In the last 100 years, 'Terra Australis Incognita', the 'Hidden Southern Land', has been slowly unveiling its secrets after spending a lifetime in forbidding silence. It's 14 million square kilometres of ice and snow is described as being the driest, coldest and windiest place in the world. Yet, undeniably, this cruel continent commands an air of awesome significance and supreme beauty.
On the southern most tip of Ross Island, located on the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf on the Antarctic continent, is Scott Base, established in 1957 to support New Zealand's participation in the International Geophysical Year scientific research programme. Since then it has been continuously occupied by scientists and support staff. Other bases have been established including Vanda Station on the shores of Lake Vanda in the Dry Valley region of Victoria Land on the Antarctic continent proper, and at Cape Bird on the northern tip of Ross Island, 100 kilometres from Scott Base. The seasons govern the population and the work carried out but always the base is manned.
24c - Geological Research - at Shapeless Mountain.
New Zealand geologists have for many years conducted study programmes of the Beacon Supergroup rock formations of Shapeless Mountain and Mt Fleming at the head of the Wright Valley in the Dry Valley's region of Antarctica.
Studies carried out by New Zealanders in the Ross Dependency have led to a great variety of fossil discoveries. These remnants are evidence of the likely measure of mineral deposits they can expect to find in this land.
40c - Biological Research - Seal Colonies.
New Zealand scientists have contributed to extensive research into seal colonies. These colonies abound in the Ross Dependency and in the coastal areas of Ross Island.
58c - Glaciological Research - 'Winkle' Drilling.
'Winkle' drilling equipment has been used by scientists for a drilling programme in the Lower Taylor Valley. Core samples obtained from drill holes ranging in depth between 80 and 120 metres have, after analysis, added considerably to the geological knowledge and climatic history of the region.
70c - Meteorological Research.
Both New Zealand's Scott Base and Vanda Station in the Dry Valley's region of Antarctica conduct important meteorological studies. These include daily climatic observations along with continuous wind, temperature, pressure and solar radiation recordings. These observations provide data which is regularly transmitted to the New Zealand Meteorological Service.
1984 Antarctic Research Miniature Sheet.
I really like this miniature sheet. It shows an NZRAF C-130 Hercules being unloaded on the ice near Scott Base. Nice mixture of modern transport equipment with a dog team in front.
First Day Cover showing all four values.
Miniature Sheet on a First Day Cover.
This is not a FDC but just an example of the 70c value on a cover being sent from Kumeu, North/west of Auckland to Sussex in England. Of course, this is possible because this issue is a normal New Zealand stamp issue but if it had been a Ross Dependency issue then the stamp would have been invalid for postage in Kumeu.
Plate block set for this issue.
Four nice clean plate blocks, one of each value, showing the bottom left corner selvedge with the designer and printer.
1984 24c Antarctic Research Plate Block of 8 stamps.
1984 40c Antarctic Research Plate Block of 8 stamps.
1984 58c Antarctic Research Plate Block of 6 stamps.
1984 70c Antarctic Research Plate Block of 6 stamps.
A quantity of the miniature sheets were overprinted with 'National Youth Philatelic Exhibition' cross the top and a penguin on either side to support the Stampex '85 National Youth Philatelic Exhibition which was held in Christchurch from the 29th of August to the 1st of September 1985. The quality of the overprint is quite variable n quality.
Campbell Island.
Technical information
| Date of Issue: | 1 February 1984 |
|---|---|
| Designer: | R M Conly, Waikanae |
| Printers: | Cambec Press, Australia |
| Stamp Size: | 42mm x 30mm |
| Sheet Size: | 100 stamps per sheet |
| Process: | Lithography |
| Perforation Gauge: | 13.6x 13.2 |
| Paper Type: | Unwatermarked |
Well done. I use a good bit of the material for my Special Pages Album. What a great service, so often all you
ReplyDeletecan find out about a stamp from the 80's is the date of issue.
Thanks Harry,
DeleteGlad you found our blog useful. What is your Special Pages Album?
Mary