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Polar Publications

The following polar publications are currently available to order through the society. Please contact the webmaster to order!

The Antarctic Compendium - Antarctic History From Discovery to the Present Day

A new reference written by Polar Postal History Society Member, Stephen Bennett, presenting the history of human activities on the Antarctic continent and the Sub-Antarctic Islands. Written for both the general public and the specialist philatelic collector.

“The Antarctic Compendium” is a 2 volume work of over 1,000 pages and is packed full of information of interest to anyone interested in the Antarctic and Sub-antarctic islands.

 The encyclopaedic format is perfect for the quick look-up of:

  •  2000+ Stamps issued from 50 countries
  • 40 thematic indexes of stamp issues: from Aircraft to Whales
  • 200+ Antarctic stations
  • 50+ National Antarctic Programmes
  • 1,000+ Illustrations, photos and maps
  • 1,000+ Expeditions, expeditionaries & their ships
  • Hundreds of science experiments
  • Extensively cross-referenced entries
  • Guides to further reading and online resources

      and many other fascinating insights!

 The Compendium also just came away with a medal for polar literature excellence at the recent Polar Salon held in the Czech Republic.

You can view sample pages  here and also order your own copy.

 A special offer is available to PPHSGB members where The Antarctic Compendium cost is 90 pounds delivered to your door from a publisher with printing facilities in the US, UK and Australia.

Jean-Baptiste Charcot in the Antarctic  November 24th 2020

Jean-Baptiste Charcot in the Antarctic Whose Mail Documents Its History
Preface by Hal Vogel
Serge Kahn presents the first postal history of the two Antarctic expeditions led by J.-B. Charcot between 1903 and 1910.
Bilingual French/English book. Format 24 x 32 cm. 272 pages. More than 700 illustrations. Publication January 2021
Retail price: 45 euros - Postage outside France and packing: 20 euros
Contact Serge Kahn for ordering.
Subscription price 50 euros postage and packing included before 15 January 2021

CommuniquéEN.pdf

THE SPECIALISED STAMP CATALOGUE OF THE FALKLAND ISLANDS AND DEPENDENCIES INCLUDING POSTAL HISTORY AND CANCELLATIONS 1800 - 2020 May 6th 2020

This is the most comprehensive stamp catalogue of Falkland Islands stamps ever produced. In the catalogue you will find information about and prices (based on market values and auction realisations) for: All issued stamps of the Falkland Islands, the Dependencies, South Georgia and British Antarctic Territory, including prices for mint, used and on cover, with illustrations of most stamps. All major varieties including watermark varieties, printing errors, flaws etc with many illustrations, essays, proofs, printer’s samples etc. Postal Stationery from Queen Victoria to the latest issues including essays, proofs and varieties, with illustrations of every item. All postmarks and cancellations used in the Falkland Islands, the Dependencies, South Georgia and British Antarctic Territory, with prices for single stamps and covers and full size illustrations. The Miscellaneous chapter contains every other possible aspect of Falkland Islands philately in 50 sections. Non-philatelic collectables: Paper Money, Coins, Telephone Cards and Tokens. You will also find general information about the Falkland Islands and the Dependencies, full listings of Postal Rates, Printing Dates and Numbers Printed of every stamp up to 1985, Numbers Destroyed, General Philatelic Information about Papers, Perforations and Watermarks of Falkland Islands stamps.

SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE SEVENTH EDITION: 32 years after the first edition of this catalogue was published in 1988, and seven years after the sixth edition, this new catalogue continues where the previous edition ended, with many references to websites and online guides for even deeper knowledge!

A large number of varieties have been added as well, and the interest in many of these varieties is growing once they are listed in the catalogue. Some sections of the catalogue have been re-written, and a lot of details have been updated. The catalogue has grown by 16 pages since the 6th edition, and this is not only due to the addition of recent issues, but also to the expansion of earlier sections.  Naturally everything else in the catalogue is entirely updated as well, including prices and data. An unbelievable amount of new information throughout the entire catalogue has also been added. There is probably not one single page which hasn’t been changed compared to the sixth edition, and many pages have been completely re-written!

THIS CATALOGUE IS INDISPENSABLE TO EVERY COLLECTOR OF FALKLAND ISLANDS STAMPS.

The catalogue, which is hardbound and contains 288 pages full of information, has an unchanged recommended retail price (in Great Britain) of £34. It is also available on CD-ROM in PDF format. Recommended retail price (in Great Britain) £24. It can be ordered directly from Stefan Heijtz and the shipping cost is £2 world wide by airmail.

See more at http://www.novastamps.com/stefan/Sidor/specFI.html

Antarctic Publications  December 8th 2019

Paul Wales of Classic Stamps in New Zealand has several Antarctic publications published in book or monograph form.

'A Postal History of Ross Dependency, 1955-77'. Mark Jurisich. 187 pages. 400+ photos. Ask for the additional postage cost. Was $45, Now NZ$25 (including GST). Weight = 0.58kg.

