Stamps

Following the establishment of the British Antarctic Territory in 1962, the first stamps were issued in 1963 and have been avidly collected around the world ever since. The first British Antarctic stamps to be released were a beautiful set of engraved definitive stamps featuring scenes of the Antarctic with values ranging from ½d to one pound. More recent issues have drawn the world’s attention to the hole in the Ozone layer discovered by BAS scientists and commemorated the critical meeting of The Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting hosted in Edinburgh.

The two Royal Research ships Ernest Shackleton and the James Clark Ross carry their own “Antarctic Postmen” whose job it is to look after new issue stamps that are being transported down to BAT, arrange for their distribution to the various Stations on arrival and if required help with the cancelling of letters and covers at the bases.  Stamps are used by staff on the bases and also by the many tourists visiting Port Lockroy.  However the majority of BAT stamps are sold to collectors across the world.

Stamps are produced for the Government of BAT by CASCO Philatelic Services and current editions are available from their retail arm Harry Allen.  Historic editions are available from reputable stamp dealers.