Postage stamps and postal history of the British Antarctic Territory
Bases
There are a number of current and former bases in the territory:
- Halley
- Rothera
- Signy was operated from 1947 until 1996 and now is staffed only in the summer.[2]
- Two summer-only forward operating stations, at Fossil Bluff and Sky Blu.
- Akademik Vernadsky Station.[3]
- UK Antarctic Heritage Trust.
Mail is found from all of these bases, although most of it is
Postage stamps
All stamps issued to date have been issued during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. While some are actually used by visiting tourists and resident scientists, the bulk are sold overseas to collectors. The first issue came in 1963, an engraved set with 15 values ranging from ½d to one pound, featuring a portrait of
Since then, stamps have come out at regular intervals, about 10-20 per year in several sets, with a full
Prior to the establishment of the territory in 1962, stamps were issued for the South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, and Graham Land as parts of the Falkland Islands Dependencies.
All postage stamps of the
First day covers
The Falkland Islands Philatelic Bureau acts as the sales agent for the British Antarctic Territory. Unlike some Antarctic postal administrations, all official
The Antarctic Postman
The Antarctic Postman, based at Port Stanley, visits BAT bases by ship to officially release new stamps and the stamps are not otherwise available for sale until this has happened. The date of the visit is recorded and the stamps are then released at the Falkland Islands Philatelic Bureau, at Port Lockroy for tourists, and elsewhere.[6]
References
- ^ "Country Profile: Antarctica". Archived from the original on 2012-08-01. Retrieved 2012-08-01. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
- ^ "Signy Research Station". British Antarctic Survey. Archived from the original on 2011-03-03. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
- ^ "Faraday Station - History". British Antarctic Survey. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
- ^ "British Antarctic Territory". StampWorldHistory.com. Archived from the original on 4 May 2018.
- ^ "British Antarctic Territory". Archived from the original on 2013-04-12. Retrieved 2013-06-19. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
- ^ "British Antarctic Territory". Archived from the original on 2006-10-04. Retrieved 2010-03-06. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
Bibliography
- Heijtz, Stefan. Specialised Stamp Catalogue of The Falkland Islands and Dependencies including postal history and cancellations, 1800-2013, with British Antarctic Territory. Stockholm: S. Heijtz, 2014 272p.
- Pirie, J. H. Harvey. Antarctic Posts and Stamps. Batley, Yorks.: Harry Hayes, 1975 71p.
- Vogel, Hal. Essence of polar philately. American Society of Polar Philatelists, 2008.0862-7
- Youle, John H. Postmarks and Cachets of the British Antarctic Bases and South Georgia; Including: Cachets associated with the royal research ships when in Antarctic waters and the Royal Naval Antarctic patrol vessels HMS Protector and HMS Endurance 1 & 2. Bridlington: J. Youle, 2001 188p. Addendum 2009 here.