Originally published in “United Nations Postage Stamps” by the United Nations Department of Public Information, New York in 1956.

The United Nations Postal Administration has drawn upon the talents of artists of many nations and varying backgrounds for the designs for the Organization’s first stamps. It was felt that designs should come from artists representing as many different cultures as possible, so that diverse interpretations of the international concept might be reflected in the stamps.

This brief profile of Mexican designer Leon Helguera begins a series focusing on the extent to which the artistic talents of many nations and many cultures have been utilized.

Leon Helguera
One of the eight designs chosen for the first regular issue of United Nations stamps was the work of Leon Helguera, a commercial designer and illustrator, whose design was used for the 1½ and 50 cent denominations.

Born in Mexico, Mr. Helguera worked as an illustrator and cartoonist for several Mexican publications before coming to the United States. In 1943, his design tor a stamp honoring the United Nations was chosen by the United States Post Office Department in a contest among leading American artists. Since then, he has designed stamps for the United States and the United Nations. (See also 1953 Canadian Jewish Chronicle article.)

1951

1953