The Polar Postal History Society

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South Georgia 1906 to 1937 - Stefan Heijtz

South Georgia South Georgia, a large island which lies about 800 miles east-south-east of the Falkland Islands, is a lonely outpost in the South Polar regions.

South Georgia was discovered by La Roche in 1675 and in January 1775 James Cook re-discovered the island and named it in honour of King George III.

The main settlement, Grytviken, was named by members of the Swedish South Polar Expedition who explored the island in 1902.

From soon after the turn of the century a whaling industry gave South Georgia considerable economic importance. By 1909 seven companies operated on the island, the industry expanded rapidly, and with it the population which was largely seasonal and Scandinavian.

Some form of governmental administration was now called for and a Stipendiary Magistrate was appointed. His duties included that of Postmaster and thus the first Post Office in the Dependencies was opened.

This display shows the development of the Postal Service on the island and includes commercial mail with examples of all the different provisional handstamps, bisects and surcharges. The highlights are the large and small "South Georgia" Imprints 1909-1911, the "Paid at South Georgia" handstamps 1911-1912, WWI censor mail, the 1923 and 1930 provisional bisects, and the 1928 provisional surcharge.

Illustrated is a 1923 bisected 6d. stamp used as 3d. on a commercial cover to New York.

South Shetlands 1907 to 1931 - Stefan Heijtz

1913 PORT FOSTER imprint on piece from a commercial cover to Norway The South Shetlands is a group of more or less ice-bound islands lying some 600 miles south of the Falkland Islands. They were first discovered by Dick Gerritz, a Dutch navigator, and re-discovered by William Smith in the Williams in February 1819. He called the islands New South Britain but this was soon changed to the New South Shetlands, afterwards shortened to the South Shetlands. In 1820 Edward Bransfield visited the islands and took formal possession for the British Crown. Henry Foster in the Chanticleer made magnetic observations on the islands in 1830 and the harbour at Deception Island, Port Foster, is named after him.

There was no commercial activity until about 1905 when whaling commenced. In 1910 Deception Island became an important whaling centre with a shore factory at Port Foster. It was opened each year in October or November at the beginning of the whaling season and closed in the following March or April. The mails were carried in the ships which passed through Stanley to and from the fishing grounds. A Magistrate appointed by the Governor of the Falkland Islands sailed with the fleet and from the 1912-1913 season he also acted as Postmaster, his headquarters being at the shore station.

This display shows the development of the Postal Service on the island and includes several examples of the "Port Foster" imprint 1913, and commercial mail to and from the island.

Illustrated is the 1913 PORT FOSTER imprint on piece from a commercial cover to Norway.

Operation Tabarin (Naval Party 475) - Gerry Pearce

From the start of the 20th Century, the British claim to the Falkland Islands and Dependencies had been contested by both Argentina and Chile, claiming essentially the same territory.

With the outbreak of the Second World War, the threat to British Sovereignty increased, eventually resulting in an expedition under Admiralty control, being despatched from London to the Antarctic, to establish permanently occupied bases.

The expedition, code named "Operation Tabarin", arrived in the Antarctic in February 1944 and opened a base on Deception Island in the South Shetlands and another on the Graham Land coast at Port Lockroy.

Although tasked with a programme of scientific work, the primary aim of the expedition was political. The establishment and demonstrable ongoing use of official Post Offices in the territory, was used as proof of Sovereignty.

Current issues of Falkland Islands postage stamps up to the 1/- value, were overprinted with the names of the four Dependencies - South Shetlands, South Orkneys, Graham Land and South Georgia and hand cancellers were issued bearing the names of the Dependencies.

Mail was despatched from the bases and token cancellations of mail made on the expedition ships, in the vicinity of the South Orkneys. Further mailings continued throughout the war after which the bases came under civilian control.

The Cancellations of the Falkland Islands Dependencies of South Shetlands, South Orkneys and Graham Land 1944 to 1950 - Gerry Pearce

Following increasing territorial claims to the Falkland Islands and Dependencies by Argentina and Chile, the British Government mounted an expedition in 1943, to establish permanently manned bases in the British sector of the Antarctic.

Code-named Operation Tabarin, this expedition built bases in the South Shetlands and at Port Lockroy on the Graham Land coast. Special stamps were issued for the Dependencies and two rubber hand cancellers were produced for the two bases and for the South Orkneys, where it was planned to build a base later. The cancellers were made with removable date slugs and mailing dates tended generally to coincide with ship visits.

In the southern summer of 1945, a new base was built at Hope Bay and one of the Port Lockroy cancellers was taken for use there. During 1946 and 1947 bases were established in the South Orkneys, at Stonington and Argentine Islands off the Graham Land coast and at Admiralty Bay, South Shetlands. Each base had its own rubber canceller. During 1948/49 all the rubber cancellers were replaced with metal ones. Whilst the basic design remained the same throughout, there are minor differences of format which help to identify the precise location and dates of usage.

The Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1955 to 1958 - H. E. J. Evans

carried by the Trans-Antarctic Crossing from Shackleton Base to Scott Base Led by Sir Vivian Fuchs and Edmund Hilary, the object of the expedition was to complete the last great journey - the crossing of Antarctica from the Weddell Sea to the Ross Sea. Bases were established named "Shackleton" and "Scott" where post offices were opened and special stamps issued.

The exhibit shows covers sent by the advance parties in 1956, the overwintering and crossing groups, supply ships and aircraft, with some actually carried on the 2160 mile traverse. A variety of transport was used including dogs, sno-cat and tractor with air backup by Auster and Otter planes. The ice-strengthened vessels Theron and Magga Dan were chartered for the Weddell Sea group and Endeavour for the Ross Sea support party.

From October 1957 to January 1958, the New Zealand support party charted a route from Scott Base to the South Pole and cached supplies and food en-route. The actual crossing from Shackleton Base was from 24th November 1957 to 2nd March 1958 with a stop an the United States South Pole Station from 20th to 24th January 1958.

Examples of covers from all stages of the expedition are included in the exhibit. The illustrated cover was carried by the Trans-Antarctic Crossing from Shackleton Base to Scott Base via the South Pole.

F.I.D./ IGY Base Postmarks 1954 to 1960 - Gerald Marriner

Underpaid mail with a Falkland Tax mark This display shows a study of the single circle datestamps brought into use for the various British Antarctic Bases during the 1950's and 1960.

These bases were situated throughout four areas of Antarctica. There were two in the South Shetlands at Base B (Deception Island) and Base G (Admiralty Bay).

There was one base at South Orkney Islands at Base H (Signy Island).

There were nine bases on the Graham Land peninsula. These included 1940's bases at Base A (Port Lockroy); Base D (Hope Bay); Base E (Stonington Island); and Base F (Argentine Islands). Five new bases were established in this area during the 1950's - Base J (Prospect Point); Base N (Anvers Island); Base O (Danco Coast); Base W (Loubet Coast); and Base Y (Marguerite Bay). Finally, there was one base at Coats Land - Base Z (Halley Bay).

A brief history of the bases is given in addition to the postmarks. Two different datestamps were used in this period at Base J and Base W. Some of these datestamps were only in use for a short period. The display shows examples on ordinary and registered mail. Underpaid mail with a Falkland Tax mark and an example of incoming mail from the UK are also shown.

B.A.T. Base Postmarks of the 1970s and 1980s - Geoffrey Barber

the Halley Bay rubber postmark in Following the high activity levels of the I.G.Y., the 1970s and 80s settled back to four main bases, plus a two-season presence of the Joint Services Expedition to Brabant Island.

In addition to the nominal 1" (24 mm) metal cds at these four, each base had one or more rubber postmarks as well, which tended to be short-lived, or to vary in state.

Most interesting of these were the "HALLEY/BAY" types from 1972 to 1980, of which four differentiable wear states are shown.

SIGNY ISLAND / SOUTH ORKNEYS includes the plural error "ISLANDS", whilst the "ADELAIDE / ISLAND" cancel shown is known used for six days only.

Commander John Farmar of the HMS ENDURANCE helicopter flight took particular pains to document covers of all military events at the BRABANT ISLAND post office between 1983 and 1985. Included are flown covers signed both by Cdr Farmar and Sir Rex Hunt, and include the date error 17 FEB 1983 (12 months before opening of post office).

Illustrated is the HALLEY BAY rubber postmark in "State III" 9 FEB 1975. The frame is thick and distorted, vaguely octagonal. In this crude 27 mm form, the top-right sector re-emerges, but the frame above HALLEY and beneath BAY fails to register fully.

British Naval Ice Patrol Vessels - John Youle

the Halley Bay rubber postmar Following the high activity levels of the I.G.Y., the 1970s and 80s settled back to four main bases, plus a two-season presence of the Joint Services Expedition to Brabant Island.

In addition to the nominal 1" (24 mm) metal cds at these four, each base had one or more rubber postmarks as well, which tended to be short-lived, or to vary in state.

Most interesting of these were the "HALLEY/BAY" types from 1972 to 1980, of which four differentiable wear states are shown.

SIGNY ISLAND / SOUTH ORKNEYS includes the plural error "ISLANDS", whilst the "ADELAIDE / ISLAND" cancel shown is known used for six days only.

Australian Antarctic Territory - Alison Painter

a signed letter from Sir Douglas Mawson This display of stamps, covers and cards of Australian Antarctic Territory [AAT] is an attempt to show the growth and development of the Territory after the Second World War. Australia established Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions [ANARE] in 1947.

Heard Island - lies in the Southern Indian Ocean approximately half-way between Western Australia and South Africa and 900 miles north of the Antarctic. The Base was set up in 1947 but closed in 1955 as a full-time Base, now primarily a summer Base.

Macquarie Island - the second Island Base was established in 1948 and is still operational.

Mawson - the first permanent Australian mainland Base on the Antarctic Continent opened in 1954 and was named after Sir Douglas Mawson.

