Polar Mail and the Exploration of Space on Postage Stamps.

The greatest scientific explorations and discoveries of the last decades were naturally reflected in philately, especially as far as the polar regions and space is concerned. A great number of thematic collections were formed dealing with these two subject areas. Their level, though, is extremely varied. In neither case will a simple accumulation of material produce a good collection, no matter how interesting it is.

Those who want to take up a collection of polar mail will have to study the history of Arctic and Antarctic exploration and follow all new items in the daily and scientific press. They must know which countries send expeditions, which ships sail and when, what stations are being established and what flights being undertaken. The philatelic press will be useful; some magazines carry regular columns on polar mail items. The deeper the collector’s knowledge, the better the collection.

The number of stamps showing polar themes issued in recent years is large enough, but stamps alone cannot satisfy and intelligent philatelist. Naturally, he will include in his collection polar postmarks and will be looking for mail items – covers and cards. There is enough modern material available, but important items can be missed. It will therefore be useful to establish contacts with reliable exchange partners abroad, especially in countries that send expeditions to the polar regions. There the necessary material can best be found. It will be much more difficult to acquire mail documents and philatelic material from pioneer times. For instance, how many postcards carried in 1914 by Fram, the boat used for Amundsen’s voyage, is offered for sale? Try to obtain a cover from Byrd’s Antarctic expedition of 1929. It is very difficult and expensive.

No specialised catalogue exists dealing with polar mail. This makes things difficult for the collector but, on the other hand, it increases the chances of discovering something unknown or forgotten.

The exploration of space is a sector of philately that has increased in popularity in the past few years. After the first space flights, a flood of stamps featuring space themes was printed all over the world and also many first day covers and postmarks were used.