFO).I have also discovered a few new FDC cachets (not in Mellones) along with undocumented FDC cancellations. All of these items are in this exhibit.

 

Research also includes the study of hundreds of W.H.O. Resolution documents online at http://www.who.int/en/ and other documents not online but discovered through personal correspondence with the W.H.O. in Geneva. These documents chronicle the state of the campaign from its conception through its completion. Data tracking the countries participating, monies and stamps promised by these countries and actually delivered by these countries, and dates of issue (many incorrect) are in these documents.

 

 

 

Highlights include but not limited to:

  • Plate Block with signatures of the designer and the engravers.
  • Philatelic Release No. 5 with small photo essay.
  • United States Information Service Leaflet F-62-49 with large photo essay.
  • Full strip of 5 “String” EFO
  • Vertical and horizontal misperforated stamps.
  • FDC with signature of Roy Fritz.
  • Undocumented “Waldau” First Day Cachets
  • Undocumented First Day Post Office Cancellations.
  • Geigy advertising cover addressed to Mr. Siegel (Assistant Direct General of the W.H.O.) and the contents of the envelope.
  • Cover with Special Delivery Rate.
  • Cover sent to England with Postage Due

 

The World United Against Malaria

The U.S. 4 cent issue for the eradication of malaria

 

References

 

http://www.malariastamps.com/

(Larry Fillion, 1998-2007) My full collection of 5000+ malaria items.

 

http://www.malariastamps.com/Info_UnitedStates.asp

(Larry Fillion, 1998-2007) Many of the Cachets scanned. (10+ more to do)

 

http://www.malariastamps.com/Philatelic_Release_5.asp

All pages of the Post Office Philatelic Release No. 5

 

http://www.malariastamps.com/Publicity_Leaflet_5.asp

All pages of the United States Information Service Leaflet F-62-49

 

http://www.malariastamps.com/UnitedStates_Waldau.asp

The newly discovered Waldau items

 

http://www.malariastamps.com/UnitedStates_Geigy.asp

Full contents of the Geigy advertising letter.

 

http://www.malariastamps.com/References.asp

Complete list of 20+ references for the full website.

 

http://www.malariastamps.com/MMPI.asp

Miasma Philatelist, 1979-1986, 21 Journals online in PDF format

             

World Health Organization Resolutions (located at http://www.who.int/en/)

EB26/29, EB27/24, EB28/17, EB29/45, EB30/11, EB31/39, EB34/19,

C.L.6.1961, A15/AFL/19, A16/AFL/13, WHA8.30, WHA15.47, WHA16.18