Wilkes - established by the Americans for the IGY, then handed over to Australia, closed in February 1969.

Casey - purpose-built Base to replace Wilkes, completed in 1969. Since re-built and still operational.

Davis the second mainland Base opened in 1957, named after Capt. John King Davis; it was temporarily closed on 25.1.1965 but re-opened in 1969.

Illustrated is a signed letter from Sir Douglas Mawson.

Red is for Danger: the "Dan" ships of the Antarctic - Margery Wharton

Macquarie Island - the second Island Base was established in 1948 and is still operational.

Mawson - the first permanent Australian mainland Base on the Antarctic Continent opened in 1954 and was named after Sir Douglas Mawson.

Wilkes - established by the Americans for the IGY, then handed over to Australia, closed in February 1969.

Casey - purpose-built Base to replace Wilkes, completed in 1969. Since re-built and still operational.

Davis the second mainland Base opened in 1957, named after Capt. John King Davis; it was temporarily closed on 25.1.1965 but re-opened in 1969.

Illustrated is a signed letter from Sir Douglas Mawson.

Charcot in the Antarctic - Serge Kahn

related cards and covers from the French Antarctic Expeditions led by Jean-Baptiste Charcot between 1903 and 1910 A display of the two French Antarctic Expeditions led by Jean-Baptiste Charcot between 1903 and 1910 with related cards and covers mainly from these expeditions.

Charcot was born the son of a renowned French neurologist. Graduating as a doctor, but not wanting to follow in his father's footsteps, Charcot embarked on a career of polar exploration.

In 1903, he built a ship named Français a three-masted schooner, 32 meters long, and organised, with government assistance, a national Antarctic expedition, the first French expedition to overwinter, accurately surveying in 1903-05 the western side of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Almost 1,000 kilometres of new coasts and islands were sketched and charted, and the expedition returned with 75 packing cases containing the results of its work.

In 1907, the most modern polar ship known to that date, named Pourquoi-Pas?, a three-masted barque, 40 meters long, took eight months to build at the Saint-Malo shipyards in France.

In 1908-10 on board Pourquoi-Pas?, Charcot extended his work along the Antarctic Peninsula, exploring 2,000 kilometres of unknown coastline and collecting enough material to fill a 28-volume treatise, illustrated with some of the 3,000 photographs taken during the voyage.

Postal History of Adélie Land (1949-1959) - Serge Kahn

air mail stamp of Madagascar with overprint A display covering the opening of the post office in Adélie Land and the postal history of this French sector of the Antarctic until the International Geophysical Year.

Adélie Land was discovered on 20 January 1840 during the French naval expedition of 1837-40 commanded by Dumont d'Urville on board Astrolabe and Jacquinot on board Zilie.

On 26 October 1948 the French post office issued the current 100 francs CFA (equivalent of 200 metropolitan francs) air mail stamp of Madagascar with the overprint "Terre Adélie Dumont d'Urville - 1840".

On 28 November the expedition's ship Commandant Charcot sailed for the Antarctic to land a wintering party. The vessel was provided with a stock of the "Terre Adélie" stamps, a full range of Madagascar stamps, and a cancelling datestamp.

Commandant Charcot reached the pack ice off Adélie Land in February 1949, and the covers were duly cancelled. No passage through the pack ice was found and the expedition returned to France. The cancelled covers were not delivered, but kept for a second attempt to reach Adélie Land which finally succeeded in 1950.

Then Commandant Charcot, Totton and Norsel reached Adélie Land respectively in 1951, 1952-1953 and 1956-1957-1958-1959 with related mail.

Whaling in the Antarctic - Robert McMillan

Whaling in the Antarctic Before the first World War Norwegian coastal whaling had spread to whaling grounds all over the world. During this war, whaling was abandoned everywhere with the exception of the Antarctic as whale stocks were becoming depleted. As early as 1892 and 1893 the Sandefjord ship-owner Christian Christensen sent the Jason to the Antarctic to explore whaling prospects.

The leader of these expeditions, Capt. C. A. Larsen, later interested Argentine businessmen in catching off South Georgia and they formed the Compania Argentina de Pesca which began operations from Grytviken in 1904. Under Capt. Larsen's command whaling was carried out from small steamships based on a shore station for the production of oil. Crews and equipment were Norwegian. In 1911 there were 15 whaling companies. These were based on the whaling grounds of South Georgia and South Shetlands.

In 1925 Britain claimed sovereignty over all the Antarctic Islands and whaling was therefore dependent on leases from the Crown. This led to lengthy disputes between Britain, Norway, Argentina and Chile. When Britain increased the export duty on whale oil and threatened to withhold Norwegian concessions, the Norwegians developed floating factory ships which were capable of processing the carcasses on deck. During the 1930 - 31 seasons 41 expeditions and 6 land stations with a total of 232 whale catchers were operating in the Antarctic.

After the Second World War catch limits were introduced after a depletion of stocks and plummeting of prices. This quota was gradually lowered until Norway gave up whaling during the 1967 - 69 seasons.