A Postal history of Ross DependencyJPG

'A Postal History of The Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1955-58' (Mark Jurisich, FRPSNZ). 57 pages in full colour. Limited number printed. 120+ covers (many signed. Hillary, Fuchs etc).Enquire for postage cost (0.27kg). NZ$45

A Postal History of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic ExpeditionJPG

'A Postal History of Campbell Island' 1907-2001. Mark Jurisich. 58 pages with images, maps etc. Ask for the additional postage cost (0.18kg). NZ$10

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'Postmarks of Argentine Antarctic Bases'. 2001. Mark Jurisich/Kevin Brown. 27 pages. Describes and illustrates the postal markings of the 22 bases (0.11kg). NZ$15

Postmarks of Argentine Antarctic BasesJPG

'South Africa's Sub-Antarctic & Antarctic Weather Stations. 1947-1990'. Mark Jurisich. 45 pages with images, maps etc. Marion, Gough and Prince Edward Islands and SANAE. Fault on cover top right. Ask for the additional postage. NZ$20

South Africa Sub-AntarcticJPG

Other titles are available in print form or on a DVD/CD:

* 'A Postal History of Campbell Island' (55Mb).

* 'A Postal History of the Joint New Zealand - United States Hallett Station Antarctica' (225Mb).
* 'The Postmarks of Ross Dependency' (13.5Mb).
* 'Ross Dependency Stamp Issues' (1.8Mb).
* 'Ross Dependency Historic Huts Restoration' (39.6Mb).
* 'The Postmarks of Argentine Antarctic Bases' (1.3Mb).
* 'The Postmarks of Chilean Antarctic Bases' (1.4Mb).
* 'Postal History of Italian Antarctic 1957-1995' (14.7Mb).
* 'The Postal History of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1955-58' (161Mb).
* 'The Postmarks of Deep Freeze Antarctic Bases' (19Mb).
* 'Operation Deep Freeze Picket Ships' (23Mb).

Contact Paul directly here if interested!

Operation Tabarin and its postal history 1943-45

Gold Medal for "Operation Tabarin" publication at Spring Stampex 2019

It is with pleasure that we announce the award of a Gold medal to our president, Gerry Pearce, for his book "Operation Tabarin and its Postal History" in the Philatelic Literature class at Stampex. Well done Gerry!

The book is available to order below.

The detailed account of Operation Tabarin was researched by the author, Gerry Pearce, from source material and personal accounts. Copies of the book can be ordered from Gerry from the specially created Operation Tabarin website or by e-mail. The price of the book is £27 with additional postage and packing of £3 to Great Britain, £10 to Europe and £16.50 to the rest of the world.

“Operation Tabarin” was a Second World War mission to the Antarctic, far removed from the major theatre of battle but nevertheless considered of vital political and strategic importance in the safeguarding of British Sovereign Land. Conducted by the Admiralty on behalf of the Colonial Office, the Expedition was organised and executed under orders of the strictest secrecy. The men were drawn from a combination of military and civilian occupations and all were volunteers.


This book looks at the Operation from the previously unexplored aspect of the political importance of the special stamps produced, and mail sent and received through the operation of Post Offices at the permanently occupied Antarctic bases. Previously unpublished pictures and extracts from Government records are featured.


Departing Great Britain by ship at the end of 1943, their objective was to establish two permanently manned bases within the territory of the Falkland Islands Dependencies, with the following aims:

1. To ensure a British presence in the Antarctic to discourage enemy activity, particularly to prevent harbours and stocks of shipping oil falling into enemy hands.

2. To strengthen British claims to sovereignty of the Falkland Islands Dependencies, to which Argentina and Chile had made counter claims.

Permission was also given to carry out scientific research in the areas where the bases were established.

Never before, nor since, has an Antarctic expedition laid such emphasis on special stamp issues and post offices, as befell Operation Tabarin. It was conceived and executed during World War II, primarily to strengthen British claims to sovereignty of the Falkland Islands Dependencies. Permanent occupancy was deemed essential to resist claims by other nations and a pivotal feature of this was demonstrated by establishing post offices, handling the sending and receiving of mail, thus demonstrating and reinforcing sovereignty over the territory.

The British Government also saw the potential to recover some of the cost of mounting Operation Tabarin in 1943, by hurriedly ordering the specially overprinted Falkland Islands stamps, named for the Dependencies. These were: Graham Land, South Shetlands, South Orkneys and South Georgia.

Polar Philatelic Books by our late member Fred Goldberg

A philatelic exposé over SA Andrée's fatal balloon flight towards the North Pole

This book contains the most extensive illustrations of books and postcards from the expedition where Andrée attempted to fly by balloon to the North Pole. The book is easily read and designed as a polar exhibit. It begins with Andrée's upbringing and how he tested different balloons in the 1880s and 90s. Correspondence and relevant documents explain how the North Pole expedition was planned, and feature many unique letters and postcards both from the 1896 expedition (where the balloon launch was postponed) and the eventual 1897 flight from Spitsbergen. Further philatelic illustrations and text highlight the rescue expeditions that looked for the lost Swedish explorers without success, and how the mystery of what happened to the expedition was solved in 1930. It is a great compilation in the form of photographs, letters and postcards with excellent illustrations and documentation. Price: £15 plus postage


A philatelic exposé of the first Swedish Antarctic Expedition led by Dr Otto Nordenskjöld 1901-1903 – This book shows mail from the first Swedish Antarctic Expedition led by Otto Nordenskjöld and includes postcards, telegrams, and photographs. The exhibit tells the dramatic story of the expedition, describing its route and timetable with covers and cards sent from every port of call. Price £15 plus postage

Roald Amundsen Expedition Mail, Letters, Postcards and Stamps, 64 pages - Price: £10 plus postage

Drama in the Arctic, SOS Italia – The search for Nobile and Amundsen, A Diary and Postal History, 140 pages. Price: £15 plus postage

Antarctic Mail – From the Heroic Era when Ships were made of Wood and Men of Steel, 40 pages. Price: £15 plus postage

  Please contact the webmaster to order!

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