In an attempt to interest young people in the hobby of philately, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) partnered with movie director Steven Spielberg to put out a series of E.T. stamps. The E.T. stamps were clever and imaginative. Steven Spielberg himself wrote a lengthy forward about these stamps in the UN's album. They proved to be hot sellers not just among children but also among more practiced philatelists.

The United Nations has printed stamps to commemorate all sorts of occasions, including the independence of the African nation of Namibia in 1991. This issuance, ''Namibia, A New Nation--A Trust Fulfilled,'' garnered international recognition from human rights groups and Namibians alike. United Nations stamps have also been issued to help fight AIDS, to protect the environment, and to commemorate important world historical figures.

As with many institutions under the aegis of the United Nations, however, the politics of the UNPA has been, at times, quite complicated. Currently, three countries have agreements in place with the UN to sell United Nations stamps. The U.S. made such an agreement in 1951. Switzerland followed suit in December, 1968, and Austria did the same 10 years later, in August, 1979.

The UNPA makes a special point to limit its United nations stamp printings to 12 months. If a United Nations stamp sells out before 12 months, no reprints are made. Similarly, any prints left over after a twelve-month period immediately get destroyed. This ensures the continued rarity and high value of UN stamps, but unprepared philatelists must scramble to take advantage of hot sellers.